SASAUGUSUGUS Your locally owned newspaper for 25 years! Vol. 25, No. 17 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Time To Play Ball 781-233-4446 Friday, April 29, 2022 Town Meeting 2022 Members will consider the creation of a stabilization fund for the vocational school construction project at next Monday’s special session By Mark E. Vogler T THESE PIRATES LOVE A PARADE: The Pirates, along with other boys’ baseball teams, helped to kick off the 2022 season for the Saugus American and National League last Saturday with a parade. For more photos of Opening Day, please see inside. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) A Pretty, Oversized Sparrow he $317 million Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School Construction Project in Wakefi eld should draw considerable discussion at a Special Town Meeting set for Monday (May 2). A proposal to create a Stabilization Fund for Saugus’s share of the project and a related request for $500,000 to start it are among 13 warrant articles that will be considered when Town Meeting members convene at 7:30 p.m. in the second fl oor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree told Finance Committee members at Wednesday’s (April 27) budget review session that it will cost the Town of Saugus about $1.3 million a year over the next 30 years. Crabtree said he wants to create a dedicated funding source for the town’s share of debt service. He has expressed concerns about a potentially devastating impact on town services — particularly the Police Department, the Fire Department and the Department of Public Works — if the town were forced to fund the Voke school assessment through its operating budget. This will mark the fi rst time in three years that the 50-member Town Meeting has convened in person since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. Special and Annual Town Meetings have been conducted remotely, via Zoom videoconferencing. The Annual Town Meeting is also scheduled to get underway Monday night. This year’s warrant includes 38 articles — the major one being passage of the town’s $120.4 million budget for the 2023 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. “A lot of unknowns” Saugus is one of a dozen communities in the Voke School District. The amount of its share of debt service estimated for the 2023 Fiscal Year is $203,449. TOWN MEETING | SEE PAGE 7 This Eastern towhee, with its colorful plumage, has been spotted in North Saugus. Please see inside for more photos and this week’s “Saugus Gardens in the Spring.” (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Charles Zapolski) ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Great Opportunity to own a piece of Route One! This long standing area and great visibility. Four leased units and one vacant unit with front exposure - ready for new owner. View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. ASNGELO’ FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $3.979 Mid Unleaded $4.259 Super $4.359 Diesel Fuel $5.759 "43 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2021 KERO $7.99 DEF $4.75 9 Diesel $5.549 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A A DA Prices subject to change Ask about our Heating Oil FLEET
Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 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 Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net Billy Tse’s 441 Revere St., Revere (781) 286-2882 www.Billytserevere.com Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM; Friday & Saturday, 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM • Order Online: www.order.mealkeyway.com • Reservations: Billytserevere.com Sushi Chef David, formerly of Super Fusion in Boston with Billy Tse’s owner, Xiang Wang at the brand new Sushi bar. New Sushi Bar Now Open! Sushi Specials: Sushi Cupcake 4 pcs - $18 / 8 pcs- $35 Broiled fresh lobster, sea scallop, pressed sushi rice Hatata Kaiyaki $10.95 Sea scallop, crab meat, and shrimp. Tobiko baked in spicy mayo. Topped of scallop shell. Spicy Salmon Tartar $9.95 Salmon, Avo, Tobiko, Tempura flakes. Spicy mayo mix topped with taro chip. Sea Spoon (4 spoon) $18.95 Uni, Ikura, quail eggs, scallion and Panzu sauce. n Guitar jam sessions May 9 in Wakefi eld Come to the next Guitar League meeting on Monday, May 9th and learn all about hybrid picking with renowned area guitarist Charlie Ortalani. Guitar League is a community of guitarists of all skill levels (Rookies, Minors & Majors) sharing guitar skills, knowledge, techniques and fun. Beginners and rusty players welcome. Come for musical encouragement, inspiration & fun. Fresh clinics every month. We meet at the Onset School of Music, 4 Audubon Road, Wakefield, MA. (339) 293-9393. 6:30 — 9:00 and BRING YOUR GUITAR! Your fi rst meeting is always free! UNDER THE LIGHTS: A nighttime aerial view of World Series Park, where Saugus High School will play its fi rst night baseball game later today. (Photo Courtesy to The Saugus Advocate by Jim Harrington) Historic night for Sachems Saugus High plays its fi rst night baseball game — tonight (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release World Series Park issued this week.) F or the first time in the history of Saugus High School baseball, a night game will be played tonight (Friday, April 29) at World Series Park. Saugus will face Greater Lawrence at 7 p.m. The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by Dr. Han Soo Lho, a Saugus dentist and owner of Saugus Dental Center, who was a major donor to the World Series Park Lighting Fund. The color guard from Beverly High School Junior Marine Corps ROTC will also participate. “After saving and fundraising over seventeen years, we were able to install the lights at the end of last season,” World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis said. “To my knowledge, a night high school baseball game has never been played in Saugus. The lights will provide more extended use of the field. We have a full schedule of night games already planned for this season,” Davis said. “We extend an invitation to all former Saugus High baseball players to attend Friday night’s game. Also, the public is invited to experience nighttime baseball in Saugus.”
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 3 Opportunity knocks for Cliftondale Monday’s Special Town Meeting will consider articles that will enable town to buy a vacant bank building and property for the site of a future parking lot By Mark E. Vogler A vacant bank building and the quarter acre lot it sets on provides an opportunity for the town to develop a municipal parking lot in Cliftondale, according to Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. “I’m going to support this at Town Meeting,” Crabtree told the Finance Committee Wednesday night (April 27) of two articles he has introduced that would address the lack of accessible parking — which is considered a major barrier to the revitalization of Cliftondale Square. Article 11 would authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire title to the land and building located at 481-483 Lincoln Ave. Article 12 requests the appropriation of $775,000 to buy the property. These two measures are among 13 warrant articles to be considered at Monday’s (May 2) Special Town Meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. Finance Committee members voted overwhelmingly to recommend passage of Articles 11 and 12 during their Wednesday night meeting. “If the town is serious about revitalizing that area, then I feel this is a good fit,” Finance Committee Chair Kenneth DePatto said. “I feel strongly that this is in the best interests of the town,” DePatto said. One “no” vote Veteran Finance Committee Member Ronald “Rocky” Jessup voted against it, expressing concerns over the increased burden on Saugus taxpayers. “Three years ago, I would have made the motion [to support it] … Three years ago, I would have been all over it,” Jessup said. In explaining his reason for introducing the two articles, Crabtree stressed that the revitalization of Cliftondale Square has become a top priority for town officials. The town manager noted that selectmen and Town Meeting members “have been vocal” about future economic development in the area. He cited the Town Meeting’s creation last year of the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee to study the causes and potential responses to economic trends in the Cliftondale area as an example of that commitment. “As part of the 2022 Master Plan update, Cliftondale was also identified as a top economic development concern and a priority area for public investment and incentives,” said a document that Crabtree presented to the Finance Committee. “The studies identified a primary cause of decline in the commercial sustainability in Cliftondale as a lack of accessible parking in proximity to destinations,” the document stated. “Without available parking many potential patrons of local establishments do not stop in the area for service or products. The conclusions of the studies consistently pointed to the public acquisition of property to allow for exA POSSIBLE SOLUTION: A lack of accessible public parking has contributed to Cliftondale Square’s decline as an important commercial and retail business district in Saugus. But Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and other town offi cials see the purchase of the Loan Center at 481-483 Lincoln Ave. as a way to improve the parking situation. An article to buy the property will be considered at Monday (May 2) night’s Special Town Meeting. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) pansion of accessible public parking.” North Shore Bank decided to list the property earlier this year, and the Town of Saugus decided to put in an offer, which is contingent upon the passage of the town articles, according to Crabtree. Finance Committee Member Theresa Katsos expressed concerns that there would be more costs associated with the property than just the purchase. “There’s going to be a cost to tearing it down,” Katsos said. “You don’t know if there’s asbestos in the building,” she said. Crabtree said the focus of the articles is to acquire the property. “There are different options and a host of different funding sources as well,” he said. CLIFTONDALE | SEE PAGE 6
Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 O ne of the local Earth Day activities took place on the North Shore Community College campus in Lynn last Friday (April 22). The college’s chapter of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MassPIRG), the North Shore Community College Environmental Club and the Horticulture Department collaborated to plant a pollinator garden near the North entrance to the campus. Horticulture Department Chair Barbara Heath coordinated the event, and members of the faculty, staff and student community assisted in siting the garden as well as doing the digging, planting and watering. Sarah Johnson, a horticulture student from Saugus, was among those involved, and Adjunct Faculty member Laura Eisener, also of Saugus, attended the event. People who are concerned about the environment on a local level like to plant pollinator gardens to attract pollinators like bees, butterfl ies and hummingbirds, which rely on plants in the garden for food and habitat. The pollinators also help to maintain the ecosystem by pollinating plants that animals eat. We Sell Sell Cigars Cigars & AccessoriesAccessories R.YR.Y.O..O. TOBACCOBACCO -------------------TUBESTUBES CIGARCIGAR SMOKERSSMOKERS DELIGHT!DELIGHT! 15 Handmade15 Handmade Churchill Size Churchill Size Cigars including Cigars including a Cohiba - Long a Cohiba - Long wrappedwrapped $43.95 $43.95 Celebrating our 50th Year! HUMIDOR SPECIAL!HUMIDOR SPECIAL! $99.95 Complete!$99.95 Complete! Reg. Priced $149.95Reg. Priced $149.95 * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 STORE HOURS: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday & Holidays: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM An Earth Day Creation Saugus residents join volunteers in planting of a pollinator garden at North Shore Community College’s Lynn campus FOR BEES AND BUTTERFLIES: Horticulture students Sarah Johnson (center), Ah Young Cho (left) and Science Department faculty member Chuck Wall contributed their expertise to the plant placement in the new pollinator garden at the Lynn campus of North Shore Community College on Earth Day. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) Cigar Cigar BundlesBundles starting starting at $49.95 at $49.95 -------------------GIFT CARDSGIFT CARDS AVAILABLEAILABLE BuyBuy Cigars by theCigars by the Box & SA Box & SAVE!VE! CompetitiveCompetitive prices on all prices on all Brands, Great Brands, Great Selection Selection A “Zo” day in Saugus Former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will join an Earth Day cleanup at Stocker Playground on Sunday; event will include environmental learning stations for students and others (Editor’s Note: The following story is based on a press release issued this week by WIN Waste Innovations.) F ormer New England Patriots quarterback and 98.5 The Sports HUB broadcaster Scott Zolak will join members of the Saugus community on Sunday (May 1) in an Earth Day event involving the cleanup of Stocker Playground, which is part of the Saugus River watershed. The event, which is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will include learning stations designed for students and others to learn about local environmental challenges and solutions. The event — sponsored and organized by WIN Waste Innovations (formerly Wheelabrator Saugus — will be held at Stocker Playground (28 Winter St., Saugus). WIN Waste Innovations (win-waste. com) is a company committed to reliable waste and recycling solutions and sustainability at every step in the process. Saugus residents, community leaders, students, WIN employees and others plan on attending. Zolak will be there from 10-11 a.m. Zolak played for the ZOLAK IS COMING TO SAUGUS: Popular sportscaster and former New England Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak plans to be in Saugus on Sunday (May 1) to participate in an Earth Day cleanup at Stocker Playground, 28 Winter St. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Patriots from 1992-98 and currently serves as color commentator on their radio broadcasts as well as cohost of the Zolak & Bertrand show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 designed to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events involving a billion people in more than 193 countries.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 5 at the Saugus Iron Works Music on May 8 Another Free Sunday Concert from the Saugus Public Library! T he Saugus Public Library will be sponsoring another free Sunday concert next month. This one is set for May 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. This concert will feature a trombone quartet from the New England Conservatory (NEC) — The Four Paper Clips is an NEC Honors Ensemble. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the Community Room at the Library. The Four Paper Clips started performing as a chamber ensemble in September of 2021 at NEC. The group consists of Jaehan Kim, Lukas Helsel, Noah Nichilo (tenor trombonists) and Changwon Park (bass trombone). Coached by the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) bass trombonist, James Markey, they have worked together to create a diverse repertoire. Members of the quartet are previous winners and fi nalists of competitions such as the International Trombone Festival, the American Trombone Workshop, Jeju and Swisstbone. Recently the ensemble was chosen to be in the NEC Honors Ensemble Program representing the school in a variety of upcoming community eff orts and chamber performances. Here is some background information about the performers: Jaehan Kim is an NEC student who studies under BSO Principal Trombone Toby Oft. Kim is a native of South Korea and graduated from Sunhwa Arts High School in Seoul, South Korea. Lukas Helsel is an NEC student under Norman Bolter and James Markey. Having grown up in Pittsburgh, Lukas has worked closely with Mike Dorato and Jim Nova. Throughout high school, he was a part of the Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra, Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and the River City Youth Brass Band. Currently, he is a member of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Noah Nichilo is an NEC student who studies under BSO Principal Trombone Toby Oft. Coming from suburban Philadelphia, he has played section leader with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and partaken in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s All-State Orchestra and the National Association for Music Education’s Honors Orchestra. Changwon Park is a Master student at NEC, where he also fi nished a bachelor’s degree under BSO bass trombone James Markey. In his music career, Park has played with numerous professional orchestras in the world. Play List Quartet No. 1 — Steven Verhelst Contrapuntus IX — J.S. Bach Andante Cantabile — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky First Trombone Quartet — Saski Apon Transonance — Marshall Gilkes Editor’s Note: This concert is funded by a generous grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local arm of the Mass Cultural Council. The COVID-19 Update Town reports 69 newly confi rmed cases over the past seven days, no new deaths By Mark E. Vogler T he number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases rose from 56 last week to 69 over the past seven days through yesterday (Thursday, April 28), according to Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. This week’s positive COVID cases reported to the town by the state Department of Public Health (DPH) increased the overall total to 8,855 confi rmed cases, according to Crabtree. In addition, the overall number of deaths since March of 2020 remained at 89. Seven weeks ago, total Saugus deaths related to COVID-19 were listed at 106. But that number was reduced to 88 because of a change in the guidelines used by health offi cials. ~LEGAL NOTICE~ SAUGUS BOARD OF SELECTMEN ANNOUNCEMENT The Saugus Board of Selectmen is accepting applications for appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the town of Saugus, This is a volunteer/ non paid position for Saugus residents. Those interested may submit letter of interest / resume, no later than May 13, 2022. Saugus Board of Selectmen Saugus Town Hall 298 Central Street, Suite 4 Saugus, MA 01906 April 29, 2022 “Our hearts and prayers go out to those families aff ected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said. Meanwhile, there were 27 newly confi rmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the Saugus Public Schools this week (during the period of April 14-27). Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657
Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 OBITUARIES Louis Omer Pelletier 96 , of Saugus, formerly of North Reading and Wakefield, died on April 21, 2022 at Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital in Woburn, where he received excellent care from the skilled and compassionate medical staff . Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of Louis and Eva (Currier) Pelletier who immigrated from the Quebec province of Canada. He grew up in a French-Canadian community in the Castle Hill neighborhood, surrounded by his two sisters, fi ve brothers, and extended family, and attended St. Anne Parish and school. At a young age, he joined his father and brothers working at A. C. Leather Company until he enlisted in the United States Naval Service to protect our country in WWII. He was proud to serve from 1943 to 1945 as Coxswain on the U.S.S. Mount Rushmore in the Pacific theater, most notably during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It was meaningful to him to visit Mount Rushmore later in life. He returned to work in the leather shop, and later began working in the Burlington School Department in 1991, retiring as Head Custodian at Marshall Simonds Middle School after 24 years of service, followed by a 31-year retirement. During his many years living in Wakefi eld, he was an active member of the Wakefi eld Elks where he served as Exalted Ruler twice, enjoyed many close friendships, and engaged in community service. He worked very hard to support his family and he loved to spend time with them, repair and remodel his home, garden, travel, socialize, dance, sing, bowl, golf, camp, fish, and eat, especially chop suey sandwiches at Salem Willows and ice cream at Richardson’s. He was an avid Red Sox fan, so happy to witness their World Series wins in recent years and kept abreast of current affairs in the Boston Globe daily. He supported many veterans’ organizations, attended the dedication of the WWII memorial in Washington DC, and visited the WWII National Museum in New Orleans where a brick has been installed in his honor. He was a devout Catholic, attending St. Joseph Parish in Wakefi eld and St. Theresa Parish in North Reading. Louis is survived by his partner Laraine Tringale. He was predeceased by his wife June CLIFTONDALE | FROM PAGE 3 Uniqueness of property The document Crabtree presented to the Finance Committee cited “the uniqueness of 481-483 Lincoln Avenue as a suitable property to meet the documented need to provide more public parking in Cliftondale.” It listed these reasons: • Few properties become available for sale in this area. This property is at once vacant, available, commercial and accessible on the main road. • The unique lot shape and configuration allow several essential elements for the construction of a public parking lot. The frontage is wide enough to provide adequate and safe two-way access and turning radii on a main road, and the lot is sufficient in width to allow for necessary (Cooke) Pelletier and his wife Evelyn (Horne) Pelletier. He was the cherished father of Marie Jenkins and her husband Jack of Medford, Anne Parker and her husband Ronald of Framingham, Christopher Griffi n and his fi ancé Melissa of North Reading, Karen Langille and her husband Daniel of Reading, Kevin Griffi n and his wife Paula of North Adams, Deborah Scione and her husband James of Malden, and Sheila DiCiccio of Mashpee. Louis was the adored and adoring Papa of 13 grandchildren, 14 great- grandchildren, and 1 great- great- grandchild- Katelyn, Addison, Harrison, Melissa, Dezeree, Alex, Vanessa, Jade, Jennifer, Meghan, Dani, Matthew, Nicole, Danielle, James, Tonitia, Rebecca, Brandon, Katherine, Joseph, Andrew, Arianna, Alyssa, Aubree, James, Kendall, Layla, 24-foot minimum drive aisles and standard parking stalls. • The property has two means of access to diff erent public ways, which allows for public safety equipment to service the site adequately. • The lot is fl at and conducive to cost-eff ective stormwater drainage and snow storage so that the lot can be effi ciently and cost-eff ectively maintained to remain available to the public on a yearround basis. • The lot is close to the MBTA bus stop and important walkable, high-demand facilities in Cliftondale, such as the Post Offi ce and Church, making it a unique opportunity to expand safe pedestrian accessibility in a priority location. • The structure in the lot is of no historic value, unlike many properties in Cliftondale, so demolition for parking would Cayden, Devlin, and Abigail. He was the beloved brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend to many. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St, North Reading, on Wednesday, April 27 at 10:30am. Visitation for relatives and friends at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Tuesday, April 26 from 4-8pm. Interment, Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. In lieu of fl owers, donations may be made to the Elks National Foundation- Scholarship Committee at 2750 N. Lakeview Ave, Chicago, IL 60614-2256 or online at www. elks.org and click on “Elks National Foundation;” or the Veterans of Foreign Wars at VFW Processing Center, P O Box 8958, Topeka, KS 66608-8958 or online at www.vfw.org. not incur any loss of intrinsic value. • The property is legal nonconforming for the purposes of zoning, and commercial reuse or redevelopment of the property is limited, due to the most recent use as a former loan center. Potential change of use to more sustainable businesses would likely require more parking than the current parking and structure could accommodate. “There are no other similar lots that meet all of these minimum documented needs for public parking in Cliftondale,” the document states. “The Town therefore makes this Determination of Uniqueness for 481-483 Lincoln Avenue in the hope that this rare and fl eeting opportunity to acquire land for a documented and benefi cial public purpose in Cliftondale can be achieved.”
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 7 TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 1 “There are a lot of unknowns we don’t have control over,” Crabtree told the Finance Committee Wednesday night, referring to the potential cost of the new vocational school for Saugus taxpayers. Saugus’s enrollment at the Voke has averaged about 193 students in previous years. However, the enrollment is down to 153 students. Crabtree said he’s been unable to get answers from Voke school offi cials about why the town’s enrollment has decreased and whether that will affect its share for funding the new school. The assessment is based on the student enrollment of each city and town and can change annually based on increases or decreases in enrollment, he said. If the Town Meeting passes Article 2 (to create Stabilization Fund), members will vote on Article 3 requesting a $500,000 appropriation into the Fund. The Finance Committee approved both articles. Article 4 seeks authorization for the town to borrow $325,000 for new town vehicles — $275,000 for four police cruisers and $50,000 for a car for the Engineering Department. Crabtree said the purchase of the police cruisers is part of an ongoing program. “We try to bring on four to fi ve cruisers each year,” the town manager said. Article 5 requests an appropriation of $2.1 million for the Fire Department to purchase a new Aerial Ladder Truck to replace Ladder 1, including all of the required equipment carried on the apparatus. Crabtree said the current ladder truck has gone through several major repairs in recent years, including an engine rebuild to keep it serviceable for emergency responses. Article 6 requests $950,000 for the Fire Department to buy a new Pumper Truck to replace the existing pumper. Due to manufacturing demands and supply chain issues, it could take up to 18 months for the apparatus to be built and delivered, according to Crabtree. However, without an appropriation, the town cannot sign a contract with the manufacturer, he said. Veteran Finance Committee Member Ronald “Rocky” Jessup voted to recommend against the purchase of the pumper truck at this time. “It’s just that we got so many things coming in front of us — I just can’t justify it,” Jessup said. “I think the town’s getting overwhelmed with everything coming all at once,” he said. Crabtree said he shares Jessup’s concerns, but added that it’s his job to point out needs for the town and make the requests. Article 7 seeks $500,000 to complete public safety radio and communications infrastructure upgrades. The overall costs of enhancing the public safety system is estimated at $2 million. The town recently received $1 million through a Congressional Directed Spending federal funding request. Article 8 seeks $54,000 to match a Green Communities Grant for the completion of several energy savings projects. They include heating and ventilation equipment motors at the Public Safety Building, Saugus Public Library and the Belmonte STEAM Academy, replacing failing boilers and insulation at the Youth & Recreation Building and installation of refrigerant controls at the Veterans Memorial Learning Center. Article 9 seeks $2.9 million in capital improvements to Town of Saugus—owned buildings. The Town, in collaboration with the Director of Facilities Engineer, has created a multiyear capital improvement plan of Townowned buildings. The plan lists various capital projects and prioritizes them over the next fi ve years. “This is to prevent emergencies and protect investments in the town and schools,” Crabtree said. Finance Committee Member Jessup said there is no doubt the town needs to complete the projects on the list, but questioned whether “we need all of it now.” “I just think it’s going to be very diffi cult for the taxpayer to afford all of this,” Jessup said. Crabtree said it is his job to bring the town’s needs to the attention of public offi cials. Article 10 seeks $150,000 for the repair/replacement of the overhead doors at the Hamilton Street Fire Station. “These doors haven’t worked since 2001,” Crabtree said. “We’ve been repairing them since I’ve been here,” he said. Crabtree said there have been instances when the doors would not open mechanically and had to be opened manually in order for firetrucks to exit during an emergency call. The doors were installed when the building was built as part of a capital improvement program in 1995. Article 13 seeks $150,000 to be transferred to the Other Post-Employment Benefi ts (OPEB) Trust. The balance in the fund was $1.3 million as of March 31 last year. J& $46 yd. S MULCH SALE! Discount Spring Special PICK-UP or DELIVERY AVAILABLE 617-389-1490 Premium Hemlock or Pitch Black BELOW WHOLESALE COSTS LANDSCAPERS WELCOME $4 yd. $42 yd. $3 yd. Banking with a hometown touch. 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Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Subaru of Wakefi eld and #TheRightSeat W akefield, MA — Subaru of Wakefield has partnered with the Wakefi eld Police Department for the second consecutive year to host a car seat check on Saturday, May 14th at the Subaru of Wakefield facility at 618 North Avenue to help parents, grandparents, guardians and others know if their car seat is the right one for their child, or if their car seat is installed correctly. The #TheRightSeat event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free of charge for the community. According to the National Highway Traffi c Safety Association (NHTSA), nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly. Car seats are designed to precise specifi cations to keep children safe, which is why they need to be installed and used correctly. Wakefield’s Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians Sgt. Kevin McCaul, Sgt. Shawn Conway, Offi cer Amy Rando, Offi cer Kelley E. Tobyne, Offi cer Jeanette DeMasi and certifi ed state inspectors will check car seat placement, determine if the car seat is the right size for the child, check the expiration date on the car seat, and check to see that the child is buckled in correctly. Expect • • • ant parents are encouraged to attend the event with their car seat to learn the correct way to install the car seat before their baby arrives. “It’s important that all children are in the correct car seats for their ages and sizes and are buckled up in the back seat,” Wakefi eld Police Sgt. Kevin McCaul said. “The Wakefield Police Department is grateful to Subaru of Wakefield Co-owner Sal Barbagallo for hosting this event at his dealership again this year so that we can accommodate everyone who requires a car seat check. This is an important service that we provide to the community and we are fortunate to be able to host this oneday event in such a convenient location.” “Subaru of Wakefi eld staff knows the importance of vehicle safety and keeping all car occupants safe,” Sal Barbagallo added. “It is a natural fi t that we join with the Wakefi eld Police Department to host this important event, and we are happy to do our part to help our community and its residents.” For information about the May 14th #TheRightSeat event at Subaru of Wakefi eld contact Sgt. Kevin McCaul at kmccaul@wakefi eldpd.org. Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians are also available throughout the year by appointment. Baker makes $7.5M in Gap Energy grants available to municipalities, non-profi ts and small businesses C ontinuing with its efforts to provide Massachusetts municipalities, non-profits and small businesses with clean energy assistance, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced the launch of the Gap III Energy Grant Program, which is designed to implement energy effi ciency and clean energy facility upgrades to qualifi ed entities. Importantly, the program will make available up to $5 million to municipal drinking water and wastewater facilities and up to $2.5 million to non-profi t aff ordable housing, food- and agricultural-producing organizations and small business food-distribution and processing organizations across the Commonwealth. Interested entities can apply or learn more about the program, which is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), by visiting the program’s webpage. “The Gap III Energy Grant Program will complement the Commonwealth’s proactive work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing signifi cant funding to reduce energy use, lower operating costs, increase energy efficiency, or install clean energy at these facilities,” said Energy and Environmental Aff airs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “This innovative grant program will help the state reach our emissions limit of a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050.” The Gap grant program will expedite implementation of previously assessed energy efficiency and clean energy generation projects at qualifi ed facilities. The program is designed to fi ll the last “gap” in project fi nancing as facilities utilize utility incentives and other sources to build on install selected energy efficiency and clean energy projects. Previously reserved for municipal water facilities, the Gap grant has expanded its program to allow non-profi ts and small businesses in the agricultural, aff ordable housing, food-producing, and processing space to gain access to additional funding to implement energy savings that will reach deeper into communities across Massachusetts. “The Gap Energy Grant Program seeks to build on its success in the water utility sector by providing Gap funding to additional facilities, which will present signifi cant opportunities for energy cost savings through building energy effi - ciency upgrades, installation of clean energy, and energy storage systems,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “This expanded program will provide an opportunity for eligible entities to reinvest the fi nancial savings into their facilities and communities, and move us closer to the state’s decarbonization and emissions reduction goals.” These new sectors will benefi t as municipal water facilities have in the past two rounds of Gap grants — helping 64 drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities increase operational efficiencies, while also saving more than $2.5 million in energy costs and producing more than 24,000 megawatt-hours in electricity savings from efficiency and on-site renewable power generation and reducing carbon emissions by nearly 18,000 metric tons each year.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 9 Seasonal safety reminder: Be aware of mulch fi re hazards S tate Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey off ered a fi re safety reminder to homeowners and others who plan on using mulch in upcoming landscaping projects. “Every spring, firefighters across Massachusetts respond to mulch fires on commercial and residential properties,” Ostroskey said. “These include fi res that start with cigarettes and other smoking materials. Remember that mulch is combustible and can easily catch fi re.” The hazard is especially significant around residential structures because fi res that start on the exterior of buildings are usually not detected early. By the time smoke and heat enter the building to trigger a fi re or smoke alarm or sprinkler system, the fi re is already large. Fortunately, many mulch fi res are noticed and extinguished before spreading to a building or motor vehicle. Provide proper smoking receptacles Smokers should never toss their cigarettes into mulch, dried leaves or other debris, and mulch should not be placed in a designated smoking area. To help reduce this unsafe behavior, businesses and homeowners using mulch to spruce up their landscaping should also provide and maintain safe receptacles for disposing of smoking materials. Metal containers with sand are best. Keep mulch at least 18 inches away from buildings Don’t place mulch directly against the side of a building. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00, section 10.13.10.4.1) prohibits the new application of mulch within 18 inches around combustible exteriors of buildings, such as wood or vinyl, but not brick or concrete. Residential buildings with six units or fewer are exempted from this regulation, but all homeowners might wish to adopt these safety practices voluntarily. The regulation applies to all other buildings, including commercial properties. Keep mulch piles at least 30 feet apart The heat generated by large piles of mulch can cause them to ignite, so it is important to maintain a safe distance between piles. This can help prevent a fi re in one pile from spreading to another pile or to a building. The Fire Code (527 CMR 1.00, sections 31.3.6.3.2.2 and 31.3.6.4.3) limits the size of mulch piles and requires distances of 30 feet between piles and 25 feet from the property line. Permits required to store more than 300 cubic yards of mulch Permits from the local fi re department are required wherever more than 300 cubic yards of mulch are produced or stored. Call 911 to report smoldering mulch beds Mulch can generate heat, and a smoldering pile of mulch can ignite. If you see a smoldering mulch bed, please call 911 so the fi re department can make sure it is truly extinguished. Mulch can smolder for a long time before erupting into fl ames. Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti Years! “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” f www.everettaluminum.com Spring is Here! Educate your staff: mulch safety pamphlet The state Department of Fire Services provides an educational pamphlet in English and Spanish on its Mulch Fire Safety page. It provides information that building managers, landscapers and distributors can use to educate their staff . Local fi re departments are encouraged to make it available as well. Major mulch fires Including preliminary data from 2021, there have been more than 400 fires in the past 10 years that started in mulch but spread to buildings. These fires caused five civilian injuries, 30 fire service injuries, two civilian deaths and almost $15 million in damages. Among these fires were a July 10, 2018, fire in Boston that caused an estimated $250,000 in damage to a sixunit apartment building and a May 5, 2015, fi re in Arlington that claimed one person’s life and destroyed 36 apartments and six vehicles. Both fi res were caused by smoking materials that had been discarded into mulch beds.
Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 SAUGUS GARDENS IN THE SPRING Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener T oday is Arbor Day, and many individuals and groups across the SEEDS OF TOMORROW: Tiny samaras forming on red maple will travel on the wind later this spring to create new trees. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) country are observing it by planting trees and engaging in activities that promote appreciation and preservation of trees. Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist, proposed the fi rst Arbor Day in Nebraska in 1872, and it was celebrated on April 10 that year. Morton’s enthusiasm for trees never waned. The idea grew and spread. It continues to be an important spring event today. In 1972, on the 100th anniversary of the original Arbor Day, the Arbor Day Foundation was established to encourage the planting of trees around the world. One of its best-known programs, Tree City USA, was begun in 1976. Saugus has been a Tree City USA for 23 years. In the last 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has planted and distributed nearly 500 million trees in more than 50 countries around the world. Currently, National Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April. Actual tree planting events may be held around that time or at the best planting time depending on climate in various parts of the United States. For us, late April is an ideal time for planting trees as the soil has warmed and temperatures are appropriate. The year 2022 marks the 150th year that Arbor Day has been celebrated, and 50 years since the founding of the Arbor Day Foundation. One of the most dramatic trees in town is the large American elm (Ulmus americana) at the intersection of Main Street and Route 1. Its location at the edge of the Saugus VFW S/Sgt. Arthur F. DeFranzo Post 2346 Bridge and not far from Saugus High School means that many people pass this tree every day. It is a remnant of the great elms that once lined many American streets in the 19th century, including many streets in Saugus. Most died of Dutch elm disease in the 20th century, but a few remain, and breeders have developed some new varieties resistant to Dutch elm disease. One such resistant tree, a ‘Valley Forge’ elm, was planted in 2015 at the Saugus Ironworks — donated by the Saugus Tree Committee for the 200th anniversary of Saugus’s incorporation as a town separate from Lynn. The AN ARBOR DAY DELIGHT: This magnifi cent elm at the corner of Route 1 and Main Street is the remnant of street trees that used to be common in many towns in the 19th century. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) SPRING BLOOMER: One of a pair of pale yellow magnolias on the Roby School lawn — these are among the earliest trees to fl ower. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener)
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 11 A COLORFUL INTERSECTION: A waterfall of forsythia and pink fl owering plum greet Saugonians at the corner of Chestnut and Winter Streets. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) old elm on Main Street is beginning to leaf out — you can still see the fan-shaped framework of the branches, but the green leaves are getting a little bigger and more noticeable every day. Cherries and plums continue to fl ower in many places around town, and several types of magnolia are also in bloom. This has so far been a great year for magnolia — some springs the fl owers begin to open only to be struck by freezing weather that destroys the blossoms before they can reach their peak of beauty. This year, the cool but not freezing temperatures have favored the fl owers and permitted them to bloom for a few weeks without damage from storms or cold. One particularly striking pair of pale yellow magnolias bloom on Main Street at the Roby school, just a few steps from Saugus Center. Red maples (Acer rubrum) are somewhat past fl owering, as most were at peak bloom in March and early April. Now the winged seeds are developing that will be distributed on the wind to grow new trees. Some trees have samaras that are green while others of the same species are bright red. These diff erences can be observed in wild trees as well as cultivated specimens. In addition to the show of fl owering trees, several shrubs, including the bright yellow forsythia (Forsythia intermedia) and P.J.M. Rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘P.J.M.’), are at peak bloom now. These shrubs can be found in every neighborhood. Daff odils continue to bloom and are being joined by tulips in many colors and by blue grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.). An especially stunning tulip display can be seen at Kelly’s Roast Beef — visible from the Route 1 side and much enjoyed by anyone going through the drive-thru window. Like the famous Keukenhof gardens near Amsterdam in the Netherlands — world-famous for its tulip displays — Kelly’s garden has colorful beds fi lled with patches of tulips in diff erent colors arranged like a crazy quilt. Many birds are nesting locally and their songs enliven our woods and gardens. I have seen some gathering twigs and bringing them back to build their nests in the trees, and one was trying to decide how to fi t a wide twig through the round doorway in my neighbor’s birdhouse recently. In North Saugus, the Eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), with its colorful plumage, has been spotted. Charles Zapolski has seen them in his neighborhood. They seem to prefer shrubby habitat, such as dense thickets. Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs, as well as perennials. She is a member of the Saugus Garden Club and off ered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town” shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired after seeing so many people taking up walking. A PRETTY, OVERSIZED SPARROW: This Eastern towhee, with its colorful plumage, has been spotted in North Saugus. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Charles Zapolski) TULIPS ON DISPLAY: Blooms near the drive-thru window at Kelly’s on Route 1. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener)
Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Saugus Little League Hosts Opening Day T-Ball players were escorted by their parents and family members. Players kicked off the parade route from Anna Parker Field. Selectmen Debra Panetta, Anthony Cogliano, Corinne Riley, Jeff Ciccolini and Michael Serino marched in the parade.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 13 with Parade, Festivities Members of the Black Team waved to parade watchers. Saugus Firefi ghter Steven Morando threw out the fi rst pitch on Opening Day Saturday. Players were anxious to play ball. Saugus Little League President Michael Fronduto welcomed players and coaches to the mound on Hurd Avenue. The New York Mets tipped their hats. Players and coaches saluted for the National Anthem. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino)
Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Baseball Sachems lose in extras to Swampscott M By Greg Phipps uch like last season, the Saugus High School baseball team has been involved in some tight games. A recent extra-inning win over Masconomet was indicative of Saugus baseball over the past two seasons. Last Friday’s Northeastern Conference tilt at Swampscott was another example. The Sachems have played down-to-the-wire contests against the Big Blue over the past couple of seasons. Saugus beat Swampscott in a close aff air in last year’s playoff s. Friday’s battle was no different. Swampscott ended up pulling out a 2-1 victory on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the eighth frame. To that point, both teams managed to cross the plate just once. Saugus’s Nathan Ing returned from an injury sustained in a loss at Beverly two days earlier to smack two hits. Saugus’s Matt MacEachern had a hit and an RBI in Wednesday’s loss to Gloucester. Anthony Cicolini also had two hits and Ryan Anderson stroked a base hit for Saugus. Nathan Ing returned from an injury to smack two hits in last Friday’s road loss to Swampscott. Ing was the starting pitcher and hurled fi ve innings, giving up two hits and fanning four. He was relieved by Cam Soroko, who then gave way to Matt MacEachern. Lady Sachems softball team grabs comeback win over Pentucket By Greg Phipps T hrough eight games, the Saugus High School softball team sits at 4-4 on the season. The Sachems were able to reach the.500 mark when they staged a mighty comeback against Pentucket on Monday at home. The Sachems fell behind 6-1 before coming alive to tally eight of the next 10 runs and come away with a dramatic 9-8 win. Starting pitcher Fallon Millerick once again threw a complete game. She struck out six batters and surrendered nine hits in her seven innings of work. Meanwhile, the offense was ignited by Gianna Costa, who drilled two hits and drove in two to lead the way. Single hits were supplied by Ava Rogers (RBI), Bella Natalucci (RBI), and Alexa Morello (2 RBIs). It was a big win for the Sachems, as they were coming off a tough 10-1 home loss to Beverly last Friday. In the Beverly game, Ryann Moloney provided most of the offense by drilling two of Saugus’s three total hits in the contest. Taylor Deleidi had the other hit. The day before, the Saugus’s Ava Rogers had RBIs in recent wins over Somerville and Pentucket. Saugus’s Ryann Moloney drove in a run in a win against Somerville and bashed two hits in a loss to Beverly last week. storyline was much more positive for Saugus, which beat Somerville, 6-1, in a non-league clash. Millerick had perhaps her best pitching effort of the season so far. She gave up just four hits and fanned three in another complete-game performance. The off ensive attack was highlighted by Costa’s three hits and two RBIs, as well as RBIs from Moloney, Felicia Reppucci and Rogers. Millerick also helped her own cause On Wednesday, in a game that was originally scheduled to take place at World Series Park but moved to Gloucester, the Sachems suffered their third consecutive defeat by losing a 6-3 decision to the host Fishermen. The loss dropped Saugus under.500 at 4-5 for the season. Cicolini was the lone Sachem with multiple hits (two), followed by one hit each from Anthony Macone, MacEachern, Ryan Anderson and Braden Faiella, who tripled. Macone, MacEachern and Drew Gardiner drove in the Saugus runs. The Sachems hope to end their losing skid when they host Greater Lawrence Tech in the first-ever night game (scheduled 7 p.m. start) at World Series Park this Friday. Saugus rolled to a 10-0 victory when the two squads faced each other in the season opener at Lawrence. The Sachems are then off until next Wednesday, May 4, when they travel to take on Peabody. Pitcher Fallon Millerick struck out six in her complete-game victory over Pentucket on Monday. with two hits in the win. A scheduled game at Swampscott on Wednesday was postponed due to wet field conditions at Swampscott’s home fi eld. The Sachems travel to face Winthrop, a team they scored 15 runs against in the season opener, this Friday, and follow that up with a game at Melrose on Monday, May 2.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 15 Nature is Calling Sunday is a time to satisfy your curiosity and contribute to science at the Saugus Iron Works (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a recent press release issued by the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site.) T he Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site and the Saugus River Watershed Council invite you to a City Nature Challenge event on Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Saugus Iron Works. Park staff and volunteers will have a resource table to help you explore the park. Activities are suitable for all and include guided walks and identifying fi sh and aquatic insects, and the event will introduce you to iNaturalist. The City Nature Challenge is an international effort to Belted kingfisher (Courtesy photos by Bill Fuchs/National Park Service) document all forms of life (animals, plants, fungi and more) in parks, towns, cities and your backyard that is taking place between April 29 and May 2, 2022. During the City Nature Challenge, you Split gill fungus can document all the species you see. It is as simple as exploring, photographing living things and sharing the photographs to the iNaturalist app (free and available for both Android and iPhone). Tufted globetail (hoverfl y) on dame’s rocket About the National Park Service More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to A red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation present donation to Bread of Life The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation recently presented a fi nancial award to Bread of Life as part of the Foundation’s 25th distribution of funds. Taking part in the award presentation were (from left to right) The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Director Therese Jarmusik; Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, and Bob DiBella, President and Chief Executive Offi cer, The Savings Bank. The Savings Bank Charitable Foundation was established in 1997 through an initial endowment of $550,000 from The Savings Bank. The foundation presented a total of $65,975 to 18 nonprofi t organizations during the 25th over the past 25 years. distribution of funds, bringing the total donations to more than $823,447
Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Town Meeting is where it’s at It’s just a couple of days until the Annual Town Meeting convenes (Monday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m.). This will be the seventh one I’ve covered for The Saugus Advocate. But I’ve covered dozens of them in many communities in a newspaper reporting career that spans close to 50 years. Back in 1975, as a cub reporter for the Portland Press Herald, I got to cover Town Meetings during the month of March in 11 small towns in the Sebago Lake area of Maine — towns like Bridgeton, Fryeburg, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Naples, Paris and China. Each community had its own character. The towns that held their meeting on Saturdays usually split up the morning and afternoon sessions with a potluck lunch. Women brought their knitting gear with them as they listened intently to the proceedings. I remember 90-yearold sisters in the tiny town of Sweden leading the charge in a stand against Central Maine Power, which threatened a trout brook with a transmission line it planned to run through the area. Small, but feisty and determined to protect their town, the sisters and the town of a couple of hundred people weren’t intimidated by the utility company. Then there were several communities out in the hinterland — far from Portland, the seat of Cumberland Country — who voted to “go to jail” rather than pay one dime toward the Cumberland County Civic Center that would be located too far away to benefi t them. During my three years on Nantucket Island, there was always something interesting that came up at the Annual Town Meeting, too. The one common theme that was clear to me through all of these town meetings — Saugus included — was that most of the participating citizens took their civic duty pretty seriously and represented their constituents proudly. While Boards of Selectmen in these communities were the more glamorous and coveted political positions, it always seemed to me that the New England Town Meeting was the bedrock of local government. It’s the local Legislature that performs the most important task of all — passage of the town budget and zoning ordinances. Sure, selectmen meet more often and take a lot more votes on a variety of local matters. But none of them are more signifi cant than passing a town budget. Anyone in town who is thinking about getting involved in local government by running for elective offi ce should observe the Annual Town Meeting and Special Town Meeting (set for Monday night) proceedings — and then if still interested — run in the fall elections next year for one of the fi ve Town Meeting seats in their precinct. Spend some time knocking on doors in the neighborhood, getting views from citizens about their local concerns and needs. And if elected, follow through on those concerns by addressing the town manager and the selectmen. If you lose, use it as experience and run again. Get involved with the Town Meeting members in your precinct by working with them on local issues, hopefully for the betterment of Saugus. Being a part of Town Meeting is a humane and noble pursuit, whether you’re a young, college-aged voter or a civic-minded senior citizen. Calling all Saugus servicemen and women The Town of Saugus, along with the Saugus Veterans Council and the American Legion Post, extends an invitation to all local servicemen and women to join us at the Memorial Day Parade on May 28, 2022. Please contact the Board of Selectmen’s Offi ce at 298 Central St., Saugus, Mass. or email the Board at jjarosz@ saugus-ma.gov for further information. Come march with town offi cials, residents, students and fellow soldiers to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for our freedom. The parade — which is scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m. on Saturday on May 28 (Memorial Day will be celebrated on Monday, May 30, the designated holiday) — will be “historical” this year, according to Saugus Veterans Council Commander Stephen L. Castinetti. Billie June “BJ” Farrell, the 77th Commanding Offi cer of the USS Constitution — the fi rst woman offi cer in charge during the ship’s 224-year history — has accepted an invitation to be the grand marshal of this year’s Annual Memorial Day Parade and keynote speaker for the town’s Memorial Day Ceremony. “This is a once-in-alifetime event that you cannot miss!” said Castinetti, a retired U.S. Navy captain. “It’s historical because Commander Farrell became the fi rst female Commanding Offi cer of this great ship in 224 years. Come out and welcome Commander Farrell to Massa
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 17 chusetts and, more importantly to Saugus!! Meet the new Commanding Officer of the USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, on May 28,” he said. A yard sale to help the Ukraine people tomorrow Dmitry and Lana Sevkovich, the Saugus couple who were featured in our April 8 edition for organizing a collection and shipment of clothing and crucial provisions to Ukraine, are planning more projects to help people who have been forced out of their homes by the Russian invasion. “We plan to schedule a yard sale event dedicated to Ukraine,” said Lana, the Russian-born woman whose husband comes from the Republic of Belarus — a country which has supported the invasion. “We’ll be selling t-shirts, bracelets, candles, etc. with Ukraine symbols. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards covering the shipping costs for our next humanitarian aid that we plan to collect in mid-May,” she said. “Our yard sale will take place on April 30, 1-4 p.m. at our address on our driveway 19 Baker St., Saugus.” So, this weekend, one Cliftondale family will be launching another humanitarian project from their home. Stay tuned. Want to help make a better Library? The Saugus Library Board of Trustees is looking for a new member to join the team! Please send your resume or a letter of interest to the Saugus Board of Selectmen, 298 Central St., Saugus, MA 01906, or you can also email jjarosz@ saugus-ma.gov. Please submit your letter at your earliest convenience. Interested in town zoning matters? The Saugus Board of Selectmen is accepting applications for appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Saugus, This is a volunteer/nonpaid position for Saugus residents. Those interested may submit letter of interest/resume no later than May 13 to: Saugus Board of Selectmen Saugus Town Hall 298 Central St., Suite 4 Saugus, MA 01906 Compost site now open The community’s compost site will be open to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. Stickers are required to gain seasonal access to the site. Stickers may be purchased for $25.00 at the Department of Public Works (DPW) located at the Compost Site when making your visit to the Compost Site. The Town accepts checks only for payment of the $25.00. No cash will be accepted. Kindly bring a check when visiting. Thank you! Compost site stickers must be permanently placed on the lower left corner of residents’ automobile windshields. Vehicles registered out of state are not permitted. Yard waste must be disposed of in brown compost bags or open containers. The Town will accept grass clippings, leaves and brush. As in years past, no branches or limbs larger than three inches in diameter are permitted. We ask all residents to please wear a mask and maintain and respect social distancing from others while visiting the site. Residents may call Lorna Cerbone at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781231-4036 with questions or for more information. We have a winner! Congratulations to Svetlana Rosales for making the right identification in last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched?” Contest. She was one of several readers answering correctly, but she was the only one to have her name picked in a drawing from the green Boston Red Sox cap. Here’s the correct answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “The answer to last week’s sketch is Dimitry and Lana Sevkovich. Lana was born in Russia and Dimitri comes from the Republic of Belarus. Dimitri and Lana’s photo and their story appeared in The Saugus Advocate’s April 8 issue (Their picture was taken by Corinne Riley.) They are featured in an article by Editor Mark E. Vogler on page 4 which was titled, ‘Helping the People of Ukraine.’ “It was a challenge to sketch the exuding love and compassion that freely fl ows forth from Dimitri and Lana! They have a continual willingness to show Ukraine people support with action. “Dimitri and Lana set out to help the people of Ukraine, using whatever they had at their hands with their daughter close behind. “The seed falls close to these great oaks, as their 4 1/2 year old daughter desired to give away her princess dresses to Ukraine children, which she will do in another time. A time when Ukraine is celebrating their Victory and freedom. “Upon sketching, a few words from a song came to mind that spoke to who they are and their deeds; words from musician Don Francisco‘s song ‘One Heart at a Time’ … In this instance, the lyrics were Dimitri and Lana’s life and actions ‘It all begins with you and me. One heart at a time, one life to another, one heart at a time brother to brother’ Don Francisco. That’s Dimitri and Lana taking leadership and showing us it all begins with us helping (‘one heart at a time‘) giving to those (‘one life to another’) and passing it through (‘brother to brother’) to get it packaged and shipped to Ukraine. (‘It all begins with you and me’) “With the Mission they took upon themselves to start, Dimitri and Lana sent 31 boxes to Ukraine! Commendable action! Dimitri and Lana have been organizing clothing/toys, products and provisions to go to war-infested Chernovtsy, Ukraine. Their efforts are helping our Ukraine neighbors who suddenly were stripped of human rights, struck with fear and moved like cattle with no watering holes in sight. “Dimitri and Lana are having another fundraiser to be that light that shines and balm that soothes. Hats off to Dimitri and Lana for their open hearts in leading to help those in need and getting the job done with fruition! “Lana and Dimitri’s YARDSALE: Tomorrow (Saturday, April 30th), 1 to 4 p.m., 19 Baker St., Saugus: 100 percent of sales will go toward shipping costs for their next Ukraine Aid project they planned for May! “(They are selling various items, t- shirts, bracelets, and candles with the Ukraine symbol.). Keep an ear tuned to The Saugus Advocate “SOUNDS” for time of event. Thankyou “Yours Truly, The Sketch Artist” A course in “Critical Thinking for Saugus Seniors” The Saugus Senior Center is pleased to announce a new program off ering, “Critical Thinking for Saugus Seniors,” which is scheduled to begin next month. It is well established that engagement in thought and discussion helps promote and maintain good cognitive health. Modern brain research helps prove that engaging in critical thinking skills that include synthesis, analysis, evaluation, and judgment can stimulate the brain in a positive way. These GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! If you know the right answer, you might win the contest. In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who was sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who between now and Tuesday at noon identifi es the Saugonian sketched in this week’s paper qualifi es to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certifi cate, compliments of Dunkin’ in the Food Court at the Saugus Square One Mall. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identifi cation in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) cognitive skills will be applied to historical events, literary works and civic dialogue. The fi rst program event will take place on May 18 at 9:30 a.m. It will consist of a showing of the two-hour historical fi lm “Triumph of the Will,” which was produced by Leni Riefenstahl, who was commissioned by Adolf Hitler. After viewing the fi lm, participants will break into teams of four to defend a position, assigned at random, that the fi lm is either propaganda or documentary. Each team will then report their reasoning with supporting evidence to the larger group. Further discussion will take place about contemporary media and the impact of how individuals or events are portrayed. This program will be presented by retired educator Peter Manoogian, who has previously led teams of educators in similar activities at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s “Writing, Reading and Civic Education” summer program. “Critical Thinking for Saugus Seniors” will be limited to 12 participants per event. But, if there is enough interest among senior citizens, one or more additional classes could be scheduled. To register for the class (admission will be granted to the fi rst 12 seniors to apply), please call 781-231-4178 or drop by the Senior Center at 466 Central St., Saugus. “Shout-Outs” to the citizen volunteers We received no nominations this week from readers who wanted to nominate fellow Saugonians for “ShoutOuts.” So, with the 50-member Annual Town Meeting set to convene on Monday (May 2) SKETCH OF THE WEEK THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 18 —Contest—
Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 17 in the second fl oor auditorium of Saugus Town Hall, let’s direct some praise and appreciation to all of the civic-minded Saugonians who serve in the legislative branch of town government. They will spend most of the Mondays over the next two months deliberating over important zoning and fi scal matters that aff ect all town residents — the most important item being the passage of the proposed budget for 2023 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. Hats off to each of the Town Meeting members — fi ve in each of Saugus’s 10 precincts — who were selected by the voters last fall. Also, the town’s volunteer Finance Committee, led by longtime Chair Kenneth DePatto, are deserving of some loud “Shout-Outs,” too, for their painstaking review of Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s proposed budget. They will continue to meet through the duration of the Town Meeting season until a new town budget has been adopted by Town Meeting members. The committee has voted on recommendations for all articles with fiscal implications that are expected to come before the Town Meeting on its opening night. FinCom members will continue offering their recommendations on each of the articles that make up the town budget. So, hats off to the Finance Committee and Town Meeting members for the important work they do for the community as citizen volunteers. 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. Comedy at The Kowloon The Kowloon Restaurant (Route 1 North in Saugus) continues its April comedy lineup with a colorful roster of funny men. For tickets and to reserve a table or for more info, call 781-233-0077. Here we go: April 29 (tonight): David Russo; hailed as the high-energy act that never fails to leave audiences doubled over in laughter, Russo has yet to meet a crowd that he can’t win over with his charm and upbeat attitude. His quick wit and clever improvisation skills keep audiences on their toes. His artful storytelling — combined with his fl air for theatrics and killer Robert DeNiro impression — has entertained audiences around the country. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $20. Become a part of the Community Garden The Rev. John Beach of St. John’s Episcopal Church continues to search for a few good men, women and children who would like to join a noble cause: the second year of the church-sponsored community garden. “We are inviting all interested persons to join us in producing vegetables for those who are suff ering from food insecurity in Saugus,” Rev. Beach wrote in a recent letter to the community. Rev. Beach is looking for a variety of help as the garden approaches planting time for its second year: If you are able to grow a few seedlings in your home, we would like to bring the seeds, soil, pots, and instructions in the next few weeks. We would like to invite any who are available to help for an hour to help us prepare the garden on Friday, May 13th and/or Saturday May 14th between 9 a.m. and noon. Assist in the planting of crops on Friday May 27th and/ or Saturday May 28th sometime between 9 and noon. We will be having a brief service of the blessing of the ground on the Friday. Assist for an hour a week in the tending of the crops (weeding and watering) over the course of the summer. Assist in the harvesting of the crops in September and delivering them to the Saugus Food Pantry “If you are able to assist, or if you are interested in contributing to the garden, please let me know. I am looking forward to working with you,” Rev. Beach said. He can be reached by phone (774-9619881) or email (revjbeach@ gmail.com). Saugus Kindergarten Registration underway Kindergarten registration for students entering the Saugus Public Schools in the fall of 2022 opened this week. Registration packets may be picked up at the Main Offi ce of the Veterans Early Learning Center (VELC) at 39 Hurd Ave. in Saugus Monday through Friday during school hours. The packet will also be available on the Saugus Public Schools’ website, https://www.saugus. k12.ma.us/. Completed forms and required documentation may be returned to the VELC Main Offi ce starting Monday, May 16. Packet drop-off hours will be Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; kindergarten screening appointments will be scheduled at this time. Screenings will take place on Wednesday, June 8 and Thursday, June 9 and will last about 20 minutes. There is no deadline for registration; however, the district asks families to return the forms by May 20 in order to schedule screenings, and plan for staffi ng and programming in the fall. Saugus moved to a free, allday kindergarten model for the 2021-22 school year to better prepare students academically, socially and emotionally. A half-day option is not available. “Free, all-day kindergarten levels the playing field and gives Saugus children all of the building blocks they need from day one,” said School Committee Member Ryan Fisher. Students must be fi ve years old by Aug. 31, 2022, in order to enter kindergarten in the fall of 2022; there are no exceptions. For more information, please contact the Veterans Early Learning Center at 781-231-8166. Curbside leaf collection next month The Town of Saugus recently announced that spring curbside leaf collection will take place during the week of May 9, 2022. Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day, between Monday, May 9, and Friday, May 13. Leaves should be left outside 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 (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 diff erent time of day. “Missed pick-ups” will not be conducted. Please contact Lorna Cerbone at 781-231-4036 with any questions. THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 19 BENEFIT OF TRANSFERRING HOME TO IRREVOCABLE TRUST Another benefi t of transO ne of the benefits of transferring your home to an irrevocable trust is that you start the fi ve year look back period if one of the goals is to protect your home against a possible nursing home stay. If structured as a grantor-type trust, the Trust would be able to sell the home and you would still be able to take advantage of the $500,000 capital gain exclusion on the sale of a principal residence for a married couple ($250,000 for a single person). If the home is sold, the sales proceeds would have to remain in Trust and invested by the Trustee, whether in a certificate of deposit, savings account, stock or bond portfolio, etc. The sale of the home does not start the five year look back period all over again. The Trustee may also reinvest the sales proceeds in another principal residence. The net sales proceeds of the home must be used to purchase the replacement home. If the purchase price of the replacement property is much less than the sales proceeds of the home that is sold, the diff erence would remain in the Trust to be invested accordingly. Typically, the Settlor of the Trust would have the right to receive income generated by the Trust. This income could serve to supplement the Settlor’s living expenses. The income would be distributed to the Settlor and taxed on his or her income tax return. If the Settlor were to go into a nursing home after the expiration of the fi ve year look back period, the Trust principal would be protected. Any net income derived by the Trust would be paid to the nursing home as part of the Patient Paid Amount (PPA), along with social security income, pension income, etc. ferring your home to an irrevocable trust as opposed to directly transferring your home to your children with a reserved life estate, is that the Trust will protect your children in the event of a divorce or civil litigation case against them. If you prefer, you can include a provision in the Trust that one child will serve as Trustee of your other child’s Trust share (and vice versa) or you can include a provision for the appointment of a disinterested Trustee. If a son or a daughter were to predecease you, his or her share would remain in Trust for his or her own children to be administered pursuant to the terms of the Trust. That child’s share would not constitute part of his or her probate estate which involve signifi cant time delays and cost. Furthermore, if your child died prior to you while receiving MassHealth benefits after the age of 55, MassHealth would not be able to pursue repayment from the Trust share belonging to your deceased child. MassHealth can only collect against the probate estate. This is another reason why a Trust is far superior than a deed to a child with a reserved life estate. With so many people living well into their 80’s and 90’s, it is not uncommon for a child to die before his or her parents. If that were to happen, the child’s estate would have to be probated as the “remainder” interest in the home was owned by the child at the time of his or her death. As part of the probate process, MassHealth is required to be notified of the probate proceedings. It is at this time that MassHealth will determine if benefits have been paid to the deceased. If so, MassHealth will file a claim in probate court in order to seek repayment. Placing the home in an irrevocable Trust would avoid these complications. MassHealth would not be able to lien the home as the home was not given directly to the deceased son or daughter. It was deeded to the irrevocable Trust instead.
1. Duke Ellington 2. A spit 3. Henry David Thoreau 4. “The Pesky Pole” (named after shortstop Johnny Pesky) 5. Louisa May Alcott 6. Mayfl ower (trailing arbutus) 7. Nathaniel Hawthorne 8. An automated device (or person) for that arranges bowling pins and returns balls 9. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” 10. California 11. Oscar the Grouch 12. Lou Grant 13. The fi rst 14. Clark Kent (Superman) 15. “Citizen Kane” 16. San Francisco Bay 17. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 18. Wikipedia (wiki) 19. Spice and ham 20. The 1862 Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican war THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 19 THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 18 Buy a brick to honor a Saugus veteran The Saugus War Monument Committee once again is sponsoring the Buy A Brick Program to honor all those who have served their country. If you would like to purchase one in the name of someone who is presently serving or has served, in the memory of a loved one, or just for someone from your family, school, etc., the general pricing is $100 for a 4? X 8? brick (three lines) and $200 for 8? X 8? brick (fi ve lines). Each line is a maximum of 15 characters. The improvement and upkeep of the monument on the corner of Winter and Central Streets rely on the generosity of donors through fundraising. The brick application must be in by Sept. 15 to ensure the bricks will be ready for Veterans Day. Please contact Corinne Riley at 781-231-7995 for more information and applications. SHS Class of ’62 plans 60th reunion Leaders of The Saugus High School Class of 1962 would like you to “SAVE THE DATE.” Their 60th Class Reunion will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Prince Pizzeria in Saugus. They are reaching out to contact fellow classmates as well as other alumni who would like to join them. The well-known 50’s and 60’s music group of Howie Conley will be there for musical enjoyment. Those of you who have heard them know what a performance they put on. There will be pizza and salad combinations plus soft drinks. The price includes all you can eat, tax and gratuities — plus Howie Conley’s group — and is $29 per person. There is a bar available for wine, beer and mixed drinks. There is no need to purchase tickets at this time. Please let one of the following people know of your interest either THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 21 Savvy Seniory Senior BY JIM MILLER How to Find Educational Trips for Retirees Who Love to Learn Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I planning to travel much more frequently in retirement and are very interested in educational trips and adventures. Can you recommend any groups or firms that specialize in this type of travel geared towards retirees? Love to Learn Dear Love, Educational travel, which combines travel with in-depth learning opportunities has become a very popular way of travel among retirees. Here are a few good places to turn to fi nd these types of trips in the U.S. and abroad. Tour Organizations One of the best places to start is with Road Scholar (RoadScholar.org), which invented the idea of educational travel for older adults in the mid-1970s. The Boston-based organization off ers 5,500 learning adventures in all 50 states and 150 countries. You can search for learning adventures by location, interest, activity level and price. Road Scholar also off ers “Choose Your Pace” senior travel tours that allow participants to adjust their level of challenge on a daily basis. And for skip-gen vacations, they off er tours designed specifically for grandparents traveling with their grandkids. Another excellent option is Smithsonian Journeys (SmithsonianJourneys.org), a nonprofit travel group affiliated 10. The world’s oldest identified plant is a Great Basin bristlecone pine in what U.S. state? 11. What puppet lives in a trash can? 1. On April 29, 1899, what bandleader was born whose theme song became “Take the “A” Train”? 2. What must an appliance have to be considered a rotisserie? 3. On April 30, 1844, what young man accidently set fi re to the Concord Woods? 4. What is the nickname of the right field foul pole in Fenway Park? 5. May 1 is May Day; in the 1800s who wrote a children’s book called “Jack and Jill: A Village Story” with a chapter called “May Baskets”? 6. What is the state fl ower of Massachusetts? 7. What Salem, Mass., native wrote the short story “The May-Pole of Merry Mount ,” which was published in “Twice-Told Tales” in 1837? 8. What is a pinsetter? 9. On May 2, 2005, what play about spelling opened on Broadway? 12. What fi ctional character is a news director on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and, in a spinoff of that show, a city editor of the fi ctional Los Angeles Tribune? 13. May 3 is World Press Freedom Day; what constitutional amendment protects freedom of the press? 14. What fi ctional character resides in Metropolis and is a journalist for the Daily Planet? 15. What 1941 film is with the Smithsonian Museum. They lead 350 educational trips a year on every continent that are led by experts from a variety of fi elds — academia, the diplomatic corps, scientists and curators, among others. If you’re seeking more adventure, you may want to consider ElderTreks (www.ElderTreks.com), which offers 50plus travelers small-group adventures by both land and sea in more than 100 countries. Their trips center on adventure, culture and nature, letting you get up close and personal with the locals. Academic Travel Another good source for educational trips is colleges and universities. Some of my favorites include Cornell University’s Adult University (SCE.Cornell.edu/travel), which offers a half-dozen educational trips and courses in the U.S. and abroad, each lasting a few days to a week or more. And Stanford Travel/Study (Alumni.Stanford.edu) that off ers educational travel journeys to more than 80 countries each year. Most college/university trips are led by faculty who share their expertise, along with regional experts and local guides, and you don’t need to be an alumnus to participate. Also check out the Traveling Professor (TravelingProfessor. com), a small-group touring company led by Steve Solosky, formerly a professor at the about the life of fi ctional newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane? 16. What bay is the song “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” about? 17. On May 4, 1780, what state founded the American Academy of Arts and Sciences? 18. What online encyclopedia’s name includes a Hawaiian word for quick? 19. What two words were used to create name of the meat product spam? 20. May 5 is Cinco de Mayo; what event does the holiday commemorate? State University of New York. They off er a dozen or so tours abroad each year and take between 8 and 16 people. Cruising Options If you enjoy cruising, consider Grand Circle Travel (GCT.com), which off ers educational travel aboard small ships, and Naturalist Journeys (NaturalistJourneys.com), which specializes in nature and birding tours. American Cruise Lines (AmericanCruiseLines.com) also off ers more than 35 river and coastal itineraries in the Northeast, Southeast, Pacific Northwest and along the Mississippi River. And it has themed cruises (Lewis and Clark, Mark Twain, Civil War, etc.) for people with specifi c historical, literary or other interests. Viking River Cruises (VikingRiverCruises.com), which is geared to older travelers, focuses on European art, history and culture. Each cruise makes one to two port stops a day as the ship winds its way up or down Europe’s most famous rivers like the Rhine, Seine, Danube and Douro. A free sightseeing tour is included at all stops, and special-interest excursions are available for additional fees. Viking off ers tours in the United States too. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ANSWERS
Page 20 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList— the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give Part-time Job Openings: Victim Advocates Licensed Social Workers Attorneys you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: www.massterlist. com/subscribe THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from a recent session. The three Senate roll calls are on proposed amendments to an energy bill, approved by the Senate, which would expand the clean energy industry and reduce emissions from the transportation and building sectors across the state with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. Portal To Hope (“PTH”) serves people whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence. If you would like to join PTH’s award-winning team and share your leadership in the cause to end domestic violence, please call (781) 338-7678 for more information. REPUBLICAN ALTERNATIVE TO ENERGY BILL (S 2819) Senate 3-36, rejected a Republican version of the energy bill that would replace the Democratic version. The GOP version would create a central Decarbonization and Energy Independence Fund that would be funded by $250 million from state funding and another $250 million from the state’s portion of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Supporters of the GOP bill said the Independence Fund would be used to modernize the state’s electric grid, provide more rebates for the purchase of electric vehicles and charging stations, provide grants to regional transit authorities and local school districts for the purchase of zero-emission busses and other vehicles and facilitate tax credits for the transition of commercial vehicles and equipment to lower emission substitutes. “We take the challenges of reducing carbon emissions and supplying the state’s energy needs seriously,” said Senate Republican Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “And we are putting a plan on the table to eff ectively use state and federal funding to meet the most pressing needs involved in addressing those challenges, while working to ensure that consumers have access to the energy that they need without undue risk of the rate shock that can accompany ambitious goals without the energy supplies and infrastructure to meet them. Our plan directs attention and spending to the places they need to go today to make cost-eff ective diff erences for tomorrow.” Opponents of the GOP bill said it is a truncated version of the Democrat’s progressive bill and leaves out many good parts of the Democratic version including a provision that would remove biomass from the definition of clean energy sources. They said that large wood-burning electric power plants should not be counted as clean energy like wind and solar because biomass burned at that level creates tiny particles that get into people’s lungs. Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington) got a plug in for Attorney General Maura Healey and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston), the two women who are running for the Democratic nomination for governor, when he said that another diff erence in the two versions is that the Democratic one gives the next governor, “whoever she may be,” an opportunity to shape policy. (A “Yes” vote is for the Republican version. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Brendan Crighton No OFF-SHORE WIND (S 2819) Senate 5-34, rejected a new amendment that would require the solicitation and procurement of a statewide off shore wind capacity total of 10,600 megawatts by 2030. Another provision would establish an ocean ecosystem protection practices designed to avoid, minimize and mitigate impact to wildlife, natural resources, ecosystems and traditional or existing water-dependent uses. Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) said he sponsored the new amendment because off shore wind is a critical component of the state’s clean energy future that must be incorporated as quickly as possible in order to ensure compliance with the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act requirements. He noted that the new amendment would require the procurement of 10,600 megawatts by 2030 instead of 10,000 megawatts by 2035 that was required in an earlier amendment. “While the Senate acted favorably on [the earlier] amendment, which I also supported as a co-sponsor, [this new] amendment that would have required the procurement of an additional 600 megawatts by 2030 instead of by 2035— that is, five years sooner,” said Pacheco. “Although I am pleased that the Senate took favorable action to include additional offshore wind capacity, ultimately we must act with more urgency to seize the economic benefits of a robust statewide offshore wind workforce and achieve compliance with our updated emission reduction laws.” “I am a fierce proponent of off shore wind, and I’m proud that the Senate adopted [the original] amendment which I filed to bolster offshore wind procurement,” said Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro) who voted against the new amendment. “The [original] amendment increases the commonwealth’s target to at least 10,000 megawatts of off shore wind generation capacity by 2035— which will account for a third of the nation’s offshore wind goal. The [new] amendment was redundant, considering the Senate already took action to advance the [original] amendment—hence why I voted no.” (A “Yes” vote is for the new amendment. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Brendan Crighton No COMMERCIAL FISHING (S 2819) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would provide a preference for offshore wind proposals that can clearly demonstrate meaningful collaboration with commercial fishing in order to foster the long-term coexistence and sustainability of the two industries. “As the offshore wind industry continues to develop, we must take steps to protect our existing commercial fishing fleet that produces an enormous impact on our ports and the Massachusetts economy,” said sponsor Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “By emphasizing the importance of commercial fishing during the development and consideration of offshore wind proposals, we can help ensure that a robust fishMon. April 18 No House session o Senate session Tues. April 19 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:29 a.m. Senate 11:10 a.m. to 11:33 a.m. Wed. April 20 No House session No Senate session Thurs. April 21 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Senate 11:05 a.m. to 11:24 a.m. Fri. April 22 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. ing fleet can coexist with a new renewable energy industry that can increase energy independence and reduce carbon emissions.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment). Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of April 18-22, the House met for a total of 57 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 42 minutes.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 21 THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 19 by a phone call or a text message so that you can be easily reached when the time draws near. No commitment is necessary. They are just exploring the number of interested classmates. Donna “Cann” Olivera — 781-987-4308 Jonni “Giantonio” Matrona — 781-439-4200 Janice “Cristiano” Pomeroy — 617-512-2097 Larry Seavers — 704-9062606 A Rabies Vaccination Clinic in May Town Clerk Ellen Schena wants cat and dog owners to know about an upcoming rabies vaccination clinic that is set for Wednesday, May 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. This is for cats and dogs only. This will take place at the Animal Shelter at the rear of the DPW Building (515 Rear Main St. in Saugus). The vaccination costs $10 and can be paid by cash or check only. State law requires all dog owners to license their dogs Food pantry seeking driver volunteers The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry seeks volunteers to make food and bread pickups on Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Anyone who has the time and interest to help out should contact Jeff Hirtle at 781-922-0661. The food pantry operates out of the basement at Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Friday morning Legion Hall breakfasts Here’s some great news for people who enjoy their Friday morning breakfasts at the Saugus American Legion Cpl Scott J. Procopio Post 210. Legion Hall, which is located at 44 Taylor St., resumed its Friday breakfasts and will continue through the last Friday in May of 2022. The buff et breakfast is served at 8:00 a.m. for a donation of $7. Bon app?tit! And good luck to the Kitchen Crew. Looking for book donations The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are asking for donations of gently used adult hardcover and softcover fi ction for the ongoing book sale in the Community Room. They would also appreciate donations of gently used children’s books. Please limit donations at this time to only fi ction and children’s books; they do not have storage space for other genres or media. Please... clean and newer books only. No tattered pages, bad odors, stains or dirty covers! Books may be dropped off at the Main Circulation Desk during business hours. Please do not place donations in the outdoor book drops. Want to be a Knight? The Knights of Columbus is looking for new members to join. If you are interested in becoming a member of this local organization, please call 781233-9858. Healthy StudentsHealthy Saugus (Editor’s Note: The following info is from an announcement submitted by Julie Cicolini, a member of the Board of Directors for Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus.) Who we are: Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) is a nonprofi t group of volunteers who are helping to off - set food insecurity in households. HS2 provides students/ families who enroll in the program a supply of nutritious food for when school lunches and breakfasts are unavailable to them on weekends. How HS2 can help you: HS2 bags are distributed at school on Fridays to take home. Bags include such items as peanut butter, jelly, a loaf of bread, canned meals/soups/tuna/ vegetables, pasta/sauce, fruit cups, cereal, oatmeal, goldfi sh, pretzels and granola bars. To sign up go here to complete online form: https://forms.gle/ gmMGguycSHBdziuE9. Want to partner with us: HS2 relies on donations to create take-home bags for a weekend full of meals. All food is provided to children free of charge. It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior and achievement of every student who participates. We would love to partner with organizations, youth groups, PTOs, businesses and individuals to assist in feeding students of Saugus. To learn more about how you can partner with us, visit the Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Facebook page or email us at HS2Saugus@gmail. com. Checks can also be sent directly to: Salem Five c/o Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus, 855-5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906. Online donations can also be made at https://givebutter.com/HealthySaugus. Food Pantry still open The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry continues to remain open on Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. despite concerns over the Coronavirus. They have made adjustments to protect their core of volunteers and the needy people who receive the food. For the protection of volunteers & clients, and to limit personal contact and crowding/gathering, the food pantry has been distributing pre-bagged groceries. Even though clients may receive items they don’t want or need, food pantry organizers feel this is the best course of action to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. Those in need, even for short-term or one-time assistance, are encouraged to come. The food pantry is located in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Attention Veterans and Surviving Spouses Q: What is Chapter 115? A: Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. Ch. 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of fi nancial and medical assistance for veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary fi nancial assistance in accordance with a formula that considers the number of dependents and income from all sources. Q:How do I fi nd out if I’m eligible? A: By contacting the Veterans’ Service Offi cer in the town you live in. Here in Saugus, the Veterans’ Services Offi ce is located at the Saugus Town Hall and may be reached at 781231-4010. Eligible veterans and/or their family members must meet certain income criteria, and their military experience must meet the Commonwealth’s requirements. The Current Income Limit for single people is $2,147.00 — and $2,904.00 for married people. The Current Asset Limit for single people is $8400.00 — and $16,600.00 for married people. Assets do not include your home or vehicle. Q: Are these benefits taxable? A: Chapter 115 benefi ts are not taxable income. You must report this income when applying for or renewing subsidized housing applications, Section 8 applications and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applications. Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been six years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net. Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15to 20-minute interview over a hot drink at a local coff ee shop. And I’ll buy the coff ee or tea. Or, if you prefer to continue practicing social distancing and be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation recovers from the Coronavirus crisis. If it’s a nice day and the temperature is 50 degrees or better, my preferred site for a coffee and interview would be the picnic area of the Saugus Iron Works. THIS WEEK ON SAUGUS TV Sunday, May 1 from 9—11 p.m. on Channel 8 — “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, May 2 all day on Channel 8 — “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, May 3 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 — Board of Appeals Meeting from April 28. Wednesday, May 4 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 — Finance Committee Meeting from April 27. Thursday, May 5 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 — School Committee Meeting from April 28. Friday, May 6 at 6 p.m. on Channel 8 — In the Beginning with John Gouvalaris. Saturday, May 7 at 12:30 p.m. on Channel 8 — The Seasons 2022, A Garden Tour by Amariah Condon. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9 & 22. For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org. ***programming may be subject to change without notice*** 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 Michel, Melouse BUYER2 SELLER1 Chan, Robert S SELLER2 ADDRESS 24 Juniper Dr CITY DATE PRICE Saugus 01.04.2022 $ 728 000,00
Page 22 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 ~ APT. FOR RENT ~ North Everett - 4 rooms, Hall Rentals Available Excellent rates Call 781-324-9570 Call now! 781 233 4446 VENDING MACHINE MOVER $500.00 Signing Bonus for All New Hires Driver with clean driving record for the greater Boston area to move and service vending equipment. Any Electronics experience is helpful but not necessary. Salary commensurate with job experience. Our company was established in 1961. We offer competitive wages, a 401k and profit-sharing plan, health & dental benefits, paid holidays and paid vacations and many other benefits. Full time, plus OT available. Random drug testing and background checks are performed. Must be able to speak English fluently. Apply in person Monday thru Friday, 9am to 4pm @ 83 Broadway, Malden, MA – Or send your resume to jmagee@actionjacksonusa.com. No phone calls please. 855-GO-4-GLAS We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! CLASSIFIEDS
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 23 Follow Us On: COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES & RENTALS Happy Spring! A great time to think of selling or buying! Call today for a free market analysis. Sandy Juliano Broker/President WE KNOW EVERETT!! Call TODAY to sell or buy with the best! NEW LISTING UNDER AGREEMENT THREE FAMILY UNDER AGREEMENT TWO FAMILY 46-48 OLIVER STREET EVERETT CALL SANDY FOR DETAILS! 129 CLARENCE ST., EVERETT $779,900 CALL SANDY FOR DETAILS! 617-448-0854 SOLD BY NORMA AS BUYER’S AGENT TAUNTON FOR RENT THREE BEDROOM $2,200/MONTH CALL NORMA FOR DETAILS 617-590-9143 SOLD BY SANDY! HUGE 3 FAMILY 21-23 CLEVELAND AVE., EVERETT $980,000 ONE BEDROOM APT. ONE CAR SOLD BY SANDY! 32 RIDGE RD., READING $675,000 OFF STREET PARKING. $1,750/MO. SOLD BY JOE! 6 FAMILY CHARLES STREET, MALDEN $1,250,000 CALL JOE FOR DETAILS 617-680-7610 SOLD BY NORMA! SINGLE FAMILY 20 BAKER RD., EVERETT $509,900 CONDO UNDER AGREEMENT BY SANDY AS BUYERS AGENT! Joe DiNuzzo Norma Capuano Parziale - Broker Associate O D il F - Agent Open Daily From 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 433 Broadway, Suite B, Everett, MA 02149 www.jrs-properties.com 10 00 A M 5 00 PM Denise Matarazz - Agent Maria Scrima - Agent Follow Us On: 617.448.0854 Rosemarie Ciampi - Agent Michael Matarazzo -Agent Mark Sachetta - Agent
Page 24 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 ............. # 1 “Experience and knowledge Provide the Best Service” Think Real Estate Think Tom Amero View our website from your mobile phone! 335 Central St., Saugus, MA 781-233-7300 SAUGUS - 9 room Garrison Colonial offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1st floor family room, finished lower level offers playroom w/slider to yard, one car garage, updated roof, corner lot, convenient location.............................................................................$669,900. SAUGUS - 7 room, 3 bedroom Garrison Colonial offers 2 full baths, sunroom, kit. w/ center island, finished lower level offers family rm. & second kit. updated roof, easy access to all major routes and shopping.......................................................$489,900. minimal expenses make this a great investment, 1031 tax exchange, etc, centrally located, great foot traffic, close to public transportation.........$3,000,000. SAUGUS - Lynnhurst Area Perfectly Maintained 7 rm., 3 bdrm., 1½ bath Colonial. Custom built kit. cabinets, granite counters. 1st fl. family rm. w/ wood stove. In-ground pool w/ custom built deck with bar area & screen house. Breezeway to WONDERING WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH? CALL US FOR A FREE OPINION OF VALUE. 781-233-1401 38 MAIN STREET38 MAIN STREET, SAUGUS, SAUGUS COMING SOONCOMING SOON FOR SALEFOR SALE LET US SHOW YOU OUR MARKETING PLAN TO GET YOU TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR HOME! LITTLEFIELDRE.COM 624 SALEM STREET UNDER CONTRACTUNDER CONTRACT 624 SALEM STREET, L, LYNNFIELD NNFIELD UNDER CONTRACTUNDER CONTRACT COMING SOON - UNIQUE 2 FAMILY WITH GREAT 3-4 BED OWNER’S UNIT W/ SMALLER RENTAL UNIT, PLENTY OF PARKING. REVERE CALL DEB-BIE 617-678-9710 FOR SALEFOR SALE FOR SALE - 2 BED 2 BATH FIRST FLOOR GARDEN STYLE WITH LAUNDRY IN UNIT $429,900 MEDFORD CALL RHONDA 781-706-0842 FOR SALEFOR SALE FOR SALE - 3 BED 2.5 BATH UPDATED STAND ALONE TOWNHOME AT THE GREENS W/ 1ST FL PRIMARY SUITE $875,900 NORTH READING CALL PENNY 781-929-7237 FOR RENTFOR RENT FOR SALE - REHABBED 3 BED, 2 BATH COLONIAL SITTING ON AN OVERSIZED 17K LOT. SAUGUS $675,000 CALL KEITH 781-389-0791 UNDER CONTRACTUNDER CONTRACT FOR SALE - 4 FAMILY INVESTMENT PROPERTY NEAR DOWNTOWN ALL SEPARATE ENTRANCES WITH GREAT RENTAL HISTORY $1,250,000 PEABODY CALL RHONDA 781-706-0842 LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL? CALL RHONDA COMBE FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS! 781-706-0842 FOR SALE - 2 BED, 1 BATH WITH ADDITION IN DESIRABLE PARK. PEABODY $89,900 CALL ERIC 781-223-0289 FOR SALE -3 BED, 1 BATH WITH MANY UPDATES IN DESIRABLE PARK. PEABODY $179,900 CALL ERIC 781-223-0289 FOR SALE - BRAND NEW MANUFACTURED MOBILE HOMES. FOUR CUSTOM UNITS LEFT. ALL UNITS ARE 2 BED, 1 BATH 12 X 52. DANVERS $199,900 CALL ERIC 781-223-0289 FOR SALE - 5 ROOM END UNIT TOWNHOUSE 2 BEDROOM, 2 FULL BATH $409,900 LYNN CALL RHONDA 781-706-0842 FOR SALEFOR SALE FOR RENT - 1 BED WITH EAT-IN KITCHEN & LAUNDRY IN UNIT ON STREET PERMIT PARKING. EVERETT $1700 CALL RHONDA 781-706-0842 FOR SALEFOR SALE FOR SALE - 3 BED 2 BATH HANDYMAN SPECIAL WITH GREAT POTENTIAL CASH OR REHAB LOANS ONLY $309,900 LYNN CALL RHONDA 781-706-0842 FOR SALEFOR SALE
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