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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 Page 7 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Town Meeting being overshadowed It’s hard to believe it, but the opening night of Saugus Town Meeting will be playing second or even third fiddle on Monday and the rest of the week – in part because the COVID-19 pandemic has watered down the warrant. But, on the other hand, there are several significant events cracking this week: The main event, of course, is the selection of a new superintendent of Saugus Public Schools to replace the retiring Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr., who is in the final two months of his five-year contract. The School Committee has scheduled a pair of events for Monday night, beginning at 6 p.m. The interviews will probably run 75 minutes apiece and will conflict with the Town Meeting, which is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. – about the same time the second superintendent candidate will be interviewed. The final two interviews will take place on Tuesday night in the same time slots as Monday. The state legislative delegation that represents Saugus is expected to meet on Tuesday with the Board of Selectmen and other town officials in a “roundtable” Zoom format between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. This definitely conflicts with the schedules of people who want to see the final public interviews of the school superintendent candidates. But this an important session because it’s been several years since selectmen and town officials met with state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) and other members of the legislative delegation. “The poor condition of the off ramps on Route One has been on our radar for some time and continues to be a major issue,” selectmen wrote in a joint letter to Rep. Wong last week in anticipation of this get-together. “While driving through our town, hundreds of motorists view trash, old barriers, and stored materials left on the ramps. Once landscaped with greenery and continual upkeep, they are now devoid of any attention or maintenance,” the letter continued. Board of Selectmen Vice-Chair Corinne Riley noted that state Rep. Giannino and state Sen. Creighton are also expected to attend the forum. Joe Vecchione, chair of the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee, said he has a few issues he plans to broach the legislative delegation on, too. One of them might be a request to consider extending the Blue Line or a Commuter Rail into Saugus – an issue that Precinct 1 Town Meeting Member Sue Palomba suggested this week at the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee meeting. “I will be present and intend to speak regarding several of the safety and infrastructural issues in the square. I encourage committee members to attend and speak as this is a great opportunity to do so,” Vecchione said of the Tuesday night meeting, which will precede the selectmen’s meeting set for 7 p.m. Cliftondale forums coming up Speaking of the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee, there are a few upcoming dates that concerned residents might be interested in. May 24th – 6 to 7 p.m. The next meeting for the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee will be a site walk in Cliftondale Square. Let’s plan to meet in the North Shore Bank parking lot. The committee will begin the walk on Jackson Street, through the parking lot to the rear of St. Margaret’s Parish, down Lincoln towards the circle to the MEG building, and then circle back up the street past Banana Splitz, Eastern Bank and Rossetti Insurance. The committee invites business owners to attend and share their views. Mid-June: The committee is organizing a public forum with a date to be determined. Members are hoping to get all the stakeholders, particularly the Planning Department, Cliftondale property owners (landlords) and business owners involved. A “Shout-Out” to the super searchers School Committee Vice-Chair Ryan Fisher submitted this week’s nomination for all the Saugus citizens who helped out in the town’s quest for a new town education czar to replace retiring Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. “A shout out to the superintendent screening committee! Saugus saw four very strong finalists in this week’s public forums, and their selection was made possible by many committed volunteers who worked tirelessly these last few weeks so our kids could have the best education possible,” Fisher wrote in an email to The Saugus Advocate. “Heartfelt thanks to Stephannie Barboza, Steve Black, Julie Cicolini, Scott Crabtree, Michelle Dwyer, Dennis Gould, Sabrina Jaeger, Richard Lavoie, Charlie Naso, William Palmerini, Tracey Rahas already let Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree know he would like to fill one of those two unexpected vacancies on the Planning Board. “Given the recent resignations of Chairman Peter Rossetti and long time Planning Board member Dennis Moschella, you certainly have large voids to fill in this very critical and important town board,” Vecchione wrote in his letter of interest. “I believe my background in the architectural field, interest in the planning and economic development in Saugus and proactiveness as a Town Meeting member in planning and zoning issues would make me an asset to the Planning Board and begin to fill that void left by these recent departures. I am a lifelong Saugus resident, a registered architect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and an active member of the American Institute of Architects.” Vecchione already has plenty of expertise for the Planning Board, having coauthored a Route 1 zoning article passed by fellow Town Meeting members to better balance commercial and residential development on the Route 1 corridor “As a 30 year old resident with an optimistic outlook GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! 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 correctly identifies the Saugonians being sketched between now and Tuesday at noon qualifies 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 certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location on Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification 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”) gucci, Michael Sullivan, Dawn Trainor, and Kelly Wolff.” Each of those people sat on the 15-member Superintendent Search Committee, which Fisher chaired. Fellow School Committee Member Gould was the vice-chair. 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 photo. Chris Riley pushes for compensation study Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Chris Riley is recycling some of his good ideas and is proposing a warrant for an upcoming Special Town Meeting. “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum not to exceed $40,000.00 for the purpose of hiring a consultant to provide a compensation study for town employees, or take any other action relative thereto,” according to a draft of the proposed article authored by Riley. “The purpose of the study shall be to determine the fair and equitable total compensation for town employees based on market conditions. As such, the study shall include, minimally, analysis and recommendations for salaries and employee benefits.” Vecchione eyes Planning Board vacancy Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joe Vecchione on Saugus’ long term potential in regards to our economic development, not just on Route 1, but town wide, it would be an honor to serve on the Planning Board to actively work hands on to make this optimistic outlook a reality, in time,” he wrote Crabtree. Stay tuned. Town looking for a few good volunteers For those town residents who felt snubbed when they weren’t selected to serve on the Superintendent Search Committee, here’s another chance to get involved with town government on a volunteer basis. The Board of Selectmen is accepting applications to serve on the Handicapped Commission/Commission on Disability. This is a volunteer/nonpaying position. Please submit your application to the Board of Selectmen, 298 Central St., Saugus, MA 01906 or email jjarosz@saugus-ma.gov by May 7, 2021. Applications are also being accepted to fill the vacancy on the Saugus Cable TV Board of Directors. This is a volunteer non/paying position. Please send your application to the Saugus Board of Selectmen, 298 Central St., Saugus, MA 01906 or email jjarosz@ Saugus-ma.gov by May 7, 2021. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office is also accepting resumes/applications from Saugus residents for several volunteer positions on the following Boards or Commissions: Board of Health: Members are responsible for protecting and serving the citizens in health areas, such as food sanitation, restaurants, markets, compliance with the state sanitary and other health codes as well as emergency preparedness. Medical degree or physicians preferred. Commission on Disabilities: The responsibilities of these positions are to answer questions and provide referral guidance regarding disability related issues in accordance with the Mass. General Laws. Planning Board: The Board’s responsibilities are to hear, review and vote on the applications proposed to the Town regarding subdivision plans, zoning special permits, rezoning issues and site plan review permits. If you are interested in volunteering and are a resident of the Town of Saugus please send in a letter of interest and resume by Friday, May 14, 2021, to Saugus Town Manager, 298 Central St., Suite 1, Saugus, MA 01906 or email Cmoreschi@saugus-ma.gov. Public hearing on school traffic rescheduled The Public Hearing on the Traffic Rules and Regulations regarding Highland Avenue and John A. W. Peace Drive has been rescheduled for May 11 at 7 p.m. Change for Grab-N-Go meals Saugus Public Schools is providing free meals on Tuesdays and Fridays from the Saugus Middle High THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 8

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