Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 7, 2025 ~ Op-Ed ~ Massachusetts Charter Schools like the Pioneer Charter Schools of Science are a Winning Choice – Academically and Athletically By Phil Signoroni Athletic Director Pioneer Charter School of Science & Pioneer Charter School of Science II As the Athletic Director at Pioneer Charter School of Science (PCSS) and Pioneer Charter School of Science II (PCSS II), I’ve witnessed the remarkable growth of our schools into some of the best academic and athletic environments for students in Greater Boston. From our modest beginnings to the thriving programs we have today, the journey of our athletics program mirrors the larger story of what makes charter schools an excellent WATER METER | FROM PAGE 1 addition, the company will install encoder registers, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system modules, data collection infrastructure, hardware, reading software, Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net choice for families. In particular, our blend of college-preparatory and competitive athletics sets our students up for success in a unique way from traditional public schools. Our schools’ college-preparatory academics and competitive athletics prepare our students for success in trameter data management software, a customer portal and integration with the billing system while providing training on both software and hardware. “This initiative aims to enhance water metering operations, improve customer service, and promote water conservation,” according to town documents. The project – which is estimated to cost about $6 million – will be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and will be managed by Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. Installation of the new meters must be completed by Nov. 30, 2026. “One of the great things about this project is it won’t have any impact on water and ditional public schools, and it’s a journey we’ve all been part of. Founded in 2007, PCSS was created to offer students a rigorous, STEM-focused education in a safe and inclusive environment. As a tuition-free, college-preparatory school, we emphasize excellence in science, technolsewer rates for the ratepayers – the residents and businesses that will have their water meters replaced,” Crabtree told The Saugus Advocate following Tuesday night’s meeting. During Crabtree’s briefing of selectmen Tuesday night, Board Chair Debra Panetta wanted to know whether the project will start at any particular part of town. “No. Everybody will get a postcard and it’s a matter of scheduling appointments. That’s my understanding,” Crabtree replied. “There will be time slots for people to schedule their appointments. Be on the lookout,” the town manager said. Crabtree stressed that the town will be involved in an ongoing public education effort ogy, engineering, and mathematics, providing our students with the foundation they need for higher education and successful careers. PCSS II, established in 2013 to extend these opportunities to more students, follows the same rigorous model. Over OP-ED | SEE PAGE 3 before and during the installation of the new meters. “We’re going to have some information coming out in the next week or so and it will be on our [Town of Saugus] website as well,” Crabtree said. “We’ll try to do as many informational things as we can at every meeting, and we’ll try to talk about it so people are aware of it,” he said. Selectmen periodically receive complaints about high water meter readings that lead to exorbitant bills. But they have no authority to do anything in response to these types of complaints. Crabtree predicted that residents and businesses will have an easier time managing their water bills once the new meters are in place. “The great part of this – the residents will be able to register in a customer portal so they can monitor their own water and also set their own alerts,” Crabtree said. “So, if they have a high use of water, they will actually get an alert, so they will know that something is going on … that they have a leak or something or a pipe burst,” he said. “It’s such a great asset that we’re going to have that will help the residents monitor their water usage so we don’t have a situation where in six months they’re in Florida and their water bill has gone through the roof. I think this will be very helpful,” he said. With the new meters, Water Department employees will no longer have to drive to homes and businesses to get meter readings. The new technology will have the readings sent to Town Hall instead.
3 Publizr Home