Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, AprIl 17, 2026 ~ letter to the Editor ~ Several vacant former elementary school buildings offer an opportunity for Saugus Dear Editor: As a concerned resident of Saugus, I want to share my perspective on the challenges our town continues to face and a practical path forward that could benefit all residents. Thanks to prudent financial management by the current administration and town officials, Saugus has built a strong overall reserve position — with approximately $40 million in combined stabilization fund and free cash. (The stabilization fund itself is currently around $21 million, or 17.35% of the budget, while free cash sits at about $18 million.) This combined cushion provides a meaningful financial buffer and represents real progress as we work to address ongoing budgetary pressures. It is a far cry from the empty reserves and receivership concerns of the past, and we should be grateful for that stability. That said, the recent contentious debate over increasing the level-service budget for our Humane Removal Service COMMONWEALTH WILDLIFE CONTROL ANIMAL & BIRD REMOVAL INCLUDING RODENTS CALL 617-285-0023 Discount Tree Service 781-269-0914 * Interior & Exterior Carpentry * Kitchen & Bath * Roofs * Painting * Decks * Siding * Licensed & Insured * Free Estimates Carrijohomeimprovement.com Call 781-710-8918 * Saugus, MA Professional TREE REMOVAL & Cleanups 24-HOUR SERVICE Carrijo Home Improvement, Inc. General Contractor public school system highlights a deeper issue. While no one disputes the need for adequate school funding, simply raising taxes or drawing down our reserves should not be the only options. Our leaders must actively brainstorm new and sustainable revenue sources to support our schools and all other town services without placing undue burden on taxpayers. A clear opportunity lies in the several vacant former elementary school buildings that currently generate no revenue while our municipal services remain strained. In recent years, these empty structures have sat idle — reminders of declining enrollment and past consolidations. Roughly 26 percent of schoolaged Saugus residents currently do not attend our public schools. This statistic is not just a data point; it is a red flag indicating both unmet demand for educational choices and untapped potential for the town. My suggestion is straightforward: town officials should immediately explore repurposing these vacant properties to host a new Catholic school, ideally through a partnership with the Archdiocese or a qualified Catholic educational organization (via lease, sale, or public-private collaboration). This approach could turn a negative into a double positive by delivering multiple benefits: • A new, reliable revenue stream for the town without relying solely on tax increases or reserve draws. • An influx of new homebuyers attracted to a community offering both strong public and faithbased education options, which would help increase local property values. • Relief for our public schools by reducing classroom sizes, allowing educators to deliver an even stronger educational experience for families who choose to remain in the public system. • A stronger, more cohesive community rooted in neighborly and family-centered values that Catholic education has long promoted. For too many decades, Saugus has seen its younger families and youth migrate away. Creating a vibrant new Catholic school could help reverse that trend by making our town a more attractive place for young families to put down roots and raise children. A small group has attempted to use our students as a political tactic to cast shade on the current administration amid the school-budget discussions. In my view, this misses the larger point: the pressure for increased school funding is not a failure of leadership, but rather a clear indicator that our town needs more overall revenue to meet growing demands across all services. I urge our Select Board, School Committee, and Finance Committee to set partisanship aside and begin serious, collaborative discussions on this opportunity. With creativity and forward thinking, we can protect our reserves, avoid unnecessary tax hikes, support our public schools, and build a brighter, more vibrant future for every family in Saugus. Sincerely, Mark V. Sacco Jr. Saugus Resident Savvy Senior by Jim Miller What Causes Dizziness and How to Fix It Dear Savvy Senior, What can cause dizziness in older adults? I have dizzy spells from time to time but I’m not sure what causes it or what I should do about it. --Dizzy Donna Dear Donna, Whether it’s a moment of lightheadedness or the room-whirling sensation of vertigo, dizziness can be very unsettling. As many as 30 percent of people older than 60 experience dizziness at some point, about 50 percent after age 85. This unpleasant sensation only rarely signifies a serious medical condition. But it can knock you off balance, leading to falls and injuries. That’s why anytime you feel dizzy, you should lower yourself to a safe, seated position. Here’s a brief rundown of what typically causes dizziness and what you can do to fix it. What Causes Dizziness One of the most common causes of dizziness and vertigo in older adults is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This occurs when tiny crystals in the inner ear, which play a role in balance, become dislodged. BPPV is more likely as we get older because wear and tear can cause the crystals to shift out of place. The resulting dizziness is generally triggered by changes in head position. People with BPPV often complain that the room spins when they roll over in bed, get into or out of bed, tip their head back, bend over, or make other quick head movements. These episodes usually last only a minute or two, but they may happen intermittently over a period of time. A drop in blood pressure may also cause dizziness, even fainting, especially when changing position from sitting or lying down to standing. This so-called postural hypotension is often the result of problems with blood pressure medication. If this is something that occurs on a regular basis, you need to be evaluated by your doctor. Certain sedatives, antidepressants, cough and cold medicines, and antibiotics can lead to dizziness, too. Dehydration may be another culprit in postural hypotension. Staying hydrated is extremely important for balance, blood pressure, and general well-being. Declines in vision and hearing (including ear infections and impacted earwax) may also affect your balance. When to Call a Doctor Occasional dizziness that lasts only for a few seconds is probably no cause for worry, but you should still let your doctor know. If it persists for several minutes or more or keeps happening, call your doctor right away. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance, along with facial drooping, trouble speaking, nausea, and vision or hearing disturbances can signal a stroke. If this happens call 911. Treatment for Dizziness If your doctor thinks you have BPPV, they can teach you the Epley maneuver, where you turn your head and body in ways that move ear crystals back into place. For medication related dizziness, your doctor can change your medication or dosage to reduce the side effects. For persistent problems, your doctor can check for infections, balance disorders, and more serious issues, such as tumors, congestive heart failure, an irregular heart rhythm, and conditions like Parkinson’s disease. If none are found, your doctor may recommend vestibular rehab, which may help with dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. Anxiety and depression can also cause dizziness in some people. Treating this may ease your lightheadedness. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
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