Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021 The latest Coronavirus Count State health offi cials notify Saugus of 16 new cases over the past week; death toll increases to 73 By Mark E. Vogler AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Is your vehicle ready for the Summer Season?!! Recharge your vehicle's AC for the warm weather! Includes up to 1 LB. of Refrigerant* (*Most Vehicles/Some Restrictions May Apply) AC SPECIAL Only $69.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2005 FORD F-150 XLT Excellent Vehicle Inside & Out!, Leather Interior, Fully Loaded, Clean Title, Warranty, Only 68,000 Miles! TRADES WELCOME! X-CAB EDITION, 4X4, Most Power Options, Clean Title, Warranty, Only 105K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! TRADES WELCOME! $5,300 $7,995 (781) 321-8841 • (617) 571-9869 Easy Financing Available! 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com Vehicle! We Pay Cash For Your 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA LTZ he Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) advised the town of 16 new confi rmed COVID-19 cases yesterday (Thursday, May 20), raising the overall total to 4,187 since the outbreak of the virus in March of last year. Town Manager Scott C. CrabT tree cited the declining number of confi rmed COVID-19 cases in recent weeks as a major factor of plans to reopen Saugus Town Hall on Monday (May 24). (See related story.) Meanwhile, the number of deaths in Saugus linked to the virus increased by one to 73, according to the latest statistics released yesterday by Town Manager Crabtree’s offi ce. This week’s number of newly confi rmed cases remained the same. A week ago, the state had also reported 16 new cases – 10 fewer new cases than over the previous week. “Our hearts and prayers go out to those families aff ected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said in the latest press release updating the latest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Crabtree’s office noted the following COVID-19 related information as a public service to town residents: “Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree announces that The North Shore Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic will begin off ering appointments on Tuesday, May 11th. The regional clinic is a partnership between the Cities of Beverly, Lynn, Peabody, and Salem and the Towns of Danvers, Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott. The clinic will be able to administer 1,000 vaccinations per week using the Pfi zer COVID-19 vaccine. “What: North Shore Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic “Where: Salem State University O’Keefe Center, 225 Canal Street, Salem “When: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. starting May 11th, except Thursday May 13th which will run 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. “Who is eligible: Open to all Massachusetts residents age 16 and older. Those under the age of 18 must have a signed consent form: [www.mass.gov/ lists/ma-consent-and-screening-forms-for-people-under-18years-of-age] “How to get an appointment? To book an appointment at this site visit https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/salem. Please register in advance for an appointment; walk-in appointments will only be opened depending on the availability of vaccine that day. “What: This clinic has been provisioned with the Pfi zer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Important: Masks are required to be worn over your mouth and nose at the clinic site at all times. Please wear a shirt that CORONAVIRUS | SEE PAGE 16 Rep. Donald H. Wong supports bill to provide additional unemployment insurance rate relief to Massachusetts businesses B OSTON – State Representative Donald H. Wong (R-Saugus) recently supported legislation that will provide additional fi nancial relief to Massachusetts businesses facing huge pandemic-related increases in their unemployment insurance bills. Due to the record-breaking number of unemployment claims fi led during the COVID-19 state of emergency, which prompted a statutorily-mandated increase in the formula used to calculate an employer’s experience rating, the annual unemployment insurance solvency fund assessment jumped from 0.58% to 9.23% for 2021, representing a staggering 1591% increase in just one year. Representative Wong said compromise language drafted by the Baker-Polito Administration will mitigate the UI rate increase by spreading the costs over a 20-year period, eff ectively reducing the assessment for businesses from 9.23% to 1.12%. The compromise was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives on a 157-0 vote on May 18, but still requires Senate approval. Under the compromise plan, a new COVID claims account will be set up to handle existing COVID claims that had been Donald Wong State Representative placed in the solvency account. The Department of Unemployment Assistance will recalculate fi rst-quarter UI bills to refl ect these changes, with payment on these bills due by July 31. Beginning August 1, new UI claims will be charged directly to employers’ accounts. The House and Senate had previously moved the due date for fi rst-quarter bills from April 30 to June 1. Representative Wong noted that employers who have already paid their fi rst-quarter bills will receive a credit. Representative Wong was one of 53 legislators who wrote to Governor Charlie Baker and House and Senate leadership on April 14 urging immediate steps be taken to protect employers from the solvency assessment increase and calling for the use of federal funding to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The compromise language approved by the House does not require the use of federal funding, although Representative Wong noted that this issue could be revisited at a later date. Before voting on the compromise UI plan, the House also rejected a proposed amendment filed by Governor Baker that would have excluded municipal employees from qualifying for the COVID-related paid sick leave program approved by the House and Senate in March. That bill also provided assistance to small businesses by freezing the UI rate at Schedule E for calendar years 2021 and 2022 and exempting forgiven federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans from being subject to the state income tax. The UI solvency fund assessment compromise language now moves to the Senate for its consideration.
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