Page 20 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 13, 2020 OFFICER NICHOLS | from page 19 against me,” he said of three superior police offi cers who are Town Meeting members, too: Lt. Arthur D. Connors, Jr. of Precinct 3, Sgt. Stephen F. McCarthy of Precinct 7 and Lt. Anthony J. LoPresti of Precinct 8. “Who would have thought that they wouldn’t support one of their own,” Nichols said. Nichols said he was also disappointed that the town manager went ahead and filled the position he held as the department’s fleet maintenance mechanic for the past 20 years. “They’re going to bring somebody else in next week to do my job, so I will be going back into uniform patrol,” he said. During the Special Town Meeting, there was strong opposition to Nichols’s request for proposed legislation that would exempt him from the One Call Does It All! mandatory retirement provision of the state general laws, which require police offi cers to retire at age 65, and would allow him to work until the age of 70. “This proposed legislation runs contrary to this provision of the Town Charter as it would mandate that Mr. Nichols retain the role of Saugus Police maintenance mechanic in the Police Department until he reaches the age of 70,” Town Counsel John Vasapolli wrote of the original warrant article authored by Nichols. “As a result, this would isolate him from removal or transfer by the Town Manager and would prevent the Town Manager from taking any action to remove or transfer him as town employee under the authority given to the Town Manager in the Town Charter,” Vasapolli said. “Additionally, Call for a Free Estimate Landscaping & irrigation/construction & demoLition excavation & site Work • SPRING CLEAN-UPS • WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY LAWN SERVICE • NEW LAWN INSTALLS • MULCHING & EDGING • TREE & SHRUB PLANTING • BUSH & SHRUB TRIMMING • BOBCAT & EXCAVATION WORK • DEMOLITION & REMOVAL SERVICE • DUMPSTER RENTALS www.StevesServicesLLC.com 781-808-1061 617-908-0436 EVERETT MALDEN REVERE SAUGUS A dvocAte Newspapers Published weekly by The Advocate Newspapers, Inc. • MAIN OFFICE • 573 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 Mailing Address: PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 Telephone: (617) 387-2200 / (781) 286-8500 (781) 233-4446 / FAX: (617) 381-0800 Email us at: Jmitchell@advocatenews.net info@advocatenews.net James David Mitchell, Publisher James D. Mitchell, Editor The Advocate Newspapers, Inc. are free newspapers published every Friday. This newspaper assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements printed herein, but will reprint without charge that part of an advertisement in which the error occurs. WASTE REMOVAL & BUILDING MAINTENANCE • Landscaping, Lawn Care, Mulching • Yard Waste & Rubbish Removal • Interior & Exterior Demolition (Old Decks, Fences, Pools, Sheds, etc.) • Appliance and Metal Pick-up • Construction and Estate Cleanouts • Pick-up Truck Load of Trash starting at $169 • Carpentry LICENSED & INSURED Call for FREE ESTIMATES! Office: (781) 233-2244 the Chief of Police who by law has the sole authority to transfer and reassign the duties of police offi cers, would be prevented from reassigning Mr. Nichols to any other duties.” Vasapolli’s opinion noted that the police mechanic position was eliminated from the collective bargaining agreement between the Town and the police patrol union in 2013. The intent was to put another police offi cer on the street and have the car maintenance performed by trained professionals. “At that time, rather than the town immediately eliminating the police mechanic position and ordering Mr. Nichols into uniform and regular police duties, the town agreed to allow Mr. Nichols to fi nish his career in that position noting that he had held the mechanic position for many years and was close to the mandatory police retirement age of 65,” Vasapolli said. The attorney argued that the special legislation sought by Nichols “would deprive the town of the ability of placing another patrol offi cer to regular police duties that the town had bargained for in the labor contract.” During Monday night ’s meeting, Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian of Precinct 10 introduced an amendment that changed certain language in the original article, including the insertion of “patrolman” to replace “maintenance mechanic.” Manoogian’s amendment appeared to remove the arguments for opposing Nichols’ request – other than the mandatory retirement age for police offi cers. But Town Meeting Member Richard P. Lavoie of Precinct 7 said members should realize that the age law was enacted in 1987 and times have changed. “I think folks are getting older, but they’re more capable than they were 30 years ago,” Lavoie said. “If he’s willing and able and able to maintain the duties assigned to him, then his employment should continue,” he said. Nichols walked to the lectern to argue his own case. “I’ve given 37 years to this town and a lot more,” he said. Nichols told Town Meeting that he enjoyed his job and loved working for the town. “I take pride in giving back to the town and my department. My choice is to stay working,” he said. I CAN GET YOU YOUR DREAM HOUSE! SALVATRICE REALTY Sylvia Anthony, Broker (617) 943 - 4794 “Over 40 Years Experience” I HAVE THE BUYER FOR YOUR HOUSE! SALVATRICE REALTY Sylvia Anthony, Broker (617) 943 - 4794 “Over 40 Years Experience” * Carpet Cleaning * Upholstery Cleaning * Water Damage * Handyman Services (617) 930-1213 / www.bostonnorthservices.com Email: pdesantis@bostonnorthservices.com Velleca & Daughter, Inc. Is Your Home & Garden Ready For Spring? 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