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Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 22, 2024 This Week on Saugus TV Sunday, March 24 from 9 to 11 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, March 25 all day on Channel 8 – “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, March 26 at 7 p.m. on Channel 9 – Board of Selectmen live. Wednesday, March 27 at 11 a.m. on Channel 8 – Historical Society Presentation: “Appleton’s Pulpit.” Thursday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Finance Committee from March 27. Friday, March 29 at 4 p.m. on Channel 22 – Girls’ Lacrosse vs. Mystic Valley live. Saturday, March 30 at 9 a.m. on Channel 22 – What’s Your Story? Mr. Fontanella. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8 (Public), 9 (Government) & 22 (Educational) ***programming may be subject to change without notice*** For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org Unused educational money Saugus Public Schools could benefit from a special reserve fund that Town Meeting approved in 2022 By Mark E. Vogler T he School Department has access to $3-million sitting in a special account, waiting to be used to help the education of students who have been hindered by COVID-19 and the days of remote learning. “Hopefully the School Department will bring proposals before the Annual Town Meeting that are consistent with the goals Town Meeting established to help students recover academically and socially for two difficult years,” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian said recently. “Over three million dollars was set aside in 2022 for this purpose. The money cannot be used to fund pay raises, buy walkie talkies, or reduce or eliminate user fees. The money is there to help students recover from a loss of learning during the pandemic,” he said. Manoogian was referring to the Supplemental Student Support Reserve Fund that was introduced by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree at a Special Town Meetingin the fall of 2022 and approved by Town Meeting members. Crabtree said that then-Gov. Charlie Baker provided additional monies in Chapter 70 funds for public school, amounting to about $3-million for Saugus Public Schools. This money would allow for a variety of educational programs in the school district which are not currently covered by the School Department’s operating budget. Manoogian, a retired educator and former Saugus School Committee member, did some groundwork on the article that Crabtree authored: To see if the Saugus Town Meeting will, vote under the authority provided by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 5B, to create a targeted stabilization fund known as the Supplemental Student Support Reserve Fund and to raise and appropriate a sum of money for deposit into such fund for the following purpose(s): 1. To develop and provide enrichment programs outside of the school day, including summer school, evening school, and before and after school programs not currently existing in the school budget. 2. To deliver at home tutoring for students who have been identified as needing one on one support from a qualified educator. 3. To procure and administer norm referenced student assessments to identify individual student deficiencies in mathematics and reading. 4. To develop and implement parent/guardian communication and training programs that will help facilitate student learning and success. 5. To supplement existing ESL / ELL learners including, but not limited to, materials and properly credentialed staff to support these learners. 6. To ensure access to technology for students who have been identified as not having such at home. 7. To develop and implement extended day programs for students as needed. 8. To develop any program deemed appropriate and proven effective with the goal of bringing about student academic and social recovery from two years of remote learning. In order for the Saugus Public Schools to access these funds the Superintendent and School Committee must submit a detailed plan to the Saugus Finance Committee who will determine that such plans are supplementing current educational programming and not supplanting it Eastern Bank Building on Rte. 1S 605 Broadway, #301 * Saugus (781) 233-6844 www.bostonnorthdental.com Drug overdose deaths increased during 2023 By Mark E. Vogler D Dr. Priti Amlani Dr. Bhavisha Patel * Restorative Dentistry * Cosmetic Dentistry * Implant Restoration * Zoom Whitening * Teeth in a Day - All on 6 * Invisalign * CEREC Crowns (Single Visit Crowns) * Root Canal Treatment * Sedation Dentistry ~ Full Mouth Rehabilitation ~ Before After T rug overdoses in Saugus during 2023 dropped to 98 – 13 fewer than the previous year. But the number of fatal overdoses increased by a third to nine, according to the annual report on crime statistics released by the Saugus Police Department. The nine fatal drug overdoses is a lot for a small town like Saugus,” Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli said. “Our numbers are often on the high side because of the number of motels in the community and the person doing the drug alone,” the chief said, theorizing that people experiencing an overdose might not have somebody with them to seek help in the event of an overdose. Another key contributing factor could be that the drug could be laced with a potent amount of fentanyl. “That could be the biggest factor driving the fatal overdoses. You don’t know how much fentanyl is in it. There are so many variables to it,” he said. In recent years, Saugus police have credited a drop in drug overdoses to the use of Narcan by first responders. There were a dozen fatal drug overdoses reported in 2021. There were 15 deaths in 2015. The Saugus Opioid Outreach program – where first responders perform follow-up visits to the overdose victims – has also played a key role. During these visits the overdose victims are provided with treatment options and are also given units of Narcan to have on hand in case of a future overdose. Town announces road paving projects for Water and Walnut Streets next month he Town of Saugus has secured funding from the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to carry out essential paving operations on Water Street and sections of Walnut Street. This infrastructure investment, which is scheduled to get underway on April 8, will improve the quality and safety of the roadways. The paving work will include milling and overlay work on all of Water Street and select segments of Walnut Street, specifically from Water Street to Route 1 and Central Street to Elm Street, according to a press release issued by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office. The timing and sequencing of the work is intended to ensure efficient project completion while minimizing inconvenience to residents and businesses. Additionally, the Town will utilize its own funding sources to pave Walnut Street from Water Street to the Lynnfield Town line, work that will include milling and overlay pavPROJECTS | SEE PAGE 16

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