THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 15, 2019 Page 3 “Welcome back!” Former Saugus Health Director Giacalone returns to Saugus for temporary, part-time duty By Mark E. Vogler M onday was like old times for Saugus’s former Director of Public Health, Frank Giacalone, who left town three years ago to accept a similar position with the Health Department in the City of Newburyport. But, there he was in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library, assuming a familiar role at the town’s most recent Board of Health meeting. “I would like to welcome back Mr. Frank Giacalone, who has very graciously decided to help us out for a little while,” Board of Health Chair William Heffernan noted toward the end of Monday’s meeting. Giacalone said he worked about 13 years for the Health Department – the first seven as an inspector and the last six as its director. Heffernan told fellow board members that Giacalone will work on a temporary, as-needed basis for the Saugus Health Department while the town seeks to fill the vacancy in the director’s position. Giacalone’s successor – David J. GreenWORKING TOGETHER AGAIN: Left to right, Board of Health Chair William Heffernan and former Saugus Health Director Frank Giacalone get reacquainted at Monday’s meeting. Giacalone has accepted a temporary, part-time job, filling in as health director while Saugus looks to fill the vacancy. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) baum – left the Saugus Director of Public Health position on Jan. 25 to take a comparable job in Salem, Mass. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s proposed budget for the 2020 fiscal year that begins July 1 provides a base salary of up to $85,000 for the health director’s position. In an interview after the meeting, Giacalone said he began working for the town about four weeks ago and expects he could be in town up to two months – or until the position has been filled. “Shortly after the director [Greenbaum] had left, they reached out to me to see if I would be able to help out,” Giacalone said. “I’m hoping that after a couple of months, they will be able to hire somebody,” he said. Giacalone said he plans to be working out of the basement office at Town Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondays. And he plans to be available by appointment after 4 p.m. A lot has changed in Saugus since Giacalone left town, including significant development along the Route 1 business corridor. “It’s great to see some of the old landmarks – like the Hilltop Sign and the Dinosaur – and some of the new ones, like the new High School. There’s just a lot of development going on,” Giacalone said. “I’m just happy to be back and helping out while they’re looking for a new director. I feel I can be of service – knowing the community and the department as I do,” he said. “It’s really nice to be able to step in and help make for a smooth transition. Board meets in Executive Session The Board of Health meets next on Monday, April 1. Attorney George Hailer, special counsel to the Town of Saugus on Environmental Affairs, met in executive session with the board at this week’s meeting, citing potential litigation against Wheelabrator as a reason for the 10-minute closed door session. The agenda notice citing the Executive Session stated the purpose for adjourning in secret session was for “Discussion on the filing of the permit modification by Wheelabrator and options of the Board of Health.” “We still have some details to work out and could be making a decision on what options we take by our next meeting. If we do, we will make that public,” Heffernan said. The Board of Selectmen have already filed a letter of objection to the state Department of Environmental Protection, protesting the new Emission Control Plan filed by Wheelabrator. $2.59 GALLON GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 Your career deserves an Encore. a Encore Boston Harbor is hiring. Meet us at our hiring event at the Hynes Convention Center March 18, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Exclusive access for Residents of our Host & Surrounding Communities from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. E $3.39 In accordance with our host and surrounding community agreements, hiring preference is given to properly qualified residents of the cities of (1) Everett, (2) Malden, and (3) Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Medford, and Somerville.
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