Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023 Pioneer Charter School hosts 16th and Engineering Fair (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release issued this week by the Pioneer Charter School.) Focusing on precinct issues is the goal of “Saugus Over Coffee.” A Saugus TV camera crew fi lmed the forum on Precinct 2 last week. Please see inside for more photos and stories. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) $3.48 The COVID-19 Update GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 Town reports 20 newly confi rmed cases; no new deaths By Mark E. Vogler T here were 20 newly confi rmed COVID-19 cases in Saugus over the past week through Wednesday (Feb. 22). The new cases reported by the state Department of Public Health (DPH) over the past week increased the overall total to 10,532 confirmed cases since the outbreak of the global pandemic in March of 2020, according to Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. This week’s total was a decrease of three over the number of newly confi rmed cases reported last week. There were no new COVID-19-related deaths over the past week, as the death toll remained at 109. “Our hearts and prayers go out to those families aff ected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said. Earlier this month, the campuses of the Pioneer Charter School of Science (PCSS) in Everett (PCSSI) and Saugus (PCSS2) hosted the 16th Annual Science and Engineering Fair. This year’s theme was “Reimagining Your Daily Life,” a concept celebrated by nearly 300 student participants. All of PCSS’ 6-12th grade students participated in a preliminary event in December, and then students were selected to participate in the fair. Judges for the fair were recruited from the STEM community in the Boston area, including MIT, MIT Lincoln Labs, New England Biolabs, Omega Pharmaceuticals, BU and Northeastern. Each year the Fair aims to allow students to use the scientific method or engineering design process to investigate a question or problem that interests them outside the general class curriculum. This also serves as a method for students to complete an independent research project as part of the PCSS college readiness program and assists students in developing the necessary skills in verbal and written scientifi c communication. The mission of PCSS is to prepare educationally under-resourced students for today’s competitive world. PCSS helps students develop the academic and social skills necessary to become successful professionals and exemplary community members through a rigorous academic curriculum emphasizing math and science. Balanced by a foundation in the humanities, a character education program, career-oriented college preparation and strong student-teacher-parent collaboration, PCSS will meet its mission. Annual Science Pioneer Charter School 2 eighth graders Grace from Saugus (left) and Lianna from Everett (right) are trying to solve the problem of single-use plastic waste from water bottles by creating a solar water distillation system to provide safe drinking water when none is otherwise available. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) Manoogian Files A “Citizens Right To Speak” Article for May’s Annual Town Meeting By Mark E. Vogler N early a dozen taxpaying Saugus residents were denied a chance to speak on an article at a Special Town Meeting last Oct. 24 when Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member William Brown made the motion to “move the question.” “That motion passed by one vote,” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian recalled. “As a result, the long-standing tradition of not silencing the public on matters before Town Meeting was broken,” Manoogian said Manoogian has authored an article for the May 1 Annual Town Meeting that would prevent such occurrences in the future. The proposed bylaw would require a 9/10 vote to shut out Saugus residents seeking the fl oor, according to the proposal. If the Moderator determines that no Saugus residents are seeking to be heard, then the 2/3 vote will remain. Citizens can fi le articles for consideration by Town Meeting up until April 4 when the warrant closes.
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