Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, May 17, 2019 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. A challenge to Saugus American History teachers Here’s a wonderful opportunity for educators in Saugus Public Schools to localize some of their classroom discussions about the American Civil War. For homework, assign your students to learn about the Saugus soldiers and sailors that were laid to rest in the Civil War Veterans burial plot in Riverside Cemetery. Got 25 students? Assign them to start their research with a gravestone rubbing of one of the 25 veterans. Using the Internet, the students should be able retrieve information from several Civil War soldier or sailor sites and compose a biography of each of the veterans. Thanks to Vietnam War veteran Gordon Shepard – the subject of today’s “The Advocate Asks” – the soldiers and sailors are no longer the unknown soldiers and sailors. There are new plaques with names in very legible black lettering. Shepard has provided a starting point to any curious students who want to learn about their hometown heroes who fought for the Union in the Civil War. It’s worth checking out. An Open Meeting Law exception Town Meeting member Ronald M. Wallace says one explanation given for him not being able to read a resolution supporting the school custodians is that he would be violating the Open Meeting Law by bringing up something that wasn’t initially included on the Town Meeting warrant. What a bunch of bunk. And shame on Wallace’s colleagues who attempted to deceive him on that point. I got into an argument with one of them at Town Hall this week. For a point of enlightenment, please refer to the At~ OPEN HOUSE ~ Sunday, May 19 * 11:30 - 1:00 PM 63 HARVARD ST., CHELSEA PRATTVILLE SECTION NEW PRICE: $549,900. torney General’s Open Meeting Law Guide. The guide poses this question: What are the exceptions to the definition of a meeting? The guide states: “There are five exceptions to the definition of a meeting under the Open Meeting.” And one of them is “Town Meetings.” “Town Meetings, which are subject to other legal requirements, are not governed by the Open Meeting Law. See, e.g. G.L. c. 39, §§ 9, 10 (establishing procedures for Town Meeting),” according to the guide. It continues, “We have received several inquiries about the exception for Town Meeting and whether it applies to meetings outside of a Town Meeting session by Town Meeting members or Town Meeting committees or to deliberation by members of a public body – such as a board of selectmen – during a session of Town Meeting. “The Attorney General interprets this exemption to mean that the Open Meeting Law does not reach any aspect of Town Meeting. Therefore, the Attorney General will not investigate complaints alleging violations in these situations. Note, however, that this is a matter of interpretation and future Attorneys General may choose to apply the law in such situation.” Hey, Saugus bicyclists, this one’s for you! Registration is open for the Annual Bike to the Sea Day Ride on Sunday, June 2! The ride from Everett through Malden, Revere, Saugus and Lynn to Nahant Beach is designed to bring attention and support to efforts to complete the trail. Individual adult registrations cost $25. Family registrations (for two adults and two children) cost $35. You can register online via PayPal. Registration includes a free tee shirt and free lunch at the Dockside in Malden after the ride for all participants. Riders can choose a shorter 14-mile course or the full 20-mile route. The route is mostly off-road from Everett through Malden, Revere and Saugus, but then goes on-road at the Lynn line. Police escorts are usually given to assist bicyclists at major intersections. Meet at the Madeline English School (105 Woodville St. in Everett) at 8:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. ride kickoff. Bicycle helmets are required. Contact: Steve Winslow: 781-397-6893. Anonymous note on traffic safety Inquiring minds in Saugus are still wondering if and when action is going to be taken to make the streets safer for residents to walk. Check out this letter we received this week. There are some very good points. Saugus people are asking these questions: How many traffic deaths is it going to take to get the Saugus town government and Saugus Police Department to do something about the horrendous speeding conditions in Saugus? The deaths of 81 year old Judy Hoffman of Saugus, 47 year old Kathleen Callahan of Saugus and 47 year old Dana Campo of Tewksbury, as a result of traffic accidents within the past year, should mean something to making the streets of Saugus safer. When are the results of the traffic study going to be complete? They were supposed to be ready by the end of April. A public forum was supposed to be held to present the study results. The streets of Saugus are owned by the Town of Saugus. If voted by the Board of Selectmen/Saugus Traffic Commissioners just put up the 25 MPH signs. Don’t ask the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for permission. If the town installs the signs is the DOT going to sue the town? When is something going to be done about the deplorable conA RARE GEM: Located in the Historic Prattville section of Chelsea, former home to two mayors and state senator; featuring brand new kitchen and appliances with granite counter tops and recessed lighting; all hardwood floors throughout, four bedrooms-plus, two and half baths with tiled shower stall; half bath off kitchen; leaded stained glass windows, grand staircase; cedar pine walk-in closets; wrap-around farmer’s porch; imported working stone fireplace; large living room and large third floor living/play space with two extra rooms, back yard and more! A block from park/playground. Move in and start making memories! Sandy Juliano, BROKER CBR,ASP JRS PROPERTIES, INC. Cell: 617-448-0854 * Office: 617-544-6274 433 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 The service doesn’t end with the sale! ditions of the sidewalks in Saugus? People who walk around town say a lot of the sidewalks are dangerous and impassable for people in wheelchairs. Don’t we have a sidewalk committee made up of town meeting members who are supposed to be looking out for pedestrian safety? Why don’t police in cruisers park on the main roads when not responding to calls? That is what’s done in Melrose. The presence of a police car is a definite deterrent to speeders. This being an election year, Saugus’ elected officials should realize that voters want answers to these questions. Traffic safety should be a hot-button issue in the upcoming election. People want to know if their elected officials are paying attention to and trying to do something about the very serious, dangerous traffic situation in Saugus. Did you know that after the Board of Selectmen voted to make Essex Street 25MPH 25MPH signs could be installed from Cliftondale Square to Route 1 in both directions, according to Massachusetts General Law –Part 1, Title XIV, Chapter 90, Section 17C? (There should be an urgency to do this based on the large numSOUNDS | SEE PAGE 17
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