THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023 Page 5 “You’re doing it because it’s from your heart and we can see that,” she said. Selectman Panetta left the meeting early after recusing herself. She had requested a continuance at last week’s meeting, saying she needed to get an opinion from the state Ethics Commission about a potential confl ict of interest. She didn’t explain what the potential confl ict was. Erick Sevla, a personal friend who worked during the hearing as an interpreter for De Jesus, said the tattoo artist “uses his art to give people a better life.” People who have lost loved ones are able to find peace and memorialize their friends with tattoo art. De Jesus has plans to use his art to help people with cancer and scars on their bodies, according to Sevla. AUTOTECH Supporters in the second fl oor auditorium at Town Hall gave Antonio Moura De Jesus a standing ovation after selectmen voted 4-0 in support of the tattoo artist with Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta abstaining. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler). old nephew “who got killed serving his country.” Robin, a 72-year-old grandmother with two tattoos, said she is very proud of them. She stressed the town needs businesses to fi ll the empty storefronts, and a business that offers tattoos is invaluable to women who have a mastectomy and “cover that scar with something beautiful.” Several speakers talked about the value of tattoos to help people remember their loved ones. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Robert J. Camuso, Sr. said it is admirable that De Jesus is striving to work in the town where he lives. “A negativity tonight will shut possibilities down in the future,” he said. Camuso, like a number of speakers, called attention to the past stigma of tattoo parlors. “I think it’s time this town grows up,” Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano said. He noted that back in 2011, Saugus selectmen voted 5-0 against a tattoo parlor. Two years later, selectmen voted 3-2 against another proposal. Cogliano said the town has been behind the times when it comes to tattoo parlors. “I have four kids, one [tattoo] for each of them,” Cogliano said. “I have two on my back for my grandkids,” he said. School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould said he wanted to address the town, but as a citizen rather than a town offi cial. He off ered Selectman Serino some personal advice regarding his position on tattoos. “I hope you thought about this over the week,” Gould said, referring to some of the criticism that Serino had drawn on social media. “I hope you opened your mind,” he said. Serino answered that “all that stuff on Facebook doesn’t bother me at all.” But Serino $$ CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! $$ DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! Cold Hard Cash for Your Vehicle! GET YOUR VEHICLE SPRING READY! Our Spring Service includes: • Complete Safety Check • AC Check • Engine Light Check • Suspension Check with Oil Change Special Only $79.95 2012 SMART CAR CABRIOLET Convertible, Excellent Condition, Deluxe Package, Heated Seats, Most Power Options, Clean Title, Only 81K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! Monize Santos Baldi and her husband Antonio Moura De Jesus were happy after Wednesday night’s (March 29) vote by selectmen to issue him a Special Permit (S-2) for a tattoo parlor. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) said before his vote that he is infl uenced by public opinion on the issues and that it is clear to him that the public supports a tattoo parlor located on Hamilton Street. After the meeting, De Jesus was visibly happy and relieved with the board’s fi - nal vote. “In my mind, I didn’t have a second option,” he said through an interpreter. He said he’s been paying $4,500 a month in rent since November. He and his wife, Monize Santos Baldi, have been married eight years and left Brazil for America four years ago. With his S-2 permit in hand, he said, he still has to satisfy other town requirements before opening his tattoo studio to the public. He expects to open in late May. Early in the meeting, Selectman Corinne Riley called it “mind-boggling” that selectmen had concerns over tattoo parlors. “This is a time that has changed. It’s art and it means something to people,” Riley said. $9,900 Easy Financing Available! (Most vehicles. Restrictions apply) 2013 KIA SOUL Loaded with Power Options, Sun Roof, Heated Seats, Remote Starter, Clean Title, Only 86K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! $8,995 (781) 321-8841 • (617) 571-9869 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com Vehicle! 4.50 9 Month CD Savings make dreams possible. NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE SAVING FOR, THIS RATE IS HARD TO IGNORE. Here’s your chance to run the numbers in your favor. Everett Bank’s 9 Month CD with an amazing 4.50% APY* gets you closer earnings with Everett Bank’s 9 Month CD. Go to everettbank. com to easily open your account on-line in just minutes. Open your account on-line in minutes! %APY* We Pay Cash For Your *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of the date posted and is subject to change without notice. APY assumes that interest
6 Publizr Home