SAUGUS Your locally owned newspaper for 25 years! Vol. 25, No. 12 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, March 25, 2022 $1 million worth of good news A “Bucket List” Trip Town receives federal funding to enhance public safety communications system; Crabtree: “This is huge…really phenomenal for the taxpayers.” By Mark E. Vogler T own Manager Scott C. Crabtree told selectmen he only had one announcement to make near the end of Tuesday (March 22) night’s meeting, but promised it would be “very good news” that would make them “happy.” Selectmen told Crabtree his report, though brief, couldn’t have been better after he briefed them on the town recently receiving $1 million in federal funding to improve the town’s public safety communications system. “This is huge…really phenomenal for the taxpayers,” Crabtree told selectmen of his announcement that Saugus was among 120 state projects funded by Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS). Crabtree noted that he had submitted a funding request which was “championed” by the offi ces of U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. The award was included in the bipartisan omnibus federal spending bill signed into law on March 11 $1 MILLION | SEE PAGE 6 Making Her Case HOPING FOR A WASHINGTON VISIT: Lester Markovitz, a U.S. Marine who served in combat during the Vietnam War, says he welcomes the opportunity to be one of 45 area Vietnam Era veterans who will get to “Roll to DC” in September. See inside for more photos and this week’s “The Advocate Asks.” (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) The height is right Selectmen give unanimous support to allowing two six-story buildings in Kowloon project on Route 1 North after Wong family makes more adjustments By Mark E. Vogler T Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Erin K. McMahon briefed the Finance Committee on Wednesday (March 23) on her proposed budget for the 2023 Fiscal Year: She’s seeking a $1.5 million increase over the current year’s spending plan – $1.1 million more than what Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree has recommended. See inside for story. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Great opportunity for Home-Ownership View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. here were several times this year when it looked like the Wong family would have diffi culty winning support from the Board of Selectmen for a Special Permit (S-2) that would allow for the construction of two six-fl oor mixed-use buildings at the site of the Kowloon Restaurant. Selectman Michael Serino had been adamantly opposed to the project, saying it wouldn’t be in the best interests of the town to allow the proposed buildings to exceed the four stories and 55 feet in height that town zoning currently allows within the Route One Business Highway Sustainable Zoning District (BHSD). Meanwhile, Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta agonized over her role as SELECTMEN | SEE PAGE 5 ASNGELO’ FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $4.099 Mid Unleaded $4.369 Super $4.499 Diesel Fuel $4.899 "43 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2021 KERO $6.99 DEF $4.75 9 Diesel $4.839 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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