Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 27, 2020 CORONAVIRUS | from page 1 a deadline so they don’t have fines to pay?” On Wednesday, the day that the governor issued a new order that extended the closure of Massachusetts schools from early April to at least May 4, Cogliano escalated his criticism to publicly calling on Baker to shut down the Saugus construction project. “Governor Baker, shut this project down and do what’s in the best interest of the residents of Saugus and the families of the 200 workers,” Cogliano said. “I’m all for people being able to work, but this project goes against everything we are being told about taking precaution against the virus. Our local businesses are closed. Some may not survive the shutdown. It’s just not right,” he said. “This project is nonessential; keeping it going is for monetary reasons alone as the contractor has a certain date to complete the project.” Legal opinion backs up governor Cogliano said the town and the contractor need to modify the contract. If it’s shut down for 14 days, he suggested that the contractor be given 14 additional days to complete the project. Cogliano said he wants Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree to call on the governor to stop construction at the new school out of concern for the health and safety of workers – many of them Saugus residents. Prior to the initial shutdown of the schools early last week, the High School part of the project was scheduled to be completed this spring, enabling Saugus High School students to move in after April vacation. An opinion that Cogliano received from Town Counsel Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net John J. Vasapolli on Tuesday determined that there is nothing the town can do to force closure of the new school construction site. Vasapolli cited Baker’s COVID-19 Order No. 13, titled, “Order Assuring Continued Operation of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces, and Prohibiting Gatherings of More Than 10 People,” which was issued earlier this week. The Order requires all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24 at noon until Tuesday, April 7 at noon, according to Vasapolli. The Order provided a list of designated businesses and other organizations that provide essential services and workforces related to COVID-19 that shall continue to operate brickand-mortar facilities during this two-week time period. Vasapolli noted that Exhibit A, page 8 of the Governor’s Order specifically lists as a COVID-19 Essential Services the following: “Construction workers who support the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing).” “Clearly the construction work at the Middle High School falls into this definition of a ‘COVID-19 Essential Service.’ This construction work is being performed by a private contractor, Suffolk Construction, under a contract with certain completion dates, performance requirements, and penalties,” Vasapolli said. “In view of the fact that the Governor has determined that this type of construction work is a COVID-19 Essential Service and this work is being performed by a private company under contract, I know of no legal basis at this time for the Town of Saugus or any of its agents to shut the construction job down,” he said. “Any such action by the Town, in my opinion runs contrary to the Governor’s order and may expose the town to monetary damages for possible breach of contract.” But Cogliano said he still worries that a worker could wind up sick at the construction site and spread sickness through the building. “What if someone contracts the virus? How long and how much will it cost to disinfect the entire building? This project is not essential in any way, shape or form as it is highly unlikely it will be opened during this school year,” he said. “If it were my call, it would be shut down immediately; unfortunately, it’s not. I want an answer from the governor why this project is essential and why the Town can’t make the call to shut it down immediately. My wife and daughters are Registered Nurses and see firsthand what’s happening in our Boston Hospitals. The Governor almost got it right; now he has to make it alright.” Coronavirus Precautions Plastic shields create barrier between Stop & Shop associates and their customers – for health’s sake By Tara Vocino A s the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease rapidly spreads, Stop & Shop has begun to install Plexiglas to ensure that customers and associates remain healthy. According to Stop & Shop 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 Senior Public Relations Account Manager Lindsay Levitts, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the company has begun the installation of clear plastic guards, called Plexi Guard shields, at registers and pharmacies, which are slated to be installed within the next week. “Because the register area doesn’t allow for the cashier and customer to maintain a distance of six feet apart per the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, plastic guards have been added for protection,” Levitts wrote in an email Wednesday morning. “We’re asking that customers please stand behind the clear plastic guards until all groceries have been scanned and payment is complete.” Similarly, groceries must be bagged at the end of the belt to ensure distance between cashiers and customers. When possible, the store is opening only every other check-out lane to create further distancing between customers. The store is following the recommended social distancing six-foot rule by taking other precautionary measures. “Floor tape has been added at regisA customer swipes her credit card through the Plexiglass. ters to clearly delineate for customers how far back six feet is from the pin pad, so customers have a clear understanding of where they should stand,” Levitts wrote. Other local stores, such as the Saugus CVS, have also added floor tape. At both stores, signs have been added throughout the store that remind customers to stand at least six feet apart from others, plus other guidelines from the CDC, like sneezing into your elbow. Those signs are placed at every register, on front doors, and at many other places throughout the store, including by the deli and pharmacy counters. —Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmaill.com. Plexiglass creates a safe distance between the associate and customer.
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