THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 1, 2026 Page 7 Birthdays are special at the Senior Center (Editor’s Note: Saugus Senior Center Director Laurie Davis submitted the following article.) T he Saugus Senior Center celebrated its monthly birthday celebration on Friday, April 24, with 21 celebrants! This special event was generously sponsored by Pauline and Jay Agnew, in honor of Pauline’s sister, Doris Napier’s birthday. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Pauline and Jay for their kindness and generosity. It made the day extra special for everyone to enjoy. The Senior Center likes to recognize a Senior’s birthday on the last Friday of the month with a collective celebration. Each birthday recipient receives a free pizza lunch, cake, ice cream and a souvenir group photo. If anyone would like to sponsor a birthday in honor of someone special, please stop by the office and let us know. COUNTDOWN TILL | FROM PAGE 3 drop thus costing taxpayers more when Saugus borrows both in the short and long term to complete capital projects, should capital projects even continue. All of this will take place as our Saugus Public Schools continue to lag in student achievement, consistently placing in the bottom third of the state. Homebuyers frequently ask why our schools show such poor performance. Nowhere is there a plan to turn that around and only excuses as to why 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. APRIL BIRTHDAYS: The Saugus Senior Center recognized 21 Saugus residents who celebrated their birthdays collectively at the Senior Center last month. Pictured from left to right: Front row: Shirley Bogdan, Sylvia Montgomery, Carolina Cataldo, Mary Ann Picardi, Chris Blanchard, Doris Napier, Roseanne Testa, Lorraine Lewis and Tony Sarno; back row: Patti Milley, Jean Bloom, Steven Riley, Eileen Papagni, Rosita Giliberto, Sam Toste, Luigi Barsotti, John Baginsky, Carol Gilmore, Rosalie Procopio, Carol Levine and Arlene Decareau. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 2 sions from the School Department. And he gets to have input on how they spend their money,” he said. Grabowski and Manoogian each expressed concerns about how the big increase in this year’s school budget could affect the town’s fiscal situation in future years. “I don’t think we will have a problem this year. But, I don’t think it bodes well for the future,” Grabowski said. “The teachers are getting a 5 percent pay raise this year and 5 percent next year. The School Committee has got to realize they can’t give away pay raises without knowing where the money is coming from,” he said. Manoogian noted that taxpayers will have to pay the price for spending more money on public education. “This issue has sucked all the oxygen and the dollars out of the room,” Manoogian said. “How we sustain this is not conceivable. I don’t want to see Saugus go through what we went through 25 years ago,” he said, referring to fiscal problems that led to a reduction in municipal services. Manoogian said Saugus could easily wind up like several neighboring communities that have endured fiscal problems. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping it can’t turn around. Carla Scuzzarella: I think the top priority for our town is maintaining fiscal stability while continuing to fund essential services, especially public education, public safety, and infrastructure. Jenna Nuzzo: As we prepare for the 2026 Town Meeting session, the top priority for the Town of Saugus must be establishing a clear, longterm plan for the town’s financial stability and growth. This past year highlighted how obsolete our budget process has become. We need to shift toward a more proactive approach that priCOUNTDOWN TILL | SEE PAGE 8
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