SAUGUS Subscribe to Advocate Online: www.advocatenews.net Vol. 25, No. 12 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, March 24, 2023 COP ON A MARATHON CAUSE Town Hall Crowd Cheers for Chair Residents cram into second fl oor auditorium to show their support for Board of Selectmen Chair Cogliano By Mark E. Vogler T he agenda for Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting was three pages long, and the meeting lasted for more than two hours. But most of the people who nearly fi lled up the second fl oor auditorium of Saugus Town Hall were there to show their support for a matter that wasn’t even on the agenda — to show their support for the board’s embattled Chair, Anthony Cogliano. At the outset of the meeting, Cogliano read an email received by the Board of Selectmen last week which alleged he had made “homophobic comments on social media,” calling for a public apology and demanding that he be removed from his leadership position. But after reading the letter, a visibly angered Chair went on the offensive. Cogliano said that people have been “harassing” him personally on social media, even saying disparaging things about family and personal life. “And I’m not going to take it from anybody,” Cogliano told the crowd. “I’m chairman of the Board of Selectmen, I respect that position, I go way out of my way for everyone in this town — always have, always will,” he said. “But there’s a line. You’re not going to cross it with me. And once that line’s crossed, I snapped. I let them have it. I wouldn’t take one thing back. Not one thing I said I would take back. I’ve been criticized by members,” he said as the crowd erupted into loud applause. Cogliano said he appreciated the crowd’s support, but he said he didn’t want the applause while he conducted a TOWN HALL | SEE PAGE 4 Patrolman Brett DiPanfi lo, seen here running in the Berlin Marathon last September, is one of fi ve members of the Saugus Police Department who plan to run in this year’s Boston Marathon for charity. The 26.2 mile run is set for Patriots Day, April 17. Please see inside for this week’s “The Advocate Asks.” (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) ~ Home of the Week ~ OPEN HOUSE Saturday, March 25, 11:30-1:00 & Sunday, March 26, 12-1:30 LYNNFIELD - 1st AD - CAREFREE LIVING AT ITS BEST! This wonderful lighting, livingrm w/ceiling fan, kitchen w/granite counters, breakfast bar w/ seating plus center island w/wine cooler, Bosch stainless steel appliances, Fisher double dishwasher, lg dining room offers slider w/custom Duette glass door, & exceptional walk in closet w/custom shelving & built-ins, 2 interior doors, natural gas hook-up for outdoor grilling. Exceptional unit - of rig f smartpho Vieww thhee interior y fthis home ght on yo our hone. ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE 1978-2023 Celebrating 45 Years in Business! Regular Unleaded $2.959 MidUnleaded $3.899 Super $3.949 Diesel Fuel $4.099 Heating Oil at the Pump DEF $4.759 $3.439 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A A Sun. 9AM-5PM Prices subject to change FLEET
2 Publizr Home