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Page 18 BUDGET | FROM PAGE 1 Town fi nancial offi cials are estimating a six percent increase in health insurance. Crabtree told selectmen the increase could range from 5.5 percent to 12 percent. Trash hauling and incineration has been increasing at a concerning rate over the last couple of fi scal years. In addition, due to the changes in the recycling industry involving specifi cally China, the cost of disposal of recyclable materials is on the rise. We continue to monitor this budget and will consider making adjustments later in the budget cycle. “For recycling, we used to make money, now we’re paying $65 a ton,” the town manager told selectmen. “Recycling is no longer about money saving. It’s environmental,” he said. Pension contribution – THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 28, 2020 Regional School AssessThe pension appropriation increase of $251,017 for a total payment in Fiscal Year 2021 of $7,202,130 is based on a funding schedule prepared by the Public Employees Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) to fully fund the pension obligation by 2026 from 2029. The funding schedule was amended based on the actuarial valuation as of Jan. 1, 2017, and voted by the Saugus Retirement System. The town has $140 million in unfunded liability based on the town’s last actuary, according to Crabtree. 1. On Feb. 28, 1983, what TV series about the Korean War ended? 2. Why was NYC’s Broadway nicknamed “The Great White Way”? 3. What was the first U.S. consumer product for sale in the USSR? (Hint: starts with P.) 4. On Feb. 29, 1692, Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne and Tituba were arrested for what where in Massachusetts? 5. The musicals “Funny Lady” and “Funny Girl” are based on what comedienne’s life? (Hint: initials FB.) 6. What Alaskan sea animal was almost made extinct by fur traders? 7. On March 1, 1921, who patented a Diver’s Suit invention? (Hint: initials HH.) 8. What U.S. government band is the country’s oldest band? 9. Where would you find “The Inn of the Sixth Happiness? 10. On March 2, 1962, who scored 100 points in a basketball game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks and set a record? (Hint: initials WC.) 11. March 2 – Read Across America Day – is also a day named after what children’s book author? 12. How are Sacred Cow (nickname), Dixie Clipper and Independence similar? 13. On March 3, 1831, what inventor of the railroad sleeping car was born? 14. In March 1853 what Verdi opera premiered that is like the Greta Garbo film “Camille”? 15. Where would you find the Unisphere, which was built for the 1964–1965 World’s Fair? 16. On March 4, 1853, which U.S. president became the first to recite an inaugural address from memory? (Hint: N.H. native.) 17. Who was “Lucky Lindy”? 18. Who became identified with the song “Rock around the Clock”? 19. On March 5, 1868, the U.S. Senate began to impeach what U.S. president? 20. What U.S. city has street names that include over 35 variations of “Peachtree”? Answers below, please no cheating! FROM PAGE 18 ments – vocational education, inclusive of Northeast Regional Vocational and Essex North Shore Tech, is budgeted for $3,775,000 based on estimated numbers provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on our minimum required contribution. The DESE enrollment estimates for Northeast Regional School have decreased in FY 21 as compared to FY20. DESE estimates indicate 179 students next year. As you know, enrollment information is not confi rmed by DESE until April 2020. Other Insurance – the various property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance premium estimates have been budget-based on an increase of 8 percent over actual fi scal year 2020 premiums recommended by the provider. The premium will not be fi - nalized until sometime this spring. Crabtree noted other concerns that could have an impact on the costs of running town government. “The estimated fi xed costs mentioned above don’t take into consideration the contractual wage adjustments,” Crabtree said. “In preparation of this or any other budget, there are concerns for those items that can vary and may change due to circumstances that occur during the fi scal year. Some items are building maintenance, utilities, motor fuel, vehicle maintenance and health insurance.” Crabtree also noted the town has been fortunate so far this winter that snowfall has been somewhat limited, keeping the snow and ice defi - cit under control. Several issues that resonated throughout the budget briefing involved the number of job vacancies in crucial town positions and the inability for the town to retain qualifi ed help because the town pays comparatively lower than other communities. Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini told Crabtree that a compensation study “is paramount.” “I’m fully supportive of looking across the board and seeing where our employees need to be,” Cicolini said. “It’s very much needed,” he said. Several offi cials have recently discussed the introduction of a warrant article for the Annual Town Meeting that would seek a compensation study for town employees. Crabtree cited the recent departure of the town’s plumbing inspector, who took the same job in the Town of Lexington for $20,000 more a year. Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week, This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call record local senators’ votes on amendments to the “Mental Health ABC Act,” aimed at making major changes in the mental health care system in Massachusetts. Supporters say the bill removes barriers to and expands access to mental health care, boosts the industry’s workforce and strengthens the quality of coverage. PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH CARE TASK FORCE (S 2519) Senate 37-0 approved an amendment creating a pediatric mental health care task force to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the delivery of pediatric mental health services in the state and make recommendations to improve the availability, access and cost-eff ectiveness of these services. Amendment supporters said there are thousands of children with treatable mental disorders who are not receiving proper mental health treatment and are falling through the cracks. They argued that the waiting period for a bed in an appropriate facility is too long and these kids are suff ering. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Ye s CONFIDENTIALITY FOR CORRECTIONS OFFICERS (S 2519) Senate 37-0 approved an amendment adding corrections offi cers to a current law that ensures confi dentiality for police, fi re, EMTs and other fi rst responders who seek mental health service or referrals from a peer counselor. “Adding correctional offi cers … means they will be afforded the same protections as fi refi ghters, police offi cers and EMTs when seeking confi dential mental health assistance,” said the amendment’s sponsor Sen. Michael Moore (DMillbury).“Those that work in corrections are subject to traumatic incidents on a routine basis, making access to confidential mental health treatment critical to eff orts in preventing suicide among correction offi cers.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Ye s CHILDREN UNDER 22 (S 2519) Senate 37-0 approved an amendment to ensure that individuals under the age of 22 in the emergency room who are in need of inpatient or residential psychiatric treatment are placed in an appropriate facility within 48 hours of admission to the emergency department. “As the former chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, I am especially sensitive to the urgency of taking care of our most vulnerable young people at a time when failing to treat them can exacerbate their issues and lead to their longer-term failure to thrive,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (DSalem). “I am pleased that my Senate colleagues unanimously voted to pass my amendment to ensure children under 22 receive appropriate emergency psychiatric treatment.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Ye s HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of February 1721, the House met for a total of 20 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 40 minutes. MON. FEBRUARY 17 No House session No Senate session TUES.FEBRUARY18 House11:03 a.m. to 11:12 a.m. Senate 11:20 a.m. to 11:52 a.m. WED. FEBRUARY19 No House session No Senate session THURS. FEBRUARY20 House11:02 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Senate 11:13 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. FRI. FEBRUARY21 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com 1. M*A*S*H 2. Because it was one of the city’s fi rst streets lit by electric lights 3. Pepsi 4. Witchcraft, Salem Township 5. Fanny Brice 6. The sea otter 7. Harry Houdini 8. The Marine Band 9. You wouldn’t – it is the name of a 1958 movie about a Chinese missionary. 10. Wilt Chamberlain 11. Dr. Seuss Day 12. They are names of airplanes used to transport the U.S. president. 13. George Pullman 14. “La Traviata” 15. NYC 16. Franklin Pierce 17. Aviator Charles Lindbergh 18. Bill Haley and His Comets 19. Andrew Johnson 20. Atlanta

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