Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 20, 2020 COVID-19 | from page 1 have been and will continue to be sanitized and thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis, he noted. Health Department gets experienced help “Tracy Nicholas is a Masters prepared Licensed Registered Nurse with over 25 years of public health and school nursing experience, including as a clinical nurse educator,” a press release noted of her hiring. “She worked as a public health nurse for 15 years, during which time she developed Town-wide emergency plans, identified community health needs, and health promotion programs,” the statement continued. “Joe Tabbi brings many years of experience in Public Health to the Town of Saugus. He previously worked as the Director of Public Health here in Saugus for 18 years, and then he worked as the Director of Public Health in Winchester for 18 years.” Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano is one of several officials who has publicly raised concerns about not having enough people to man the Health Department effectively. “I spoke with Town Manager Scott Crabtree last week and stressed the need to bring on additional staff to our Public Health Department, and we were fortunate to have Joe Tabbi, our former Board of Health Director for many years, willing to jump right on and assist,” Cogliano said in an interview Wednesday night. “We were also fortunate to find Tracy Romano Cammara (Nicholas), a former classmate of mine, to fill in as an additional Public Health Nurse. We also hired two custodians to help with building cleanup and maintenance,” he said. Crabtree’s press release urged Saugus residents to continue to follow the advice of state and federal health officials in protecting themselves against COVID-19: “While this current public health crisis is a constantly evolving situation and State and Federal guidelines and policies are changing on a daily basis, residents are advised to continue to adhere to the recommendations of the Federal Government, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). “The Town Manager is meeting regularly with Police, Fire, Emergency Management, and members of the Health Department and Board of Health to continue to monitor this evolving situation. Town officials will continue to update the public as needed and as they are provided guidance from state and federal officials and agencies. “If you have any questions, please contact the Saugus Health Department at (781) 231-4117. Anyone in need of emergency possible, before coming to the department. All records requests should be accessed through the Saugus Police Department website, by telephone or by mail. You can access the website online at sauguspd.com, or you can call the offices at (781) 9411126 or (781) 941-1125. Prescription drop off, sharps disposal and fingerprinting have all been temporarily suspended. Civil Police Academy and use of the training room has also been suspended until further notice. Firearms licensing will be OFF LIMITS: Until further notice, Saugus citizens can’t walk into Town Hall unless they work there. That’s one of a series of precautionary moves taken this week by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. conducted by mail only until further notice. Firearms applications should be mailed to Firearms Licensing Officer, 27 Hamilton St., Saugus, MA 01906. All other activity can be conducted over the phone. Nonemergency questions and routine business calls can be made at (781) 941-1183. For the foreseeable future, parking appeals will not be done in person. Parking ticket appeals must be done in writing or online. The Treasurer’s Office takes NOT A WASTED TRIP: Saugus residents who come to Town Hall to pay their bills can put them in this white payment box even if the building is temporarily closed to the public. We Now Offer For Your Eating Pleasure “UBER EATS” Convenient Delivery Service Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Full Menu To Go Open for Takeout for Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Food 381 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere 781-284-5600 services should contact Saugus Emergency Management at 781231-4175, or call 911.” Earlier this week, Crabtree announced that all municipal buildings in Saugus have been closed to the public out of an abundance of caution in order to help mitigate the potential spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of the residents of Saugus. Residents can still call or email all Town departments during normal business hours. Residents are also encouraged to use online services during this time. New public safety measures In order to best protect residents and employees, the Town of Saugus is undertaking the following additional steps regarding public safety matters: Starting Wednesday, March 18, there will be limited public access to the Public Safety Building. Anyone in need of emergency services should call 911. Abuse Prevention Order applications will still be available. Those looking to fill out the applications should call ahead, if Saugus reports first presumed case of COVID 19 A s of March 19, Saugus has one adult with a presumed positive case of COVID-19. This resident is currently recovering at home and will be monitored and supported by local public health officials. As we know, this is a rapidly changing environment; there eventually might be more cases in Saugus. The Saugus Board of Health/Health Department continues to work closely with the state Department of Public Health (DPH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to get any new and updated information out to Saugus residents as soon as it is received. Recently, Governor Charlie Baker declared a State of Emergency with declarations. In addition, Baker announced that all childcare facilities will be closing as of Monday, March 23. Visit https://www.mass.gov/orgs/ department-of-public-health for additional updates. payments for parking tickets or can assist with appeal options. Treasurer’s Office staff cannot reduce or negate tickets. This can only be done through an appeal. You have 21 days from the date of issue of the ticket to make payment or appeal. Options to appeal are as follows: • Schedule an appointment for an in-person hearing. Hearings are held every other Monday. To make an in-person appeal appointment, please call (781) 231-4135. Your ticket will go on hold until you have had the opportunity to speak with the Parking Hearings Officer. • Make a handwritten appeal, which will waive your in-person hearing option. The ticket will be placed on hold until the next review or hearing date, and you will be notified by mail or email with the Hearing Officer’s resolution. You can mail your appeal letter with a copy of your ticket (and a copy of your HP placard (if applicable)) to Town of Saugus, Parking Hearings Officer, 298 Central Street, Suite 5, Saugus, MA 01906. Forms are available online on the Treasurer’s Office website. • You can make an appeal online, which will waive your inperson hearing option. Once you are on the Police Department website, go to “I would like to appeal my parking ticket” and upload pictures or a detailed letter to go with your appeal. The ticket will be placed on hold until the next review or hearing date. You will be notiCOVID-19 | SEE PAGE 11
3 Publizr Home