SAUGUS Your locally owned newspaper for 25 years! Vol. 25, No. 11 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, March 18, 2022 The FY 2023 Budget A Springtime Sight T Finance Committee reviews proposed spending plans for police and fi re departments By Mark E. Vogler own Manager Scott C. Crabtree has recommended a Police Department budget of $9 million for the 2023 Fiscal Year that begins July 1 – an increase of more than $456,000 over the current year. Salaries and full-time wages of the police force account for $283,235 of the proposed budget hike. Meanwhile, Crabtree supports the $6 million budget request for the Saugus Fire Department – an increase of $240,000 over the current budget. Salaries and wages of full-time Fire Department personnel account for about $4.6 million of the department’s budget request. The Finance Committee received its annual briefi ngs on Wednesday (March 16) from the police and fire chiefs as committee members began their department-by-department review of the FY 2023 budget that will be submitted with recommendations BUDGET | SEE PAGE 2 Farewell Saugus BEHOLD THE PURPLE PATCH: Sunday (March 20) is the offi cial start of spring. But these Dutch hybrid crocus blooms on a south facing foundation near Saugus Center were already welcoming the new season earlier this week. Please see inside for more photos and this week’s “Saugus gardens in the spring.” (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) The retirement of “a tireless advocate” Veterans Service Offi cer Jay Pinette plans to leave his post next month By Mark E. Vogler F Veterans Service Offi cer Jay Pinette plans to retire next month after advocating for local veterans for four years. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Mark E. Vogler) or the last four years, Jay Pinette has worked several days a week out of Saugus Town Hall as the Veterans Service Offi cer (VSO), helping to make life less complicated for local veterans and their families. Pinette, 67, U.S. Marine veteran who lives in Wakefi eld, announced this week that he will be retiring, eff ective the middle of next month. He said he plans to work several weeks, helping ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Great Opportunity to own a piece of Route One! This long acre of land with ample parking, high front exposure - ready for new owner. View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. to train his successor to provide a smooth transition. Mike Saunders, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, will start work on March 28. Local veterans group leaders praised Pinette’s service to the town and said he will be missed. “Jay has been a tireless advocate for the veterans of Saugus and beyond,” Saugus Veterans Council Commander Stephen L. Castinetti said this week. “He has become an integral member of the Saugus veterans community and I have extended a sincere invitation to Jay to continue his affi liation with the Saugus Veterans Council. Semper fi , Jay and thank you for your service and your commitment to veterans,” said Castinetti, a retired U.S. Navy captain. School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould, who has been involved in local veterans’ activities, called Pinette “a very strong Veteran supporter as VSO covering Saugus.” “Jay has spent many hours of his own time attending Veteran Council, Legion and VFW meetings, understanding the demographics and clients and always accessible to local veterans,” Gould said. “He did his role very professionally and with utmost dedication to those he served. ADVOCATE | SEE PAGE 8 ASNGELO’ FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $4.159 Mid Unleaded $4.369 Super $4.499 Diesel Fuel $4.979 "43 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2021 KERO $6.99 DEF $4.75 9 Diesel $4.559 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A A DA Prices subject to change Ask about FLEET
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