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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 26, 2024 Page 9 Finance Committee member questions if the town would save money on trash disposal by signing a Host Community Agreement with WIN Waste By Mark E. Vogler F inance Committee Member Marc Magliozzi broached the issue of whether it would make economic sense for the town to enter a Host Community Agreement with WIN Waste Innovations in order to eliminate the town’s expense for trash halting and trash incineration. Discussion of the issue came up as the Finance Committee reviewed more than $2.6 million that is budgeted for waste collection and disposal expenses in the proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year that begins July 1 “So, now if we were to as a community agree on a Host Communi ty Agreement , some of this money would be gone?” Magliozzi asked Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree at Wednesday night’s meeting. “We have a Host Community Agreement,” Crabtree insisted. “Since Ed Collins was here,” he said of the former town manager who served from 1977-79 and reached a tax agreement deal with Wheelabrator, the previous owner of the trash-to-energy incinerator on Route 107 Magliozzi was referring to the tentative, nonbinding agreement reached by selectmen with WIN Waste Innovations which would allow the company to continue using the ash landfill. “You talking about what they presented in the PowerPoint,” Crabtree asked, referring to the meetings last year between four of the selectmen and WIN Waste officials. Magliozzi asked if the town could save money by going along with that agreement. He referred to the money the town is budgeted to spend on trash hauling and incineration. “So it would save us that money if we did the Host Community Agreement,” Magliozzi asked. Crabtree didn’t answer the question directly, but suggested an analogy. “I guess it would be the equivalent if your child is 12 years old and he wants to get his license. You take him down to the registry,” Crabtree said. “What do they tell you at the registry? “ the town manager asked. Magliozzi answered; “Come back when you are 16 ½” “Correct,” Crabtree answered. “So, when the state allows it, the Board of Health would have authority looking at site modification,” Crabtree said. A year ago, selectmen supported a HCA on a 3-2 vote, which has no legal basis. The agreement would have to be negotiated by the town manager and wouldn’t take effect unless the state allows the company to expand its ash landfill. If the state loosened the regulations at the ash landfill and the town manager negotiated an agreement with WIN Waste, Saugus would receive $20 million over the next 20 years while WIN Waste could continue use of the ash landfill, according to the HCA supported by a majority of the selectmen. Mary Urban, Senior Director of Communications & Community for WIN Waste, issued a statement yesterday, reiterating the company’s recent position that continuing to use the ash landfill in Saugus is the best option for all parties. “ The Host Community Agreement (HCA)approved by the Board of Selectmen does stipulate a date for the closing of the landfill. One significant difference is that the HCA includes $20 million in economic benefits to the Town,” Urban said. “The HCA also includes significant environmental benefits, including formalizing lower emission limits, continuing to support and manage the Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, and installing a standalone air monitor,” she said. Teamwork triumphs: Saugus girls lacrosse banking on historical season By Dom Nicastro B arbara Guarente, the head coach of the Saugus High School girls lacrosse team, has been leading her team with a vision focused on growth and teamwork. As she navigates her second year with the varsity team and the eighth year of the program overall, she shared insights into the team’s current season, strategies and player dynamics during a recent interview. Saugus started out by winning four of its seven games this season. Guarente highlighted the team’s encouraging start to the season, which she considers one of the best beginnings in the program’s recent history. She expressed optimism about qualifying for the TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 4 tional Math, Social Education and Vocational Skills. This would occur for an hour and a half after school each day Monday–Thursday; four sixweeks sessions two afternoons a week for an hour and a half each day. Saugus High School There would be programing for Early College Courses, Alternative courses for students working outside of the traditional school day and Tutoring Hub. Special Education extended day enrichment oftournament for the first time, citing upcoming challenging games. “Hopefully, this year our plan is to make it to the tournament for the first time,” she said, emphasizing the significance of the milestone. The coach detailed substantial improvements in player skills, particularly in “transition downfield” and “teamwork.” She noted that the players are now comfortable relying on one another rather than just a few individuals, which has enhanced the team’s overall dynamic. “They’re going to everybody on the team and not just picking out one or two players that they feel comfortable with,” Guarente explained, highlighting a shift toward a more inclusive and cooperative play style. ferings for targeted populations would include Vocational Skills, Social Awareness, Functional Math, Social Education, Open Spaces–Staffed, Open Gym (when available), Open Fitness Center and Open Learning Commons Special Education Activities. As stated for each school, there would need to be a person on duty as administrator in charge for the hours that this program is open. There would be no cost for students and the program would be based on funding. This would be open for up to four hours after the close of school Monday–Thursday. Despite a promising season, Guarente pointed out the difficulty in retaining young talent, as many trained players often move to other schools. This attrition impacts team stability and growth but also opens opportunities for new players to step up. “We trained 10 eighth-graders and one came back; the rest went to other schools,” she recounted, describing a common challenge in maintaining team numbers. Leadership on the team is strong, with captains Violet Hawley, Juliana Scalis and Nina Penachio bringing unique strengths to their roles. Each captain has contributed significantly, both in scoring and in boosting team morale. “Violet is a great defender, very aggressive and plays mid and defense,” Guarante said. “Wherever you need her. She’s worked really hard. Nina is an attack person with great skill work and catching and shooting on net and getting her teammates rallied. And Juliana plays the mid also and tries to get the play set up and works hard at communicating with everybody to get J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. in position and pass it around. All three of them have scored which is nice.” Sara Rovcorin has handled net duties. Coach Guarente emphasized the need for consistency as the main area for improvement. She expressed a desire for the team’s practice performance to translate more reliably into game situations. “Consistency would be nice,” Guarente said. “To see whatever you see in practice you would love to see in the game.” S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. 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