THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023 Page 3 WIN WASTE | FROM PAGE 1 Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano (second from the left) off ers a public explanation at Wednesday night’s meeting on his role in obtaining signa“So, the signatures that I put “Jack Walsh, a subcontractor responsible for community outreach for Wheelabrator, approached Mr. Cogliano to ask if he knew anyone who could dispute the claims against Wheelabrator.” The motion also alleged that Cogliano “forged” the signatures of family, relatives and friends he knew instead of getting actual signatures from them. Later, an attorney representing WIN asked Cogliano to have the Saugus residents he had initially contacted sign their own declarations, which said that they didn’t experience any problems at the plant. In his statement to the board Wednesday night, Cogliano sought to explain why he believes the signatures controversy is no longer an issue. Cogliano readily admitted to signing declarations himself, while insisting he had permission from every person whose signature he signed in his own handwriting. “I got their permission to sign affi davits on their behalf and later had affi davits signed by them, and they were submitted to the plaintiff’s attorney,” Cogliano said. But the affi davits that Cogliano personally signed were not submitted as evidence, he stressed. on those papers were not part of any federal court case; they will not appear anywhere,” Cogliano told his colleagues. “In addition to the attorneys not using the documents that I signed, I also demanded that they eliminate all the signatures that I solicited. All my friends and family members had signed those declarations. They are all eliminated from the court proceedings as well,” he said. “Not a Board of Selectmen issue” A federal judge is expected to rule on the motion to exclude from evidence any of the signatures obtained by Cogliano to challenge the claims in the pending lawsuit. Other selectmen had an opportunity to share their views on the WIN signatures controversy. Only Selectman Corinne Riley, Cogliano’s closest ally on the board, made a comment on the situation. She read the following statement: “The only matter involving WIN that is in front of the Board of Selectmen now is the Host Community Agreement. First, the Board of Selectmen is not involved in any Class Action Lawsuit with WIN. Nor does that lawsuit have any bearing on a potential Host Community Agreement. So, there is no reason for me to comment on it. “Second, with regard to the signatures, the only time the Board of Selectmen has any authority is when they are in session. The signatures were gathered outside of session. So, again, it’s not a Board of Selectmen issue. “Further, Mr. Cogliano is not only a selectman, but like each of us, he is a private citizen as well. Elected offi cials don’t lose their rights to have an opinion on an issue. So, if he chose to work with WIN, that is his decision, just as any other private citizen gets to make their decision. “Mr. Cogliano has said that he should have handled it better and has publicly apologized to all involved. I accept that. The Board of Selectmen should move on and go about the business of the town.” Two selectmen told The Saugus Advocate last week that they found Cogliano’s efforts to help WIN Waste Innovations defend itself against a federal lawsuit a troubling confl ict of interest. “It is deeply concerning that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen would get signatures for WIN Waste knowing that there is a pending Civil Action lawsuit fi led by Saugus residents,” Board of Selectmen 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut St. We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-8 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Wednesday Thursday Friday Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Private Parties Private Parties 4-11 p.m. Saturday 12-11 p.m. $9.00 $9.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com Vice Chair Debra Panetta said last week. Panetta did not comment on the situation at this week’s meeting. “His top priority should be the people of East Saugus. He should be protecting their interests and not doing the bidding for WIN Waste,” Selectman Michael Serino said last week. Serino remained on vacation and was unable to attend this week’s meeting. Selectman Jeff Cicolini didn’t comment at Wednesday night’s meeting. Last week, he declined to talk about matters related to the ongoing lawsuit, other than to say he didn’t think the case would have any bearing on the town’s eff orts to reach a host community agreement with WIN. tures for WIN Waste Innovations to challenge a federal lawsuit. Pictured from left to right are Selectmen Debra Panetta, Cogliano, Jeff rey Cicolini and Corinne Riley. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler)
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