Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 19, 2024 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 15 to recycle hard plastics. The rest of the Facility’s features are free to use for any Saugus resident. Residents are also allowed three TVs or computers/CRT monitors for free per household each year. The Town of Saugus reserves the right to refuse any material if quantity or quality is questionable. The final date the CHaRM Center will be open for the season is December 14. However, the Facility will be open the following winter dates, weather permitting: January 18, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; February 15, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; March 15, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please contact Solid Waste/ Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with an questions. Spring curbside leaf collection begins May 6 The Town of Saugus announces that spring curbside leaf collection will take place during the week of May 6. Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day, between Monday, May 6, and Friday, May 10. Leaves should be left outside at the curb by 7 a.m. on the appropriate days. Please ensure that leaf containers are physically separated from trash and recycling. Paper leaf bags are the preferred method of leaf disposal. If you are using barrels, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Stickers, which are free, may be obtained at Inspectional Services in the lower level of Town Hall at 298 Central St., Saugus. Barrel covers must remain removed so that the leaves are visible. Plastic bags, cardboard boxes, branches and brush will not be accepted. Please note that separate trucks collect the rubbish, recycling and leaves, so the leaves may be collected at a different time of day. “Missed pick-ups” will not be conducted. Please contact Scott Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions. 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. Food Pantry notes The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, April 19) from 9:3011 a.m. Legion Breakfast today 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 in 2024. 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. Selectmen meetings this spring The ongoing Finance Committee meetings every Wednesday at 7 p.m. are getting most of the attention at Town Hall in the weeks leading up to the Annual Town Meeting (May 6). But selectmen will be meeting twice a month during April and May. Here’s their current schedule: April 30, May 14 and May 28. Countdown Till Town Meeting It is very disappointing that more Town Meeting members aren’t taking advantage of an opportunity to share their concerns about top issues townwide and within their districts by participating in our ongoing series, “Countdown Till Town Meeting.” Two out of five, like we’ve had twice over the last three weeks, is rather poor. Then again, it does mirror the results we had in a few precincts during our “Saugus Over Coffee” cable television series last year. But the School Committee is monitoring “Countdown Till Town Meeting” closely. We received a letter from the entire School Committee this week. Members took great umbrage to comments made by several Town Meeting members commenting on school issues. Here is the letter: As a School Committee, we feel compelled to respond to erroneous information, including some that was published in last week’s Advocate. A question was placed to Town Meeting members asking for their top priorities for the town. Some answered in part or exclusively about changes they will make to the school department, and of their recent appointment to school subcommittees. These members have previously stated they will oversee and audit the School Committee, have publicly demanded the School Committee follow their agenda, and have publicly commented on specific students, with limited information and in violation of student privacy. We wish to be very clear. No elected official has been appointed by the School Committee to any subcommittee. Town Meeting does not administer the school department or the School Committee. We will not allow student privacy to be violated for political reasons. Much of the information posted on social media, as to be expected, is factually incorrect or misleading. If you have a question, please reach out to the district or to a School Committee member for a correct answer. We are committed and focused on student safety, as well as student achievement. We are working on the whole student as well as the betterment of the district. We are not politicizing students or trying to enact a political platform. We are not trying to impress residents on social media. We are doing the work we promised to do. As a town, we are all smart enough to see what is happening here. As a town and a school, we should not let outside entities divide us. We will never agree on everything, but with honest communication, an acknowledgement of our individual strengths and abilities, and through working together, we can achieve great things for the students, parents, and citizens of this great town. Sincerely, The Saugus School Committee Scholarship aid for Saugus High students Charlotte Line of the Saugus High School Alumni Association requested that we publish the following information in this week’s paper. “Saugus High School Alumni, Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, Saugus High Grads, please encourage your graduating seniors to apply for SHS Alumni Association scholarships. “Sunday, April 27th, anytime from 5 to 8 pm “Seniors should bring their Alumni Worksheet Scholarship Application. “They can pick it up in the guidance office at the High School and go to the MEG Building, 54 Essex Street, Saugus. They will need to be prepared to complete two short essays. “We are encouraging students that plan to pursue a career in the trades. Electrician, plumbing HVAC, any trade school program. We have received Scholarship money for those seeking to further a career in the trades. Scholarships up to $5,000. being awarded. “We look forward to seeing your seniors.” Tree Art Workshop at the library Tomorrow Local artist and tree enthusiast Kelly Slater and the Saugus Public Library invite you to participate in a workshop on depicting trees. Using a wide variety of playful and relaxing techniques, we will most definitely be “coloring outside the lines.” As we look deeply at trees, we will create our own unique and heartfelt interpretations of their awe-inspiring forms. Photos of distinguished trees of Saugus will be provided. However, we strongly encourage students to bring a photo or two of their own distinguished Saugus trees. Students will have the opportunity to exhibit one or more of their tree depictions at the library’s May exhibit, “Distinguished Trees of Saugus.” The workshop is tomorrow (Saturday, April 20) and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a 30-minute break midway through. It is appropriate for all skill levels and for ages high school on up. Both the workshop and materials are free of charge. Advance registration is required. To reserve your seat, register online starting April 1 on the events calendar at sauguspubliclibrary.org/events For any questions about the course content, email Kelly at kellyslaterart@hotmail.com with “Distinguished Trees Workshop” in the subject line. 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. What’s going on at the library? ● The Spring Break Scavenger Hunt, from Tues., April 16, through Sat., April 20. This popular event is recommended for children three and up. “Stop by anytime during the break, and have fun finding all new characters. There will be treats!” Amy said. There’s always something interesting going on at the library. Here are a few activities worth checking out next month: ● Toni Gangi’s Italian American Street Culture & the Street Organ on Monday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. The hand-cranked street organ has a historical connection to Italian-American culture, particularly in Boston. Italian immigrants brought the hand-cranked street organ to the United States, where it became a melodious fixture in Italian neighborhoods. Join Gangi and hear him play the music of the streets on his Barrel Organ. He may even make his talk really hit home, as he’s researching Saugus history involving organ grinders for his talk. ● Peter Jackson’s Magic To Go on Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. Reservations are required – ages six and up – reservations open April 15. Seating is limited. ● Check this one out if you are concerned about hackers and cyber crooks. The Saugus Public Library will be hosting Robert Siciliano on Saturday, May 4, at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room. His topic will be “Hackers, Attackers and Thieves: Cyber, Social, Identity, and Personal Protection.” Siciliano is a Boston based security expert and private investigator with 30+ years of experience, the #1 Best Selling Amazon.com author of five books and the architect of the CSI Protection certification; a Cyber Social Identity and Personal Protection security awareness training program. Siciliano will be discussing various hack attacks, including everything from check, washing scams, the vicious grandparent scam, how they occur and how to prevent them and become a tougher target. He will discuss various tools to manage passwords, protect your devices and manage your digital lives. This interactive time together will use real-life examples to instruct attendees of all ages on how to avoid the risks associated with hackers, attackers and thieves. This informative and timely program is being generously sponsored by the Saugus Garden Club and the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register at https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events or call 781-231-4168 ext. 3106. THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 17
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