THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022 Page 5 Mrs. Vaudo’s 4th Grade Class at the Belmonte Steam Academy in Saugus. (Advocate photo by Mark Vogler) ballot in which the students raised their hands. “I like to visit Route 1 because I like to go to Prince for pizza,” Oscar Sanchez said as he pointed proudly to his colorful postcard that included the giant orange dinosaur that still exists, but once was the landmark of a miniature golf course. “Route 1 is important because it has a lot of places, stores, restaurants and historic places,” Oscar said. Members of Vaudo’s Class include Jiada Alqudah, Adriana Amoroso, Olivia Clark, Caleb Cunha, Aubrey DeMonte, Aryanna DiPietro, Liliana Fronduto, Jackson Gori, Liam Guzman, Pedro Julio, Seyeda Mirzais, Erica Mpwagi, Kenny Nguyen, Nhi Nguyen, Sebastian Patague, Oscar Sanchez Yanes, Janelys Serrano, Isabella Snyder, Arthur Souza Gomes, Dylan Verone and Devin Voong. (Editor’s Note: Today’s story is the fi rst of an occasional series of articles about innovative teaching methods involving teachers and students who are involved in various projects in the classroom. The Saugus Advocate extends an invitation to all educators. Here’s a chance for them to talk about special programs they have going to A vote to reduce the height of tall buildings Town Meeting members support Selectman Serino’s articles to reduce the allowable height of apartment buildings in town to 50 feet By Mark E. Vogler S electman Michael Serino lost a battle earlier this year in his eff orts to lower the height of tall apartment buildings on Route 1. But at Monday’s (May 9) session of the Annual Town Meeting, he won the war, winning overwhelming support on a package of articles that will reduce the maximum allowable height of apartment buildings in town from 90 feet to 50 feet. Businesses along Route 1 will be limited to 90 feet. As a result of the articles — which were supported by the Planning Board — the proposed mixed-use Kowloon project on Route 1 may include the last two six-story apartment buildings allowed in town, providing the articles passed Friday are approved by the state Attorney General’s Offi ce. For weeks, Serino was a staunch opponent of the Kowloon project, arguing it wouldn’t be in the best interests of the town to allow the proposed buildings to exceed four stories and 55 feet in height that the town zoning at the time allowed within the Route 1 Business Highway Sustainable Zoning District (BHSD). But when selectmen fi nally voted early last month, Serino reluctantly joined the rest of the board in unanimous support of the Wong family’s request for a special permit for the mixed-used development at the current site of the Kowloon Restaurant which would allow no more than 198 apartment units. There was sharp debate on Article 17, but it passed 33-5. “This is not what Saugus is all about,” Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Pamela Goodwin said in arguing her case in support of Serino’s article. Others said they feared that not passing the article would allow for skyscrapers to be built across the Route 1 landscape. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joseph Vecchione, who is also a Planning Board member, said he feared passage of the article “will eff ectively kill new growth in town.” “It undermines the process,” he said. help their students learn in innovative ways. If you have an idea, feel free to email The Editor at mvoge@comcast.net or call 978-382-8151 to share your story idea.)
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