SAUGUS Advocate Online at: www.advocatenews.ne Advocate Online at: www.advocatenews.net Vol. 25, No. 8 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, February 24, 2023 DEFENDING HIS HONOR WIN Waste Signature Controversy Cogliano said he expects to “be cleared of any wrongdoing” By Mark E. Vogler B oard of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano said he was recently contacted by the state Ethics Commission regarding his eff orts to help WIN Waste Innovations defend itself in a federal lawsuit. But Cogliano said he doesn’t expect anything to come from the commission’s apparent probe into whether he acted improperly as a public offi cial by gathering signatures for WIN (formerly Wheelabrator Technologies) from Saugus residents whose testimony could challenge the lawsuit’s claims that WIN’s trash-to-energy plant on Route 107 was causing odor, Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano made a public statement at Wednesday night’s (Feb. 22) meeting, declaring he did nothing improper by collecting signatures of Saugus residents to help WIN Waste Innovations challenge a federal lawsuit that alleged the company’s trash-to-energy plant caused odor and noise problems. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....Nice Colonial offers spacious kitchen with maple cabinets, granite to Saugus Center. of rig f smartpho Vieww thhee interior y fthis home ght on yo our hone. dust and other problems. “Judging by the questions I was asked, I’m confi dent I’ll be cleared of any wrongdoing because I’m not paid by WIN and the town is not a party to the suit,” Cogliano told The Saugus Advocate Wednesday night. Earlier in the evening, Cogliano read a brief statement to fellow selectmen, disclosing that an Ethics Commission representative contacted him last Friday (Feb. 17) seeking answers to two questions. “Number One: ‘Are you employed and get compensation from Wheelabrator?’ The answer was “No,’” Cogliano said. “Question Number Two: ‘Is the Town of Saugus party to that class action lawsuit?’ The answer was ‘No.’ The gentleman from the state Ethics Commission said ‘Thank you Mr. Cogliano. Have a nice weekend,’” he said. “So, for those of you who want to make a big issue out of it, best of luck to you. That’s the truth and I guarantee nothing will come out of it.” Lawsuit cites alleged conflict of interests A motion filed in U.S. District Court in Boston earlier this month on behalf of Brenda Sweetland and others involved in a 2021 class action lawsuit against WIN over noxious odors and other quality of life issues seeks to have the declarations obtained by Cogliano excluded as evidence in the case. “Despite this obvious conflict of interest between Mr. Cogliano’s role as a public representative of Saugus residents and his support of Wheelabrator, and a new Host Community Agreement that will net the town millions in revenue, Wheelabrator solicited Mr. Cogliano to procure declarations that Wheelabrator intends to use in opposition to this lawsuit,” the court motion alleged. WIN WASTE | SEE PAGE 3 ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE 1978-2023 Celebrating 45 Years in Business! 7 Regular Unleaded $2.999 MidUnleaded $3.949 Super $3.999 Diesel Fuel $4.189 KERO By Container Only Heating Oil at the Pump DEF $4.759 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A A Sun. 9AM-5PM Prices subject to change Ask about our Heating Oil Conditioner! FLEET
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