SAUGUS Your Local News, Sports and Information Online. Scan & Subscribe! O C TE D E CAT CAT AT Vol. 28, No.12 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, March 27, 2026 SAUGUS HONORS ITS DIVERSITY The Water Bill Blues Selectman Anthony Cogliano questions the accuracy of a potential $7,000 water bill he worries he may have to pay By Mark E. Vogler D uring the members’ motion period of Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting, Vice Chair Anthony Cogliano went on a rant about an astronomical water bill he said he just got hit with. “Seven thousand dollars for water,” Cogliano grumbled. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree noted, “That’s a lot.” “And that’s insane,” Cogliano replied. “There’s no way in hell that my water bill is $7,000 for the year, but it’s going to prove to be that way,” “Cogliano told his colleagues. Complaints about excessive At the fi rst annual Saugus Community Festival last Saturday, Joseline Ramirez and her three young sons stood in front of a column of fl ags representing the native countries of immigrant citizens now residing in Saugus. The Guatemala native holds her son Jaed Mendez, 1, with JJ Mendez, 10, to her left and Jeremy Menez, 4, in front. Please see inside for more photos and the story. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Home of the Week Welcome Home to 43 Taylor Street Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate Formerly Carpenito Real Estate SAUGUS - Perfectly located & maintained 8 rm Colonial boasting 3 bedrms, 2 full baths, spac living room w/stunning gas fireplace surrounded by custom built-ins, entertainment-size dining room w/custom woodworking, den with built-ins, gorgeous, custom kitchen addition Silestone countertops, 14' center island w/seating, gas cooktop, double oven,open to sitting area & atrium doors to stamped concrete patio. 2nd flr offers 3 bedrms, spacious, primary bedrm offers large walkin closet, large family rm, updated roof, gar, concrete driveway. Desirable Iron Works neighborhood, located just outside of Saugus Center. MINT! Offered at $825,000 (781) 233-7300 335 Central St. Saugus commonmoves.com ©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC, An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. water bills surface periodically, as town property owners show up to register their complaints during a Citizens’ Comment period of the selectmen’s meetings. Board members are usually sympathetic, but are powerless to act on the citizens’ behalf. The residents wind up getting referred to Wendy Hatch, the town’s Finance Director & Treasurer / Collector. She or somebody in her offi ce briefs them on the process they must go through to appeal the bill or seek an abatement. So it is that Cogliano recently found himself in the same situation of frustrated Saugus residents who have shared their water bill blues stories with selectmen in recent years. Cogliano said a previous water bill he had came out to $1,900, prompted him to go see Wendy Hatch and also consult with the town’s Department of Public Works. He said he went ahead and did tablet tests in all of the toilets of his house and determined there would be no future problems. “Even though there were no leaks, I still replaced all of the internal parts on the toilets and this time my bill was $3,500,” Cogliano said, noting that the town sends out water bills twice a year, increasing the total bill to $7,000. “I have no idea what’s going on with the water bills,” Cogliano said. He said he feels the frustration not only for himself, but for several residents that called him on Tuesday (March 24) before the board’s meetWATER | SEE PAGE 2 Established 1978 Mid-grade Regular 3.55 4.24 5.24 $4.47 Full Service ULS $4.789 Order online at angelosoil.com Kerosene Now Available! FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Countdown Till Saugus Town Meeting Editor’s Note: The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 4. As a special service to our readers and the registered voters of Saugus, we are reaching out to all 50 Town Meeting members, focusing on one precinct each week, in the weeks WATER | FROM PAGE 1 ing. “There’s quite a few comments on Facebook regarding the bills. I have a friend, an 86-year-old man who lives by himself on Highland Avenue. His water bill went from $200 to $1,100.” “So, something is not right,” he said. Cogliano said he planned to consult with Hatch on Wednesday. Meanwhile, he told selectmen and Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree that his water meter is scheduled to be replaced with a new one next Tuesday (March 31). “I spoke to some of the guys at the DPW and they said they can send the [old] meter out for a test,” he said. Town Manager Crabtree said the town is in the process of replacing all of the water meters with new ones. “I think there’s quite a few residents now throughout the leading up to the start of Town Meeting, asking members about their expectations for the upcoming Town Meeting. This week, we received responses from three of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 5. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to town who have new meters,” Crabtree said. “I don’t know if it’s an issue with the meters. I’m not an expert on it,” he said. “The expense of the leak when people have a legitimate leak is very high. They think it’s shocking,” he said. Crabtree reminded Cogliano about the process for contesting a water bill and also mentioned about tests that can be done by an independent company to determine whether a water meter is faulty. “I think we’ve done that quite a few times and none of them have come back that were faulty. I think we had one that had something to do with an ERT on the top of the meter,” Crabtree said. But he added that the usual result of a test is that the water meter was not faulty. And often there were leaks that the homeowner didn’t know about, according to Crabtree. the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 6. The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes six weeks from Monday. Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2026 Town Meet“I don’t know of any of them coming back faulty,” he said. “People had a leak, but they didn’t know they had a leak. They even had plumbers certifying that they didn’t have a leak and we’d check and you’d see a truck digging up the sprinkler system because they actually had a leak with the sprinklers all winter. Every case is different. I’m not involved in that department,” the town manager said. “There’s an abatement process. They have a form. They send out the water department to inspect the meter and possibly change it over. So, there is a process and that’s how it’s handled.” There is one high-profile case of a Saugus homeowner disgruntled about his high water bill repeatedly complaining about it – and prevailing. In February of 2021, then-Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member William S. Brown got a $1,075 water bill cut in half after coming session? Lori Fauci: I think there are a lot of competing needs in our community and I hope to continue to hear from my precinct about their concerns as their representative. One glaring issue from my Precinct and throughout residents in town is the need to better fund our public schools. I have heard from many citizens about frustrations over class sizes, lack of electives and AP courses, and TOWN MEETING | SEE PAGE 3 said at the time that residential water users would receive an average increase to an average bill of $482 twice a year – or $18 total – by approving the water rate increase. But it irked Brown when he learned he would be paying $2,150 for the year – more than twice the average annual bill because of billing that was based on the use of a busted water meter. “There’s no reason on earth AN UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER: Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Anthony Cogliano was visibly irked about the recent spike in his water bill and expressed his concerns to fellow board members at Tuesday night’s meeting. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler plaining about a broken water meter. Town officials had why the water bill should jump like this,” Brown complained in an interview with The Saugus Advocate before the town acknowledged the problem and reimbursed him. Currently, the average residential user pays $594 twice a year, under a six percent increase approved 38-5 by last year’s Annual Town Meeting. Cogliano expects he will be paying considerably more, while insisting that his house has been leak free. “It’s going to be alarming that my water bill is higher than my tax bill. That’s certainly going to be the case,” he told his colleagues. “You must have low taxes. We have to check that,” Crabtree quipped, a comment that drew laughter. Cogliano is not optimistic about getting his old water meter tested. “The problem is – take me out of the equation – if someone’s meter is faulty, and they send it out, it’s not going to come back. Nobody is going to say that meter was faulty,” he said. Cogliano promised to release the results of the test. “In closing, just for the public, following along with the water bill saga, I will let you know what the outcome is if they test my meter and how it comes back,” he said. Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta thanked Cogliano for his closing remarks. “I appreciate that,” she said.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Page 3 TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 2 the hardships caused by limited school bussing. Our community has invested a lot into new structures and buildings to give Saugus the facilities we need to bring better education to our citizens. However, maintaining those facilities and investing in staffi ng for them has been a struggle. There are varying outlooks on how much funding our School Department needs, but I’d like to help ensure that my neighbor’s investment into the Saugus Public Schools pays off by advocating for more funding towards education. I think it will long term benefi t our entire community and I think citizens deserve to reap the rewards that having a competitive and strong school system provides. Right now, we just are not and it is a problem that is impacting our town on many levels. Jaclyn Hickman: A top priority as we prepare for the 2026 Town Meeting session is advancing a West Side Public Safety Building to ensure that all Saugus residents receive an equal level of protection. At the same time, it is essential that we maintain our strong bond rating as we take on the fi nancial responsibilities associated with the new Vocational School. Equally important is providing suffi cient, sustainable funding for all departments across the town to ensure continued delivery of high-quality services. Ronald Wallace: The biggest question in town is how are we going to pay for the New Safety Complex (Third Fire Station) and also the new Northeast Regional Vocational School without taxing residents out of Saugus. Question Two: What do you consider the top priority for residents in your precinct as you prepare for the opening of the 2025 Town Meeting session? Lori Fauci: In Precinct Five, there are some neighborhood specifi c concerns. We have an issue with certain streets not draining after prolonged or heavy rain. This short term fl ooding impacts homes in the neighborhood. Citizens are working with the DPW to address it, but I’d like to see this about the state of the Lynnhurst School building. Despite a forum that discussed possible uses of the property (and the other closed school buildings) in a fi ve year plan, many of these properties are essentially in disrepair. In the same vein, citizens would like to see some improvements to the grounds, park and courts that are still used by residents and local youth sports. Additionally, some residents wish we had a polling location that was in our district. As a new Town Meeting Member I am THE SEAT OF SAUGUS TOWN GOVERNMENT: The 50-member Town Meeting is the legislative branch of Saugus Town Government and convenes on the first Monday in May each year for a series of meetings to approve zoning articles and resolutions and to pass the town’s municipal budget. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) issue resolved long term for my neighbors. Many residents in our Precinct are concerned looking forward to working with more seasoned representatives to further understand the full scope of our needs in Precinct 5 and working together to help address them. Jaclyn Hickman: A consistent top priority for Precinct 5 residents continues to be addressing traffi c concerns along Walnut Street, where congestion remains an ongoing issue. Additionally, residents are very interested in the future of the LynnTOWN MEETING | SEE PAGE 11 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 Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 A Town Displays Its Diversity The First Annual Saugus Community Festival draws several hundred residents to Saugus Middle High School By Mark E. Vogler L ast Saturday’s visit to the Saugus Middle-High School was a fun family event for Joseline Ramirez and her three young sons. The boys got to eat pizza and mac and cheese, play a Spanish version of Bingo, listen to some live music, watch performances and see a side of Saugus they have never seen before – a diverse town of many ethnic cultures and backgrounds representing more than three dozen nations. They were among a crowd estimated at 500 people who turned out for the First Annual Saugus Community Festival, which featured more than three dozen flags representing the native countries of immigrant citizens now residing in Saugus. Ramirez’s sons JJ Mendez, 10, and Jeremy Mendez, 4, painted on paper squares that were later installed in a giant wall mural made up of 250 individual paintings from people in the community who sought to express themselves about their town while reflecting on the diverse cultural identities and multigenerational stories of the Saugus Community. One-year-old Jaed Mendez just soaked it all in as he relaxed in his mother’s arms as she walked around the ground floor of the Middle A CULTURAL MURAL: Artistically inclined children and adults got to contribute to “The Bridge” mural on the wall at the Saugus Middle High School last Saturday. The mural included 250 individual squares of paper art put together to reflect the diverse cultural identities and multigenerational stories of Saugus. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) High School. “We had a good time,” Ramirez said of the few hours they spent at the festival, which merged two previous events: the Saugus Cultural Festival and Saugus 411. “All of the people were really kind and nice. It was a lot of fun,” she said. Ramirez and her husband Jeremias Mendez immigrated from Guatemala about 15 years ago. They have lived in Saugus for the last three years. Ramirez said the day was definitely an entertaining one for her sons. But as a parent and a newcomer to Saugus, she called the day a rewarding one that enabled her to get better acquainted with the town and what it has to offer its residents. “There are a lot of things going on in town – things that can help you. If we didn’t come to the festival today, we wouldn’t know about it,” Ramirez said. “I’ve seen a lot of stuff that I haven’t seen before – many programs that I didn’t know about.” While visiting the various taFour-year-old Jeremy Mendez painted one of the 250 squares that made up “The Bridge” mural at the First Annual Saugus Community Festival. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) bles staffed by community organizations, churches, various groups, town agencies and schools, Ramirez said, she discovered new educational opportunities available in the community for her children. “I didn’t know about these schools,” she said after visiting the tables offering background information about the Pioneer Charter School of Science based in Saugus and Northeast Metro Tech in Wakefield. “These are schools they could go to, but you have to apply for it,” she said. SAUGUS HISTORY AND GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Members of the MEG Foundation offered a true taste of the town at their table. From left to right are Rhonda Combe, Janice Jarosz and Patty Staples. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Having both schools represented at the first Saugus Community Festival was important, according to Saugus School Committee member Joseph “Dennis” Gould, who is also a co-chair of the Saugus Cultural Council. “I love the fact that we have kids from the Pioneer Charter School and The Voke here today, helping out as volunteers,” Gould said. “They’re part of this community. They’re part of our diversity, and I would like to see FESTIVAL | SEE PAGE 5 Spring is Here! 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Celebrating 67 Years in Business! n Roofing fng
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Page 5 FESTIVAL | FROM PAGE 4 more diversity at future festivals,” he said. It was Gould who first suggested the idea of a Saugus Cultural Festival two years ago upon becoming a member of the Saugus Cultural Council. He was also a strong supporter of the Cultural Festival merger with Saugus 411 – an event aimed at introducing Saugus newcomers to a wide range of services available in the community and also to provide longtime town residents an opportunity to get reacquainted with those services. Former Selectman Corinne Riley said she was impressed with the large turnout for the Community Festival and also credited the merger between the Saugus Cultural Festival and Saugus 411 for the event’s success. “Combining the two events was a wonderful idea,” said Riley, who was the driving force behind the nifty program, which had three previous well-attended Saturdays at the Saugus Middle High School in recent years (2022, 2023 and 2025), offering Saugus newcomers a comprehensive introduction to the town for newcomers and a “refresher course” on what’s available and where to go for longtime town residents. “I think we probably got over 500 people here today. There was a huge turnout to see what Saugus has to offer in services as well as the incredible talent of people who come from many different backgrounds,” Riley said. “Just a multitude of people helped out this year to make this a great success, building on Peabody nonprofit agency will honor Saugus woman for 45 years of service B The Cliftondale Congregational Church table offered visitors a chance to plant spring flowers, Easter cards and toys for their kids. From left to right are Laurie Chan, the Christian Education Director at the Church; Pastor Joe Hoyle and his wife Debbie. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) the past events. I’m really looking forward to doing this again next year. Each time we have it, it just gets bigger and better,” she said. Saugus Cultural Council CoChair Victoria “Tori” Darnell said she was pleased that Saugus residents who immigrated from countries scattered across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America participated in this year’s festival. Darnell is already looking ahead on ways to improve the festival in future years. “One of my hopes for next year is to open up the festival for local artists to sell their crafts and goods,” Darnell said. “And we’ll use new performers next year and make sure that we represent the different cultures of Saugus,” she said. ridgewell, a Pea - body-based nonprofit social and human service organization, next month plans to honor a Saugus woman who has worked at the agency for 45 years. The organization announced in a recent press release that its Chief Operating Officer, Elaine White, will receive the Visionary Leadership Award at Bridgewell’s Imagine the Possibilities Gala and fundraiser, which will be held on Friday, April 17, at the Renaissance Boston Seaport District Hotel. “It is hard to imagine Bridgewell without Elaine; the impact of her 45 years of invaluable service and excellence will be forever felt throughout the organization,” said Christopher Tuttle, President and CEO of Bridgewell. White wi l l be honored for extraordinary service to Bridgewell and for making a lasting impact on the organization, staff and individuals served, according to the press release. “Over four decades ago, she was hired by Bridgewell as a direct support professional and has since held positions across the organization, including, most notably, COO,” it noted. “White will retire in July, bringing her tenure at Bridgewell to a close. As COO, she leads the day-to-day operations of the organization’s entire services portfolio. White has also served on various boards of directors, including Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program, the North Shore Elaine White of Saugus will receive a special award next month in appreciation of her 45-year career at Bridgewell of Peabody. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) HOME Consortium, and President of the Lynn Continuum of Care and Massachusetts Bay Self Insurance Group boards.” HONOR | SEE PAGE 12 Saugus Garden Club members held a drawing for floral displays they created. From left to right are Joanie Allbee, Co-Presidents Lorraine DiMilla and Donna Manoogian and Randy Sue Abber. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler)
Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 SHS Sachems Boys’ Basketball Senior Night honors players and team mother I ncoming Captains were announced and athletic awards and senior class gifts were presented during the Saugus High School Sachems Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team Banquet at Mixx 360 in Malden. They also gave an award to team mother Jessika Rodriguez. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Junior Varsity, shown from left to right: Front row: Miles Davis, Patt Finn and Jeremy Ramirez; back row: Head Coach Dan Bertrand, Kalvin Pereira, Christian Kennedy, Jose Dos Santos, Jace Marshall and Jayden Le. Shown from left to right: Assistant Coach Michael Bertrand, Freshmen Sachem Award recipient Garrett Peavey and Freshmen Head Coach Christopher Myette. Freshmen, shown from left to right: Kneeling: Garrett Peavy, Kassim Shaban, Richard Nuzzo, Luis Sepulveda and Nicholas Malaga; top row: Coach Chris Myette, Dante Manning, Chris Chouy, Harry Houen, Kiki Pierre, Leomar Contreras and Coach Michael Bertrand. Not pictured: Leo Exantus and Miguel Gaices. Shown from left to right: Joseph Dean, Sachem Award winner Cristian Dean and Roberta Dean. Varsity, shown from left to right: Front row: David Perez, Oliver Hernandez, Jordan Rodriguez, Kam Conroy, Nathan Soroko, Paxton Ferraro, Ryan Shea, Cristian Dean, Huey Josama, Assistant Coach Daniel Bertrand and Assistant Coach Jack Furey; back row: Assistant Coach Michael Bertrand, Head Coach Joseph Bertrand, Isaiah Louis and Ryan Dupuy. Seniors, shown from left to right: David Perez, Cristian Dean, Ryan Shea, Jordan Rodriguez, Isaiah Louis, Nathan Soroko and Huey Josama. Shown from left to right: Head Coach Joseph Bertrand, Most Valuable Player Award recipient Captain Ryan Shea and Assistant Coach Jack Furey. Shown from left to right: Coaches Daniel Bertrand, Michael Bertrand and Jack Furey, incoming captains Ryan Dupuy and Paxton Ferraro and Coaches Chris Myette and Joseph Bertrand. Shown from left to right: seniors Isaiah Louis, Ryan Shea, Cristian Dean, Cam Conroy, Jordan Rodriguez, Nathan Soroko, Huey Josama and David Perez with their senior class gift. BASKETBALL | SEE PAGE 7
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Page 7 Saugus River Watershed Council Honors Two receive this year’s Environmental Stewardship Awards By Gabriella Galbadis W illiam Leuci and Stephanie Shalkoski were given Stewardship Awards for their years of environmental activism in numerous organizations in town at the Saugus River Watershed Council’s annual dinner this month. Debra Panetta, president of the council and former awardee, heralded Leuci as an “unsung hero” and Shalkoski as “deeply committed” to environmental issues and civic engagement at the March 16 event, which took place at The Marina Restaurant & Bar at the Wharf in Revere. “It’s a big deal to be recognized by your peers as someone who goes over and above,” said Panetta, in an interview days before the dinner. The award ceremony is held every year to honor Saugus residents and members of the council who advocate for local environmental issues. Nearly four dozen people gathered for the dinner, which included the awards ceremony, silent auction, and a recap of the council’s 2025 accomplishments. The keynote speaker was local engineer and outdoorsman Steve Fantone. Many members of town government were present, including multiple Town Meeting members. Panetta presented the awards and shared the history and accomplishments of the two recipients. Leuci, who is devoted to bettering Saugus, was born in 1938 in Everett and attended Everett High School. He earned a degree in education from Fitchburg BASKETBALL | FROM PAGE 6 William Leuci received the Stewardship Award at the Saugus River Watershed Council’s annual dinner. (Gabriella Galbadis photo to The Saugus Advocate) State College, Panetta said in her speech. Leuci met his wife, Janet, in 1963 when they were both teaching at Woburn High School. The two got married in 1965 and after moving to Saugus in 1968, the first of their four sons were born. Leuci continued to teach. He later joined the board of directors of the local teacher’s association and was later elected president. Janet was a member of the group Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment and was a Town Meeting member representing Precinct 4 for 22 years before she passed away from cancer in 2013, Panetta said. Leuci took his wife’s place at Town Meeting for the remainder of that year and for the next 10 years. Leuci is a former School Committee member, is a current member of SAVE and the Conservation Commission and has been chair of the Aggregate Post Closure Committee for the past five years. Stephanie Shalkoski received the Stewardship Award from the Saugus River Watershed Council. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Leuci said it was nice to get the recognition. He explained that Janet’s generous involvement in the community was what pushed him to be the same way. “She taught me a lot,” Leuci said, laughing. Shalkoski was unable to attend the dinner due to delays caused by traveling, Panetta said, but her parents accepted the award on her behalf. Shalkoski earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Boston College and a public leadership degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Panetta said in her introduction of Shalkoski. Shalkowski now serves as the senior associate director of alumni relations at Harvard Business School. She has been a property owner and Saugus resident since 2014, said Panetta. Shalkoski is a Town Meeting member, representing Precinct 4 since 2023. She is the co-president of SAVE and a regular volunteer for community cleanup groups and Debra Panetta (in blue), president of the Saugus River Watershed Council, presents William Leuci with the stewardship award as members of his family and Mary Lester gather for a photo. (Gabriella Galbadis photo to The Saugus Advocate) other environmental initiatives. “She advocates for anything that is environmental in town,” said Panetta. The watershed council, founded in 1991, has 675 members and hundreds of volunteers who work to protect the natural resources of the Saugus River watershed. Members promote public access and enjoyment of the waterway, advocate for improved water quality and work to restore river habitats. They also prioritize educating people about the environment through numerous community programs. During the event Mary Lester, director of the council, highlighted the council’s top accomplishments in 2025 and said efforts to protect the watershed have resulted in more people and animals enjoying it in the past year. She chronicled the council’s numerous upcoming initiatives, such as working collaboratively with nearby communities on watershed issues, boosting federal grants for water quality testing and working with agencies for additional sediment sampling. She said the council is collaborating with McAllister Engineering to continue improvements through a federal water quality grant that would, among other things, allow them to explore areas for stormwater treatment along Fenton and Southside Avenues, to capture and treat runoff before it enters the Saugus River. Lester shared that the Saugus council has been collaborating with neighboring cities, such as Revere, Malden, Everett, and Lynn, to combat threats to the watershed. “It’s the first time I’ve seen individual towns and cities come together for the betterment of the watershed,” Lester said, later adding, “In the watershed there are no borders.” Gabriella Galbadis is a student journalist in the Boston University Newsroom program. She is a student in Meghan Irons’ Reporting in Depth class. This story is part of a partnership between The Saugus Advocate and the Boston University Department of Journalism’s Newsroom program. Shown from left to right: Head Coach Joseph Bertrand, Unsung Hero Award recipient Captain Jordan Rodriguez and Assistant Coach Jack Furey. Shown from left to right: Head Coach Joseph Bertrand, Defensive Player of the Year recipient incoming Captain Ryan Dupuy and Assistant Coach Jack Furey. Shown from left to right: Head Coach Joseph Bertrand, Sachem Award recipient Cristian Dean and Assistant Coach Jack Furey. Junior Varsity Coach Daniel Bertrand shook hands with Junior Varsity Sachem Award recipient Jayden Le. BASKETBALL | SEE PAGE 12
Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus Part of me wanted to chill out last Saturday at a local coffee shop in Methuen instead of working in Saugus. But I knew I had to be there at the Saugus Middle High School for the First Annual Saugus Community Festival. As a newsman covering Saugus for the past decade, I knew it was going to be a big deal. So, I wound up spending more than four hours milling around in the crowd – observing, talking to people I knew, interviewing folks about their impressions of the festival and snapping a few photos to go with my story in this week’s Saugus Advocate. (Please see “A Town Displays Its Diversity.”) I’m a regular visitor at the annual Saugus Founders Day in September and the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities in early December. Both of those events draw a few thousand people apiece. And I got them on my calendar every year. I heard one report this week that last Saturday’s Festival drew 750 people. Before the event, I figured it could easily hit 500. Based on the passion and enthusiasm of the event’s organizers and attendees, I’d say there’s a good chance of doubling that amount next year. And in a few years, we could be talking about another signature event for Saugus – an event that could pack the halls of Saugus Middle High for years to come on a Saturday in March. Hats off to all the volunteers, from kids to seniors, who helped make last Saturday special for the community – particularly the members of the Saugus Cultural Council and the Saugus 411 Committee, the two groups that agreed last year to merge the Saugus Cultural Festival with the Saugus 411 event. I know I won’t forget this year’s event. Here’s a “Shout Out” to the wonderful ladies of the Saugus Garden Club who sent me home with a gorgeous floral arrangement featuring pussy willows in a Stoneware Honey Pot. In between writing my stories this week, I got to enjoy a fresh touch of spring in my office – courtesy of the Saugus Garden Club. Saugus United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today for me. Congratulations Laurie!” Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. Protecting retirement assets from AI, tomorrow Robert Siciliano (CSP, CSI, CITRMS) will be at the Saugus Public Library tomorrow (March 28) from 1 to 3:30 p.m. to offer a free program titled “The Strategic Human Firewall: Protecting Retirement Assets in the Age of AI Deception.” For retirees in 2026, protecting a lifetime of savings requires moving beyond basic awareness. As AI-driven threats like voice cloning and deepfakes become the “new normal,” criminals are bypassing technical perimeters by targeting the Human Blindspot™ — our natural instinct to trust the familiar. This program deconstructs SAVE THE DATE! July 4th, 2026. Members of Saugus’ 250th Celebration of America’s Independence Committee, chaired by Corinne Riley, are hard at work planning a program called “Saugus as it was in 1775,” which will be held at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site from noon to 4 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Stay tuned for more details. (Courtesy graphic to The Saugus Advocate) (Friday, March 27) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office at 781-233-2663 or go to the website (cliftondalecc. org) for details. Legion Breakfast on Fridays There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2026 season. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free. This week’s “Shout Outs” From Jean Swanson: “I’d like to send a Shout Out to Corrine Riley, Tori Darnell and Vanessa Dellheim along with their committees for organizing the First Annual Saugus Community Festival last Saturday. The festival was a huge success with over 750 attendees.” From Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo: “This ‘Shout Out’ is for Laurie Davis, Saugus Senior Director, for being chosen Citizen of the Year by the Saugus-Everett Elks Lodge last week. She so deserves this honor. Every time I see Laurie at the Senior Center she always has a big smile and kind words the predatory “Pig Butchering” phenomenon, where scammers “fatten up” victims through emotional grooming before draining their wealth. By mastering the Triple-A Protocol, attendees shift from “default to trust” to a “verify everything” mindset. We cover the technical basics — from password managers to multi-factor authentication — to harden your digital home. Learn to transform your personal defense into a Strategic Human Firewall™, ensuring that your retirement remains secure in an era of industrialized deception. This is a fully interactive, nontechnical session. We’ve stripped away the jargon to focus on practical, real-world strategies you can use immediately. Come prepared to ask questions and engage in a candid dialogue about protecting yourself or your organization’s money and your own peace of mind. Learning objectives: • Mitigate the Human Blindspot™: Recognize how psychological “action bias” and manufactured urgency cloud judgment during AI-enhanced scams. • Identify Pig Butchering Tactics: Detect the warning signs of long-coninvestment fraud and emotional grooming used to exploit seniors. • Execute the Triple-A Protocol: Implement a mandated workflow — Analyze, Authenticate and Act — to verify every highstakes digital request. • Harden Technical Basics: Deploy password managers, MFA and “Out-of-Band” verification to protect Social Security and retirement accounts. • Neutralize Deepfakes: Establish family code words to defeat AI voice cloning and “Grandparent” kidnapping scams. Join us at the Saugus Public Library on March 28; brought to you by the Friends of the Saugus Public Library. Seating is limited. Registration is required. Register at www.sauguspubliclibrary. org/events or call 781-231-4168 ext. 3106. News from the Democratic Town Committee The Saugus Democratic Town Committee sent out an email to its members this week with two “alerts”: • An invitation to join the Saugus & Friends Resist group tomorrow (Saturday, March 28) for the third “No Kings” standout from 11 a.m. to noon in Saugus Center at the corner of Central and Hamilton Streets. This is a peaceful protest against the Trump administration policies. The group will resume its weekly standouts at the same time every following Saturday. Signs are available or bring your own. Contact saugusfriendsresist@gmail.com for more information. • The next Saugus Democrats meeting will be on Wednesday, April 29, at the Saugus Public Library at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of the first floor. Palm Sunday Service & Passover Meal Cliftondale Congregational Church invites the community to a special Palm Sunday Service & Passover Meal on Sunday, March 29, at 10:45 a.m. The service will be led by Pastor Joe Hoyle and guest Rabbi Nathan Joiner from Rauch Israel Synagogue. It will be a meaningful time to explore the roots of our faith ahead of Easter. This is a free event, and all ages are THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 9
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Page 9 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 8 welcome. Please RSVP to help with planning: office@cliftondalecc.org. Free Books For Young Readers Next Thursday The Boys & Girls Club Metro North and The Room to Write have teamed up to give away 100 books for free to young readers next Thursday (April 2) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro North’s Saugus Club teen location (aka The Club) in the Square One Mall (1201 Broadway, Saugus). Readers 10 years old and up are invited to “The Club” Teen Center at the mall to meet five local authors, receive a free book signed by the author and to enjoy art activities, a creative community and plenty of sweet treats. This is a free event open to all kids and teens from all communities. No registration or membership is required. Tweens and teens will meet and get to know five talented authors who are the creative minds behind the books being given away. Some authors will give away two different books. There will be five middle grade titles and three young adult titles with a variety of genres, including middle grade fantasy and fiction, along with young adult historical fantasy and fantasy comedy. This amazing event is made possible with sponsorship from The Room to Write and Boys & Girls Club of Metro North, and a generous partnership with Whitelam Books. Participating authors: Middle Grade Novels: Lisa Stringfellow (“Kingdom of Dust” & “A Comb of Wishes”); Ellen Cohen (“Searching for Lucky #3002” & “The Case of the Nasty Notes”); and James Riley (“The Dragon’s Apprentice”). Young Adult: Kendall Kulper (“A Time Traveler’s History of Tomorrow” & “Murder for the Modern Girl”) and Laura Brisbois (“The Extramundane Emancipation of Geela, Evil Sorceress at Large”). There is no registration required for this event. For more information and links to the authors and books, please visit www.theroomtowrite.org/ events. For questions, contact Casey Dowd at cdowd@bgcmetronorth.org. Coming Spring Attractions: • Serenity Gardens, April 4, at the library: Craft your own miniature world using natural textures, personal expression and a little imagination. Therapy Gardens will be in the CommuAt last week’s Ahavas Sholom Sisterhood meeting, the focus was on the celebration of Purim, which was observed this year from sundown March 2 to sundown March 3. The holiday celebrates the rescue of the Jewish population from a planned mass murder in the Persian Empire in the 5th century BC, requested by Persian Prime minister Haman, but thwarted by Queen Esther, the Jewish wife of King Ahasuerus, just in time to save her community. At the Sisterhood meeting, one of the attendees is crowned annually as Queen Esther, and this year Joanie Allbee (wearing the tiara) was the choice. Seen with her is Bob Leroe, who spoke about a heroic female spy during World War II, and Maureen Appel, president of Congregation Ahavas Sholom. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) nity Room at the Saugus Public Library on Saturday, April 4, from 10-11 a.m. to guide you through the steps of making your own personal mini garden to take home. Register online at https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events/ This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. • Last Call for Town Meeting Warrant Articles: At its next meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, the Board of Selectmen will be inserting all of the articles to be included on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting set to convene May 4. Citizens who want to submit a warrant article need to go to the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall to get the petition forms, which require 10 signatures of Saugus registered voters. The signed petitions must be validated by the clerk and submitted to the selectmen for acceptance to be inserted in the warrant. Selectmen will officially close the warrant before they adjourn at their April 8 meeting. • Books in Bloom at the Saugus Public Library: On Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. This popular event fills both floors of the library with beautiful flowers matched up with colorful books. Sponsored by the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library and Saugus Garden Club, Books in Bloom is an annual event where local flower enthusiasts put together floral arrangements that interpret a book’s title, book jacket or theme. Want to join in? Go to sauguspubliclibrary.org/get-involved/new-friends/ to learn about the New Friends of the SPL. Stay tuned for more details • Little League Opening Day: Just two weeks from tomorrow – weather permitting – Saugus Little League Baseball will be celebrating Opening Day on April 11 beginning at 10 a.m. at Grabowski Field off of Hurd Avenue, with a special guest – Boston Bruins National Anthem singer Todd Angilly – starting things off. The league will launch its 2026 season with its annual parade, which will leave Belmonte STEAM Academy at 8:30 a.m. Current plans call for boys and girls players, coaches and other parade participants to assemble at the Belmonte at about 8 a.m. The route for the parade (approved this week by the Board of Selectmen) has the Belmonte parking lot as the starting point, exiting toward Adams Avenue, turning left onto Adams Avenue, right onto Central Street and a left onto Hurd Avenue, ending at Veterans Memorial School for the Opening Day Ceremonies. Stay tuned for more details as Little League Baseball gets to celebrate its 75th anniversary in Saugus. • Student Government Day: Friday, May 1, at 8:30 a.m. in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. Here’s your chance to see future Saugus leaders of tomorrow – the kids who are currently students in the Saugus Middle and High School grades – perform in mock sessions of the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Annual Town Meeting. All members of Saugus local government are invited to come and observe, and even share some pointers with the students. The Saugus Business Education Collaborative will be coordinating the lunch. • Remember The Fallen: Members of the Saugus Veterans Council are hard at work planning and organizing the Memorial Day Parade, which is set for Saturday, May 23. Council members are committed to making this year’s parade and ceremony one of the best-attended in years. That’s a noble goal and an appropriate way to honor all of the Saugus residents who have sacrificed their lives while serving their country in the armed forces over the years. Honor the town’s fallen. Show your support. If you want to volunteer to help or participate in the parade, contact Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti at 781-389-3678. • Coach T.’s spring track program: Plans are in the works for the Saugus Sachems Youth Spring Track Program for 2026. THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 12 - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES26P0768EA Estate of: WILLIAM J. VERBICKY Date of Death: 12/18/2025 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Ashley Famiglietti of Andover, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: Ashley Famiglietti of Andover, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 04/21/2026. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: March 19, 2026 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE March 27, 2026
Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Saugus Gardens in the Spring Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener A week past the vernal equinox traces of winter remain. Here and there we can find traces of grayish snow not quite melted. While the grass is not as green as we might like to see, there are signs of spring everywhere if you look carefully. A walk in the woods will reveal some green moss on fallen logs, and while bodies of water have thawed and refrozen in parts several times in recent weeks, most of them are now open water with almost no ice. Last Sunday I saw a lot of robins running around the grass at the Walnut Street cloverleaf at - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES26P0715EA Estate of: BELINDA LOUISE CAPRIULO Date of Death: 09/22/2025 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Saugus Center of Saugus, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: Lisa Judkins of Auburn, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve With Personal Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 04/21/2026. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: March 16, 2026 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE March 27, 2026 Katharine Hodgkin irises are blooming in my garden. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Route 1 looking for worms and possibly finding some! The top few inches of soil have thawed in some places although it is still not possible to stick a shovel very far into the ground. While it is still too early to plant outside, it is not too early to plan. We are about a month away from the start of the season for planting trees, shrubs and hardy perennials, and a little more than two months away from the recommended time for planting tender plants like annuals, since there is still danger of frost until Memorial Day. March 30 is National Take a Walk in the Park Day, and chances are the weather will be warm enough to encourage such activities. Twenty years ago, the American Heart Association began National Walking Day, which is observed on the first Wednesday in April each year. No joke, this year it will fall on April 1. Silver maples (Acer saccharinum) are among the most common native trees in the United States, with a wide range - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Division Docket No. ES26P0742EA Estate of: SANDRA J. FORESTIER Also Known As: SANDRA FORESTIER Date of Death: JANUARY 8, 2026 INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Joseph Forestier of Saugus, MA Joseph Forestier of Saugus, MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner. March 27, 2026 The tiny flowers of silver maple are in full bloom. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) stretching across eastern and central United States, and parts of Canada as well. While we most often call it silver maple, it is also called by variations, such as silverleaf maple and white maple, still referring to the pale tones of the underside of the leaf; creek maple or swamp maple (but red maple is sometimes called this as well) for its tolerance of wet soils; large maple because of its quick growth and height at maturity; and soft maple because the fast growth produces large cells, which may be more brittle than wood from slower growing maple species. While it develops quickly into a large tree, the branches tend to be brittle, and several trees in town that were planted in the late 19th and 20th century have been removed as a result of broken branches, especially in the Lynnhurst neighborhood. Like several other maples, including red maple (Acer rubrum), that bloom before the tree leafs out, silver maples are usually pollinated by wind. Male and female flowers are individually fairly small, but can be colorful with reddish and yellow tones, and the fact that they bloom so early makes them something to look forward to. Male and female flowers may both be produced on the same tree, but sometimes one tree will produce all male or occasionally all female flowers, so it facilitates reproduction if there are a few trees in close proximity to each other. This week the sap is still running in the silver maples, and squirrels someGARDEN | SEE PAGE 11
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Page 11 REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www. thewarrengroup.com. BUYER1 Coehlo, Dayse Karoline Desantis, Sarah Gomez, Leticia Tomas Ketcham, Stephanie A Murphy, Alexandra Lee BUYER2 Coehlo, Guilherme K M Yoc, Iovani Qirici, Angelo GARDENS | FROM PAGE 10 times break off twigs to sip the sap from broken branches and to nibble on blossoms. I sometimes watch them doing this through my dining room window, since a red maple and a silver maple are both blooming on the street near my house right now. Both of these tree species will produce winged seeds called samaras before the spring is completely over, which will flutter down from the trees a couple of months from now. Among the early bulbs blooming now is the tiny ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ iris (Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’), which has light blue-veined tepals with yellow SELLER1 Ciulla, Kimberly A Deluca, Glenn Eclipse Capital LLC Sarcia, Alison M and dark blue speckled nectar guides. When I headed out Saturday morning, I predicted that the flowers would be open by the time we returned home that evening, and indeed my prediction was accurate! While most people are more familiar with the bearded irises and flag irises that have much longer stems and larger flowers, these and other very early irises bloom from bulbs, and the flowers are just an inch or two above the ground surface. Like snowdrops, crocuses and other geophytes, they prefer a welldrained soil and become dormant a month or so after flowering. These little irises are resistant to deer and rabbits. - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Division Docket No. ES26P0836EA Estate of: BEATRICE A. GALENIUS Also Known As: BEATRICE B. GALENIUS a/k/a BEATRICE A. BABINEAU Date of Death: DECEMBER 27, 2025 INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Catherine A. Galenius of Saugus, MA a Will has been admitted to informal probate. Catherine A. Galenius of Saugus, MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner. March 27, 2026 SELLER2 White, James T Dirocco, Kristin Sarcia, Kristopher TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 3 hurst School site, as its eventual use will have a significant impact on the neighborhood and overall community planning. Ronald Wallace: The biggest question I get asked in Precinct 5 is what’s going on with the Lynnhurst School. It’s a run down mess and needs to be torn down. Broken glass, Plywood over windows making it a total eyesore. It’s time to start talking about all the vacant school buildings. Question Three: Are you working independently or in collaboration with other members on articles to be introduced for this year’s Town Meeting? Could you please elaborate? Summarize your article and what you hope to accomplish. Lori Fauci: As of right now, being newly elected, I have not put forth any articles nor am I collaborating on any articles at this time. Jaclyn Hickman: At this time, I am not currently working with other members from my precinct on a specific article for Town Meeting. However, I am interested in collaborating with them on an initiative to organize a Precinct 5 community cleanup. Litter along our roadways has been a persistent concern, and this effort would aim to address that issue while fostering greater community involvement and pride in our neighborhood. Ronald Wallace: Yes, I’m thinking about writing an article about all the trash everywhere in Saugus. Recycling bins are not enforced properly and trash blows all over town. It’s a really bad look on Saugus in my opinion. We have addressed the abandoned homeless camps but no one ever talks about the rest of the trash all over the place. If you own a dog or walk around Saugus you know what I’m talking about. ADDRESS 23 Orchard Ave 66 Springdale Ave 18 Riverside Ct 905 Sherwood Forest Ln #905 Murphy 2nd Daniel P Est Murphy 3rd, Daniel P 136 Walnut St CITY Saugus Saugus Saugus Saugus Saugus DATE 03.04.26 03.06.26 03.03.26 03.05.26 03.03.26 - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Division Docket No. ES26P0836EA Estate of: ELAINE M. VIGLIOTTA Also Known As: ELAINE VIGLIOTTA Date of Death: JANUARY 31, 2026 INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Robert M. Vigliotta of Saugus, MA a Will has been admitted to informal probate. Robert M. Vigliotta of Saugus, MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner. March 27, 2026 FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT EVERETT PRICE 770000 555000 556000 575000 600000 1 bedroom, 1 bath furnished room for rent. $275. per week rent. Two week deposit plus 1 week rent required. Call: 617-435-9047 - NO TEXT
Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Sa Sa a Sa SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 9 Here’s the basic information. Who: Grades K-6th. Where: Belmonte Track. When: 4:00-5:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays – May 19-June 11. This program is geared toward new track and fi eld athletes. It will prepare them for the larger-scale summer camp. Cost: $150 fi rst year, $75 if returning. For any questions, further information or to register, please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino (Coach T) at 781-8546778 or christophertarantino24@gmail.com BASKETBALL | FROM PAGE 7 Maureen Appel, president of Congregation Ahavas Sholom, is shown serving soup at the Sisterhood Purim Luncheon last week. (Photo Courtesy of Joanie Allbee) y Senior enior Sen by Jim Miller Is Your Aging Parent Safe at Home? Dear Savvy Senior, After watching the coverage of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, I’m worried about my own elderly mother who lives alone in another state. I want to make sure she’s safe without being intrusive. Are there simple, affordable ways to check in on her from afar? --Concerned Son Dear Concerned, You’re not alone. High-profi le cases like this often heighten fears, especially for adult children whose parents live alone and may be vulnerable. The good news is there are several free or low-cost ways to stay connected and gain peace of mind without infringing on your mother’s independence. Here are some nice options to consider. Check-In App If your mother uses a smartphone, a simple solution is Snug (snugsafe.com), a free app that checks in daily to confi rm she’s OK. It’s used by tens of thousands of older adults who live alone and want their loved ones alerted quickly if something goes wrong. Here’s how it works: After Shown from left to right: Head Coach Joseph Bertrand, Off ensive Player of the Year Captain Huey Josama, who the coach said always is laughing, and Assistant Coach Jack Furey. HONOR | FROM PAGE 5 White said she was “deeply honored” to be recognized for her work at Bridgewell. “When I started at Bridgewell more than 45 years ago as a Shown from left to right: Head Coach Joseph Bertrand, Coaches’ Award recipient Captain Nathan Soroko and Assistant Coach Jack Furey. direct support professional, I could have never imagined the journey ahead,” White said. “What has kept me here is the incredible people – those we support, their families, and Carrijo Home Improvement, Inc. General Contractor * Interior & Exterior Carpentry * Kitchen & Bath * Roofs * Painting * Decks * Siding * Licensed & Insured * Free Estimates Carrijohomeimprovement.com Call 781-710-8918 * Saugus, MA the dedicated staff who bring compassion and purpose to this work every day. As I prepare to retire, I feel immense pride in the community we have built together and great confi dence in the future of our mission.” The public is invited to attend Bridgewell’s April 17 Imagine the Possibilities Gala and fundraiser. The event will include a cocktail reception, dinner program, silent/online auction and live Fund a Need auction. Sponsorship information, tickets and additional details are available at bridgewell.org/donate/gala/ downloading the app, your mother selects a daily checkin time. Snug sends several reminders leading up to that time, prompting her to confi rm she’s OK by tapping a large green button on her screen. If she doesn’t check in within 10 minutes after her scheduled time, the app automatically notifi es her emergency contacts and shares her last known location so help can be sent promptly. For added peace of mind, Snug also offers a Dispatch Plan ($20 per month or $200 per year) that includes multiple daily check-ins. If she misses one, Snug will call her directly to see if she’s OK. If there’s still no response, they can request an in-person wellness check by local authorities, who will visit her home to make sure she’s safe. The app works with both iPhone and Android devices. Check-In Calls If your mother doesn’t use a smartphone, a daily check-in call program can provide similar reassurance. Many police or sheriff’s departments nationwide off er telephone reassurance programs, often free of charge. Typically, an automated system calls at a set time each day. If she answers, all is well. If she doesn’t pick up after repeated attempts, or the call goes to voicemail, her emergency contact is notifi ed. If that contact can’t be reached, backup contacts are called. As a last resort, local police or emergency services may be dispatched to her home. To see if this service is available in your mother’s community, call her local police department’s nonemergency number or the Area Agency on Aging at 800-677-1116. If no local program exists, private companies like CareCall or Confi rmOK offer similar services for a monthly fee. Technology Aids You might also consider simple home technology to enhance her safety. Monitored medical alert systems are among the most common – wearable “help buttons,” some with fall detection, that allow her to call for help 24/7 while immediately notifying you. These typically cost around $1 per day. Other options include motion or contact sensors placed around the home to track daily routines and alert you to unusual activity, or a small security camera with night vision, motion detection and two-way audio that allows you to check in visually and even speak directly with her. Basic sensors and cameras can cost under $35, though they require Wi-Fi and do raise privacy considerations, so it’s important to discuss them with your mother beforehand. While no solution can eliminate every risk, these tools can provide meaningful peace of mind, for both you and your mother, while preserving her independence. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nr ior
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Page 13 APARTMENTS FOR RENT www.mastrocola.com 1. On March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Taft and the Japanese Ambassador’s wife planted two of what tree in D.C.? 2. What galaxy is the earth in? 3. Traditionally, Tennessee whiskey is made with charcoal from what kind of tree? 4. On March 28, 1930, what was renamed Istanbul? 5. What is the human body’s strongest muscle? 6. Where is bluebonnet a state flower and chili the state dish? 7. On March 29, 1917, what American racehorse was foaled that would win 20 of 21 races? 8. What besides a type of tournament does round-robin mean? 9. In the 1830s to what state were Native Americans removed via the Trail of Tears? 10. On March 30, 1949, what island country joined NATO? 11. German comedian Hans Traxler wrote the hoax book “The truth about Hansel and Gretel,” including a fake archeological dig that found a recipe for what? 12. Since 1962 who has had the NBA record of scoring 100 points in a game? 13. On March 31, 1903, Ebenezer Butterick, of Sterling, Mass., died; he invented what that comes in different sizes of paper? 14. The smallest bird and frog are found in what baseball-loving Caribbean country? 15. What World War I movie set in the desert has no female characters? 16. On April 1, 2019, what Tampa Bay Buccaneers player announced his (fake) retirement? 17. In Nice, France, a jumbo firecracker goes off at noon for lunch break; what salad is Nice known for? 18. For an April Fools’ joke, The Guardian newspaper printed a travelogue about San Serriffe Island that included typography terms like pica, which is what? 19. What continent that includes Cape Horn are electric eels native to? 20. April 2 is International Children’s Book Day; April 2 is the birthday of what fairy tale author whose name includes a religion’s name? ANSWERS American Exterior and Window Corporation Contact us for all of your home improvement projects and necessities. Call Jeff or Bob Toll Free: 1-888-744-1756 617-699-1782 / www.americanexteriorma.com Windows, Siding, Roofing, Carpentry & More! All estimates, consultations or inspections completed by MA licensed supervisors. *Over 50 years experience. *Better Business Bureau Membership. Insured and Registered Complete Financing Available. No Money Down. BUDGET SERVICES RUBBISH REMOVAL * Interior-Exterior Demolition Bathroom/Kitchen/Decks, Etc. * All Types of Debris Removed * Pick-up Truck Load of Trash starting at $239. ~ Licensed & Insured ~ Call (978) 494-3443 Clean-Outs! We take and dispose from cellars, attics, garages, yards, etc. Call Robert at: 781-844-0472 We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! Frank Berardino MA License 31811 • 24 - Hour Service • Emergency Repairs BERARDINO Plumbing & Heating Residential & Commercial Service Gas Fitting • Drain Service 617.699.9383 Senior Citizen Discount Steps Stoops Rebuilt or Repaired Chimney Rebuilt or Repaired House Foundation Leaks Repaired All Basement Repairs Walkways, Driveways & Patios Installed Chimney Inspection Roofing & Siding Installed Masonry Repairs Window Installation & Repairs Drywall & Carpentry Waterproofing The Kid Does Clean Outs From 1 item to 1,000 * Basements * Homes * Backyards * Commercial Buildings The cheapest prices around! Call Eric: (857) 322-2854 For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or info@advocatenews.net 1. Cherry (That ceremony became the National Cherry Blossom Festival.) 2. Milky Way 3. Sugar maple 4. Constantinople 5. Jaw muscle 6. Texas 7. Man o’ War 8. Something in writing (sometimes sent) signed by several people 9. Oklahoma 10. Iceland 11. The gingerbread used to make the witch’s house 12. Wilt Chamberlain 13. Tissue paper clothing patterns 14. Cuba (bee hummingbird and Mount Iberia frog) 15. “Lawrence of Arabia” 16. Tom Brady 17. Salade Niçoise (On April Fools’ Day, the firecracker goes off at a different time.) 18. A unit of measure (General M.J. Pica was the dictator of the fictional San Serriffe; sans serif is a typestyle.) 19. South America 20. Hans Christian Andersen
Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026
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