THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 14, 2025 Page 3 ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ Save Stocker Park? To the Editor: In trying to learn as much as I could about the Dog Park Proposal, I ‘visited’ the Save Stocker Park Facebook page with the following introduction: By joining this group, you are affirming your opposition to the proposed Stocker Dog Park. Our mission is to preserve the Stocker Playground as a space dedicated to youth recreation and to ensure that community voices are heard. The “No Dog Park” activists state that their mission is to preserve Stocker Playground. On February 28, 2024, leading the “No Dog Park” campaign, Town Meeting Member Mark Sacco stated, “Together we can protect and preserve these cherished spaces for future generations.” On April 28, 2024, abutter at 12 Stockade Street, and administer of the Save Stocker Park, Ms. Sharon Floramo posted the following: COUNTDOWN is here everyone!!! You are invited to join us on Monday, 4/29/24 at 6 PM at Saugus Town Hall Auditorium Forum in Support to Protect Stocker Park. We call on you in support of Frederick Stocker Park, a historical gem, to stay as a children’s playground and haven for wildlife enthusiasts. A show of numbers will be REFLECTIONS | FROM PAGE 2 rowing costs for capital improvements. We built a new high school, rebuilt and maintained our infrastructure, including sewer infrastructure, and there is a capital improvement plan that is properly executed. “Yet, in spite of the progress, Saugus still has political divisions and there is a lack of a succession plan should the Town Manager’s position become vacant. As the only Town in the Commonwealth that does not have staggered elections, a ‘tempest in a teapot’ political issue could result in a Board of Selectman majority that could do exactly what the 2013 Board of Selectmen did. “To sustain good government, it is incumbent upon citizens to actively become engaged in the civic life of the community. I do not see that happening outside of the nonsense one can view on Saugus social media pages, which unfortunately has a tremendous influence on many elected officials.” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta “Our Town has a AA+/Stable bond rating, the best bond rating that Saugus has achieved under any administration in town history. We built a stateof-the-art middle/high school and received a grant from the MSBA of up to $65.1 million to build this school. We invested in parks and playgrounds throughout town, which includes Bristow Park, Veteran’s, and Anna Parker (new pickleball courts, street hockey, and picnic area). Plans for updating Stackpole and Golden Hills are in the works. “The Town is rolling out a new water meter program to ensure accurate water usage for all residents. The Town purchased two properties in Cliftondale Square showing its commitment to revitalize this area. There have been improvements in public safety communication, town hall updates, guard rail work, road paving, sewer rehabilitation, vehicle replacement program, capital upgrades and major renovations to the Belmonte and Veterans schools, new generators for Town Hall and the Senior Center, and so much more. “The Town has done an outstanding job receiving grant money to help pay for items in Town, including green community grant money (~$1M), money for firefighter gear, funding for parks, $1M in Federal grant money for public safety communications, and $2.3M in Federal grant funding for revitalizing Cliftondale Square (parking). The Town also hired a media specialist widely appreciated. Share with family and friends. Let Us Go!! See you there!! On November 21, 2024, the following statement appeared on Save Stocker Park: Let us continue to preserve the Stocker family historic value and keep Stocker Playground and Field as it is in 2025. (In other words, keep it neglected, unsafe and vacant). In a recent Lynn Item article, the reporter wrote, ‘The Stocker Park Facebook group continues to post photos and information about the park and its wildlife. They hope to keep the land as is.’ Both ardent residents are who is doing a great job with communication in Town – which is vital. The Town, with the vote from Town Meeting, funded a $4.3M capital improvement design project at the Lincoln Avenue main sewer pumping station to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows into the Saugus River. And let’s not forget the completion of all the necessary improvements required with the administrative consent order (ACO) from the Attorney General and Department of Environmental Protections for the Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) issues. We also retrofitted all the streetlights in Saugus with LED lights, built a CHARM center for hard to recycle items, and created a solar farm behind the Public Works Department. “I have been on various Boards and Committees in Town for over 30 years, and we’ve come a long way from almost being bankrupt and going into receivership, to maintaining the full level of services provided by our Town. “There was a time when there wasn’t enough money to keep the Essex Street Fire Station open full time. Now the Town just finished the feasibility study for building a public safety EMS facility on the west side of town. “Who can forget not having enough money to keep our liREFLECTIONS | SEE PAGE 4 stating the same thing – keep Stocker Playground the way it is. My question is how are they planning to protect and preserve this ‘cherished’ space should the present plan be denied? The wish of the late Frederick Stocker was to provide a playground for the town but should the Conservation Commission deny the plans before them, Mr. Stocker’s gift will never be realized. Janice K. Jarosz 5 Wilson Street, Saugus, MA 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street 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 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $11.00 Price includes Roller Skates 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required 12-9 p.m. $10.00 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
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