SAUGUS Have a Safe & Happy Memorial Day Weekend! OCAT D Vol. 27, No.21 CAT -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday A PATRIOTIC RIDE THROUGH SAUGUS I WEARING THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE: This proud motorcyclist was one of many who drove through Saugus Center shortly after noon last Sunday during the 14th Annual Boston Wounded Vet Run Motorcycle Ride. The purpose of the event was to support two veterans who were severely wounded in Afghanistan. The ride began and ended in Revere. Please see inside for more photos. (Courtesy Photo of Charles Zapolski) TE 781-233-4446 Friday, May 23, 2025 Town Meeting 2025 Town Meeting votes to correct the marijuana “mistake” by limiting the number of dispensaries to two By Mark E. Vogler t’s been nearly three years since the Annual Town Meeting voted overwhelmingly in favor of a zoning article that allowed the sale of recreational marijuana in town. But Saugus – like many communities in Massachusetts that welcomed the cannabis industry with hopes of benefi ting from a new revenue stream – hasn’t seen the benefits it was expecting. Instead, the town is now taking action to protect itself and contain the economic losses that government offi cials fear are the result of a May 2022 Town Meeting vote that made it possible for two retail marijuana dispensaries to open on Route 1 sometime in the future. At the conclusion of the third session of this year’s Town Meeting on Monday (May 19) night, members voted 42-0 in support of an article that would limit the number of marijuana establishments within the Business Highway Sustainable District (BHSD) to two businesses – one on each side of Route 1. “We have seen no benefi t to date,” said Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta as she called on Town Meeting members to support the article cosponsored by her and SelectTOWN MEETING | SEE PAGE 14 Happy Memorial Day Weekend! 2.79 24 Mid-grade Regular $3.37 24 Over 47 Years of Excellence! 1978 - 2025 Full Service ULS TRUCK STOP $2.73 Order online at angelosoil.com FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Memorial Day Weekend in Saugus The solemn holiday honoring the nation’s fallen war heroes begins this afternoon with a flagging of veterans’ graves at the Riverside Cemetery. It continues with a parade and cemetery ceremony tomorrow By Mark E. Vogler S REMEMBERED ON MEMORIAL DAY: An old local newspaper clip reports on the death of Joseph W. Pace, a 24-yearold seaman from East Saugus, who was wounded on Dec. 7, 1941, in the first Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and later died of his wounds. Please see inside for Memorial Day coverage. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net augus, like every community throughout America, will observe Memorial Day (Monday, May 26) by pausing to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces in all wars. The holiday will officially get underway today (Friday, May 23) at 3 p.m. with a flagging of veterans graves in Riverside Cemetery. Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti has again issued an invitation to all Saugus citizens to volunteer their time to assist longtime grave officer Randy Briand in planting mini-American flags. “We need as many volunteers as we can get to make sure all of the veterans graves in the cemetery get a flag,” Castinetti said this week. The volunteers should meet at the Veterans Lot on the cemetery grounds. Pizza and drinks donated by J&M Italian American Cuisine will be served after the flagging. Memorial Day observances continue tomorrow morning with the traditional parade, which will end in Riverside Cemetery with a special ceremony. Wakefield native Shelby M. Nikitin, the former Naval commander of the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, will be the keynote speaker of this year’s Memorial Day Ceremonies. Nikitin, a 2000 graduate of Wakefield Memorial High, graduated four years later from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, where she received her commission through the NROTC program and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Last year, she completed her command tour onboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner. The ship was part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations in support of theater security cooperation efforts and to defend United States, allied and partner interests. Under her leadership, the ship deployed to protect maritime shipping from illegal, dangerous and destabilizing Houthi attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea. ComTHIS YEAR’S KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Wakefield native Shelby M. Nikitin, the former Naval commander of the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, will address the crowd during tomorrow’s Memorial Day Ceremony at Riverside Cemetery. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Jacob Milham) mander Nikitin received the Bronze Star for her extraordinary leadership and bravery in defending lives and protecting the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways. The USS Thomas Hudner was built at Bath Iron Works in Maine. “Rain or shine, we will definitely have the parade,” Castinetti said. “So, you might want to bring an umbrella if you are worried about the rain,” he said. Bands, marchers, parade floats, vehicles and other participants will gather at the staging area at Anna Parker Playground at 124 Essex St. at 9 a.m. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., traveling the same parade route as last year: down Essex Street toward Cliftondale Square, down Lincoln Avenue onto Central Street, to Winter Street and into Riverside Cemetery for the Memorial Day Ceremonies. Eugene Decareau, a 95-yearold Korean War era veteran, will serve as this year’s parade grand marshal. He’ll be riding in one of the antique convertMEMORIAL DAY | SEE PAGE 18
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 3 “You have to spend within your means” T Operating budget approved by Town Meeting falls $1.4 million short of what Saugus Public Schools requested By Mark E. Vogler eachers, school administrators, parents and even students packed the back rows of both sides of the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall Monday night (May 19) to advocate for the Annual Town Meeting to support full restoration of School Superintendent Michael Hashem’s $36.3 million operating budget request for the 2026 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. After more than an hour of testimony from supporters advocating for Town Meeting to come up with some $1.5 million to narrow the gap in the initial budget requested by the superintendent and Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s proposed operating budget for Saugus Public Schools, Meeting members voted overwhelmingly to support the town manager’s budget. Advocates for the schools argued that classes were underfunded and challenged, particularly for addressing the needs of Special Needs students. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Matthew Parlante’s motion to use free cash to fund the School Department’s operating budget failed, 34-8. “Free cash comes from line items that aren’t getting used,” said Parlante in his explanation as to how Town Meeting could close the budget gap. “There are items in our own budget that can be cut,” he said. In response to Parlante’s proposal, Crabtree called it a bad idea that “goes against the financial policies that we have.” “Frankly, this is irresponsible. It’s just reckless,” Crabtree said. “If this article is supported, it will have an effect on the bond 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $11.00 Price includes Roller Skates 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required 12-9 p.m. $10.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com rating,” the town manager said. “You have to spend within your means,” he said. Parlante insisted that the town had the money to fund Hashem’s request in full. “He has no idea what he’s talking about. It’s embarrassing, Crabtree said. Finance Committee Chair BUDGET | SEE PAGE 15 Kenneth DePatto called Parlante’s proposal a “bad business practice.” DePatto noted that some surrounding communities face fiscal hardships from taking that approach. “I strongly recommend that you don’t use
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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 5 “She is more than an athletic coach” S Sachem Girls Basketball Coach Norma Waggett receives MBA Dean’s Award at Salem State University By Mark E. Vogler augus High School girls’ sports legend Norma Waggett continues to make her mark as someone whom the student athletes she coaches can look up to as a role model. Waggett, a standout basketball player at Saugus High School and during her college days, recently received the MBA Dean’s Award from the Bertolon School of Business at Salem State University. The school’s Dean, Raminder Luther, called her “a double Viking,” the ultimate student athlete while at Salem State. “She has a history of athletic and academic achievement here at SSU,” Luther said. “As an undergraduate student in Exercise Science (class of 2018), she was captain for the SSU varsity basketball team and scored 1,000 points. She also set a school record for most points in a game (44) in 2017,” she said. Waggett is pursuing an MBA while also studying for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). She plans to become a Physical Education teacher at Saugus High School to further help the next generation of students, according to Luther. She currently works at Mass General Cancer Center as a Financial Coordinator. She assists with creating budgets for new cancer research for the fi rst steps of clinical trials before the FDA can approve for mass production. The Dean’s Award plaque that Waggett received notes that she “exemplifies qualities and characteristics the school most seeks in students including academic achievement, leadership qualities and demonstrated service to others.” “When not in school or in the offi ce, Norma volunteers her time as the Varsity basketball coach and assistant track coach at her alma mater Saugus High School [where she was a 3-sport captain],” Luther said in her remarks at the awards presentation. “She is more than an athletic coach, because she serves as a mentor to all the young girls in both programs [basketball & track], teaching them how to become strong female leaders, bringing them on college tours and helping them reach out THE MODEL STUDENT ATHLETE: Norma Waggett (center), a sports standout during her days at Saugus High School and later Salem State University, recently received the MBA Dean’s Award from Salem State. Congratulating her on the honor are University Provost David J. Silva (left) and Bertolon School of Business Dean Dr. Raminder Luther. (Courtesy Photo of Jesenia Morales to The Saugus Advocate) to college coaches for recruitment. She is dedicated to empowering female athletes by growing their passion for the sport along with helping them on their academic journey,” LuNORMA WAGGETT | SEE PAGE 6 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Water Rates will rise by 6 percent Town Meeting votes overwhelmingly in support of Finance Committee recommendation that would increase average residential bill by $34 a year in the next fi scal year By Mark E. Vogler T own Meeting Members voted 38-5 in support of a 6 percent in the water rate for the 2026 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. Under the increase plan recommended by the Finance Committee, the average residential user would pay $594 a year, an increase of $34 in their annual water bill. The average commercial user would pay $5,282 a year, a $298 hike. Voting against the article were Town Meeting Members Jeanie Bartolo and William S. Brown of Precinct 6, Robert J. Camuso, Jr. and Matthew Parlante of Precinct 2 and Darren Ring of Precinct 10. In its recommendation of Article 11, the Finance Committee urged Town Meeting to adopt Option 2, the middle of three options, stipIf We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available ulating that all receipts be held in the Water Enterprise Fund to be used exclusively for water expenses, water maintenance, water debt and interest and water improvement programs. Option 1 provided for a 7 percent increase, which would have raised the average residential user’s bill up to $600 a year – a $40 hike. This option would have increased the average commercial user’s bill to $5,332 a year – a bump of $348. Option 3 provided for a 5 percent increase, which would have raised the average residential user’s bill up to $590 a year – a $28 increase. This option would have increased the average commercial user’s bill to $5,232 a year – a bump of $250. A report by the town’s longtime consultant, The Abrahams Group LLC, noted that the current fi scal year (FY 2025) was impacted in the following ways: ther said. “In this role, Norma is also very active in garnering community support for women varsity sports. She organizes events to encourage and inspire elementary aged girls to excel in sports and feel supported as athletes. She does all of this while maintaining a 3.84 GPA in her MBA program.” Waggett, along with fellow Saugus alumna Taylor Bogdanski, co-coached the Sachems to a successful completion of their basketball season this winter. The Sachems captured another Northeastern Conference title, won a postseason game and fi nished 14-8. Since her student athlete • Projected user charges revenue were up 8.7 percent over FY 2024’s due to a 6 percent increase and an increased usage due to the weather. • Projected expenses up $487,000 (or 5.9 percent) over FY 2024’s – mostly due to salaries, other expenses and debt. • $332,000 in retained earnings used to balance the budget projections show only $114,000 will be needed for the defi cit. Each year, the town focuses on a fi ve-year plan with objectives to: • Target projected retained earnings balance of 10 to 15 percent of operating budget • Eliminate shortfalls, which require retained earnings to balance the operating budget • Increase rates so revenues from rates cover expenditures • Fund capital plan for infrastructure and equipment NORMA WAGGETT | FROM PAGE 5 days at Saugus High, Waggett has excelled on and off the basketball court. She was a 1,000-point scorer at Saugus High School and in college, where she played at Saint Joseph’s in Maine and at Salem State University. “Norma would like to thank her family for their continued support of her academic and athletic paths (always attending games to support, even now when she is coaching),” Luther said. “She would also like to recognize Athletics Director Chris Harvey for his support during her transfer process into SSU. Congratulations, Norma.” Donate Your Vehicle Call (866) 618-0011 to donate your car, truck, boat, RV, and more today! ■ Support Veteran Nonprofi ts. ■ Free Pickup & Towing. ■ Top Tax Deduction. Donate Your Vehicle Today 866-618-0011 www.veterancardonations.org/dnt122 While we appreciate every donation, in some cases, we fi nd that we are unable to accept certain vehicles, watercraft, and/or recreational vehicles due to the prohibitive costs of acquisition. If you have any questions, please give us a call at (866) 618-0011.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 7 We pay tribute and honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus First things first. If you are a patriotic person who loves Saugus and values the personal sacrifi ces made by men and women who gave their lives in defense of this nation, remember those fallen heroes today and reflect on the sacrifices they made defending America. If you have time today (Friday, May 23) at around 3 p.m., join Saugus graves offi cer Randy Brian in fl agging all of the veterans graves at Riverside Cemetery. Plan to meet Randy and the other volunteers at the Veterans Lot at the cemetery. If you don’t know where that is, just look for the crowd of Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Little League and Softball League volunteers and High School students. And defi nitely if you are in Saugus tomorrow on a weekend getaway, make a point to join a host of Saugus living veterans, families of veterans or just plain patriotic Saugus folks for the town’s Annual Memorial Day Parade, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow (Saturday, May 24) at 10 a.m., leaving the parking lot at Anna Parker Playground, on Essex Street, headed to Cliftondale Square then down on Lincoln Avenue, turning left onto Central Street and then making a right onto Winter Street and into Riverside Cemetery, following the crowd all the way to the Veterans Lot. Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti wanted me to mention in this week’s column that a recent banner at the corner of Hamilton and Central Streets on the Saugus Town Hall lawn had the curbside by 7 a.m. the day after their normally scheduled collection day. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/ Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions. A VISION FROM FLANDERS FIELDS: in remembrance of Memorial Day for those who gave the ultimate sacrifi ce in service to country. (Courtesy photo of 16 by 20 inch Cotton Canvas Acrylic painting by Joanie Allbee) wrong date – May 25 (Sunday), which was in error. If you don’t plan on walking in the parade, a good spot to watch the parade is along Central and Winter Streets. It’s a short walking distance into the cemetery. The fallen heroes of Saugus Some folks confuse the purpose of Memorial Day with Veterans Day (Nov. 11), two similar patriotic holidays. Memorial Day, which was once known as “Decoration Day” — honoring the Civil War fallen heroes — is to honor those who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans Day, which commemorates the end of World War I, is meant to honor all living veterans, retired or still serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This time of year, I like to mention the war dead totals I’ve compiled over the years by counting stars for each of the wars from World War I through the Iraq War. Saugus by the numbers: Based on a count of the stars on local monuments, here are the numbers of Saugus servicemen who were killed while serving their country: • World War I – 14 • World War II – 57 • Korean War – 2 • Vietnam War – 3 • Iraq War – 1 Saugus in the Civil War: Killed in action aren’t noted. But on the large Civil War Monument inside the large rotary – a keystone-shaped roundabout – two plaques on the right and left sides of the memorial list the names of 163 Saugus residents who served in the war. One-day holiday trash delay The Town of Saugus announces that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Memorial Day holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, May 26, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Tuesday, May 27. Residents are kindly asked to leave their trash and recycling What Memorial Day means to me I usually get annoyed when people wish me a “Happy Memorial Day Weekend.” I realize that it’s regarded as one of the most popular holidays of the year, where there are outdoor family outings, gatherings of friends, cookouts, parades and fun things people do to enjoy the unoffi cial start of summer. Passive sports fans like to tune in on their television sets for the Indy 500, baseball games, playoff basketball and hockey. Golf. You name it. For the culturally inclined, it might be a time to go to an outdoor concert or an art gallery. For people who are into physical fi tness, there are marathons and road races and some walking or water sports. Sure, I’ve got a lot of fond memories of my family relaxing on Memorial Day, while growing up in Swansea, a small town of around 14,000 people in Southeastern Massachusetts. There would be a cookout. As a Boy Scout or member on a Minor League baseball team in the town’s Little League for kids, there were parades to march in. But it was ingrained in me from an early age that besides doing something fun on the holiday (which actually became a holiday in 1971), THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 8 100 Salem Turnpike, Saugus, MA 01906 WINWASTESAUGUS.COM
Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 7 a visit to the family cemetery was always a top priority. We’d go to a garden center to pick up geraniums for the graves of loved ones passed who served in the service. Fortunately, I didn’t have any members in my family who died while serving in the armed forces. But at our Episcopal Church in Fall River, we said prayers for two church members – soldiers my family knew who died during World War II. Once I began my journalism career as a newspaper reporter, I developed a deeper appreciation of Memorial Day. The Vietnam War was winding down, so I got to write stories about men my age who died in combat while serving in the U.S. Army. Every town had them. I’m sure I will get invited to a Memorial Day cookout this week by a few friends. But my main focus will be to travel to Swansea to find some flowers to put on the graves of my Uncle Albert (U.S. Army), my dad (U.S. Navy) and my twin brother Lance (U.S. Air Force). Lance was a Vietnam Veteran War veteran who volunteered and served with honor in the U.S. Air Force over in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. He got killed in a motorcycle accident an eighth of a mile from our Swansea home on Memorial Day in 1978. Even before I awoke to a knock on the door by a stranger at a motel in San Angelo, Texas, with a message to call home, my work as a reporter involved covering some horrendous and heart-breaking fatal car crashes. Besides regarding Memorial Day as a special time to remember those American Service people who gave their lives, I also consider it to be one of the most deadly holidays while traveling on the road. That never changed. I plan to be in Saugus again for Memorial Day observances tomorrow (Saturday, May 24) morning to cover and photograph the town’s Annual Memorial Day Parade, wrapping up with a ceremony in Riverside Cemetery. I wish all of our readers a safe and healthy holiday weekend. Be careful if you are driving. Don’t drink and drive and be on the lookout for drivers who have had too much to drink. And if you have loved ones or friends who died while serving in the Armed Forces, visit their graves and remember them in your prayers. This week’s “SHOUT OUTs” We had a busy week handling “Shout Out” nominations from readers who wished to publicly acknowledge the good deeds or efforts by a fellow Saugonian to make the town a better place to live. Here they are: Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti nominated the Vietnam veteran and Saugus native Gordon Shepard, who has devoted thousands of volunteer hours over the past 17 years sprucing up Riverside Cemetery, focusing on improving the appearance and upkeep of veterans’ gravesites. People in Saugus who know Gordie say nobody knows the fallen heroes and servicemen and servicewomen of Saugus like Gordie. As Castinetti puts it: “Gordie won’t be able to make it this year. He’s down in Florida recuperating from an accident. His dedication to make that cemetery look as good as it does will be sorely missed this year. We want to wish him a speedy recovery.” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta offered this “Shout Out” to Alex Pappagallo “for winning an Honorable mention for his PSA poster design for the MASS Partnership for Youth. He also did an excellent job explaining his poster at our May 20th Selectmen’s meeting.” Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo, who is regarded as the most prolific “shout out” nominator in town, and the one who suggested the feature be included as a regular part of this column, offered a “shout out” for “shout outs.” Here’s what she had to say: “This Memorial Day marks six years since The Saugus Advocate ‘Shout Outs’ column started, all thanks to you! The grand total is 556, so I thought a ‘Shout Out’ to all the people who nominated someone special for a ‘Shout Out’ this past year and a huge thank you to Mark Vogler, Editor of The Advocate, for printing them every week is well deserved. Many thanks to all, let’s keep Shout- ing Out!” Frequent Saugus Advocate SAVE $350when you transform your patio into an outdoor oasis. Instant shade—at the touch of a button. Enjoy more quality time with family and friends. Up to 10-Year Limited Warranty. SAVE$350 TODAY! Call 1-833-626-0576 now to America’s #1 Awning! GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! In this week’s edition, we bring back a popular feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who was being 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 Saugonian 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 gift certificate. Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. Prize donation for the winner is a $15.00 Dunkin’ Gift Card donated Anonymously by a Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) Parson Roby Chapter member who is wishing you a peaceful & reflective Memorial Day. You have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” (Courtesy photo and sketch by Joanie Allbee, aka “The Sketch Artist”) contributor and longtime town historian and writer Janice K. Jarosz offered this tribute: “Little Brook Florist and Garden Center is located at 190 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus, MA. A family-owned business for several years, they offer a large selection of fresh flowers, plants for your vegetable garden, a variety of herb plants, along with helpful advice on your planting selections. Little Brook is a delightful place to visit with convenient parking and offers everything you will need for all your gardening plans! Please support small businesses in Saugus!” Avid Saugus reader Joyce Rodenhiser, one of the town’s most civic-minded people, offered two “shout outs” this week, one of them for “Janice Jarosz and her committees who continue to restore the MEG building in Cliftondale Square. They have been working on this for a very long time and sustain their wonderful work with new fund raisers very often.” Joyce also offered a “shout out” for Donna Manoogian and Lorraine DiMilla, “who recently presented the town wide fund raiser for the Saugus Garden Club with great style. Donna and Lorraine have capably presided at the Garden Club for 11 years.” “In times when joining groups has fallen on hard times, these three women conTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 11
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 9 War cries heard in Saugus Saugus residents were gearing up for what was to be the inevitable entry of hometown boys into the Second World War (Editor’s Note: Saugus native and longtime local historian and writer Janice K. Jarosz reached into her extensive collection of articles and research on Saugus veterans who answered the call of duty in World War II to write the following article for The Saugus Advocate.) By Janice K. Jarosz O n October 31, 1940, 1,322 men from the town registered for the draft. Norman Yeo, #158, of 23 Acadia Avenue, was the first man registered. He received a questionnaire as a first step to a one-year service in Uncle Sam’s Army. The second one to register was Edwin Westerndarp, 25 Highland Avenue; then Joseph Sciaon, Robert Craham and Robert Culbert. Twenty more young men signed up and they left on the 8:16 a.m. train to the Irvington State Armory, and then on to Fort Devens. On January 9, 1941, a delegation of high school students, parents and friends crowded the Saugus Center Station on a cold Tuesday morning to see the second quota of draftees leaving for Fort Devens. In this group there were Arthur Rand Jr., Walter H. Fuller, both volunteers, Angelo Calcagno, Edmund Torrance, Russell Smith and Norman R. Yeo. According to several newspaper articles, at 7:48 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Service conducted a surprise military strike on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, with 353 Imperial Japanese aircraft, including fighters, dive bombers and torpedo bombers, in two waves, destroying eight U.S. Navy battleships and sinking four, and approximately 130 U.S. aircraft were destroyed. A total of 2,403 Americans were killed, and 1, 178 others were wounded. The United States was a neutral country at that time, and the attack led to the United States launching its formal entry into World War II on the side of the Allies the next day. Joseph W. Pace, a 24-yearold seaman from East Saugus, was wounded in the first Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and later died of his wounds. On December 8, 1941, at 12:30 SAUGUS SAILOR KILLED IN ACTION: Joseph W. Pace, a 24-year-old seaman from East Saugus, was wounded in the first Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and later died of his wounds. His was the first death of any Saugus serviceman. He was a 1936 graduate of Saugus High School. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) p.m. EST, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the Congress of the United States: “Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate, and the House of Representatives: On December 7, 1941, a date that will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” More than 150 veterans of the World War Yankee Division from a score of cities and towns, assembled in Lynn, on receiving word that Japan attacked American ships in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, voted unanimously in support of President Roosevelt’s foreign policies. On December 9, 1941, four young men from Saugus were attending a Boston Bruins hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks. The game was delayed for over a half hour as President Franklin Deleno Roosevelt took to the microphone and declared that America was at war with Japan. Those four young men left the game and went down to the Salem Recruitment office and signed up. Two of them were only 17 but fibbed about their age. After suffering through the Depression of the late thirties, the Saugus High School graduating Class of 1941 now found themselves in the beginning of World War II. Many classmates left in their senior year to join the Armed Forces, and despite the loss of so many student athletes, the SHS Football team kept the town’s spirit alive with games held at Stackpole Field. Neighborhood stores closed down and the wooden bleachers were filled with over 10,000 proud fans. It was not long before food rationing of sugar, meat, butter and nylon stockings went into effect. Residents were also asked to turn in any metal they had to be melted down to make bullets. One TEACHERS FROM SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL SERVING IN 1943: A page from the Saugus High School yearbook shows four faculty members who were serving their country in 1943. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) World War I veteran donated all of his medals to the cause. Housewives were asked to save their kitchens fats and greases and turn them into the meat market men. They were told that the Army uses these items for the following implements of war: munitions of all kinds, signal rockGerry 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. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 ets, recoil mechanisms, demolition charges, propellants and gunpowder. In other words, no matter what branch of the service your son or neighbor was in, he wants and needs the explosives that will come from the kitchen fats you save and sell to your meat market man.
Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Saugus Gardens in the Spring Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener A s we head into Memorial Day weekend, the town is ready for parades and the start of summer. The baskets of ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are hung on the lampposts in Saugus Center and Cliftondale. Gardens all over town are in peak bloom. Julia Aston’s garden includes a perennial relative of the familiar annual geranium. Several species of perennial and annual geraniums were once considered to be in the same genus, but later botanists decided that they were less closely related. Showy bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), European columbine (Aquilegia spp.) and perennial geranium or cranesbill (Geranium ‘Rozanne’) are very attractive late spring to summer flowers that can be depended upon for many years. While the bleeding heart will begin to go dormant next month, the columbine and cranesbill often rebloom later in the summer, and their foliage lasts until fall. The cranesbill leaves even have a reddish fall foliage color. Among the most noticeable flowers this week are the bearded irises (Iris pallida, Iris germanica and many hybrids). This is the floral emblem of the Saugus Garden Club, and A petunia with white speckles on a deep purple background calls to mind the spangled blue field on the flag or a starry, starry night. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) it has always been among my favorites. Bearded iris blossoms have three colorful upright petals, which are known as standards, and three colorful drooping sepals known as falls. At the top of the falls there is a fuzzy nectar guide, which is the “beard” that gave this group of irises its name. While there may not be as many different irises as there are roses, there is certainly no lack of variation. The flower parts may be all one solid color, or they may have speckles, streaks or edges of a somewhat contrasting shade. The falls may be a totally different hue than the standards, and the beards may be yet another color. One of the most unusual color patterns I have seen is the broken color pattern on several irises in the herb garden at the Saugus Iron Works that is half dark purple and half nearly white, split down the middle of some of the falls. While late May to early June are the most common times for bearded iris to bloom in our area, reblooming irises like ‘Immortality’ can bloom at least once more per growing season, usually in October or November. Hybrid tea roses (Rosa hybriOne of the most interesting bearded irises I have seen is this one with split colors on its falls at the Saugus Iron Works. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) da) are a very varied group, available in many colors, with somewhat fragrant flowers, multiple petals and usually only one blossom per stem, but producing new blossoms repeatedly through the growing season. They are usually what we picture when we think of a rose. Stems are grafted onto hardy, disease-resistant rose roots, which means they require less maintenance. Removing spent flower heads Showy bleeding heart, European columbine and perennial geranium bloom in Julia Aston’s garden. (Photo courtesy of Julia Aston) Patriotic container gardens on my front steps include pink and white verbena, ‘Night Sky’ petunia, red and white petunias, ‘Red Sensation’ cordyline, dark purple foliaged coral bells, and flag decorations. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) This group of bearded irises usually blooms right around Memorial Day each year. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) will keep them blooming longer. Roses prefer a very sunny site, not only to encourage a long blooming season but to discourage diseases that can be spread more easily when foliage is wet. ‘Memorial Day’ is a hybrid tea rose that is considered marginally hardy in our zone 6b, but it has such an amazing huge flower and fantastic fragrance that I have to give it a try. Memorial Day is traditionally the time when it is considered safe to plant annuals outdoors, since we can usually count on the final week of May as being past the “last danger of frost” for our hardiness zone. The cold temperatures we have had during this week are a reminder that occasionally there can be a frost in May. While we are all eager to plant the wonderful long-blooming annuals in our gardens, and if you wait too long the prettiest new varieties are likely to be sold out, it may be practical to put most of these tender species in containers so they can be brought indoors at night if the weather turns cold. If that is not possible and they need to be in the ground, they can be protected from frost by covering them with a sheet or blanket, or with row covers specially made to insulate tender vegetables and ornamental annuals against cold air temperatures. Petunias are among the bestknown annuals, with their colorful flowers. Breeders have continually introduced new varieties with increasing color variations and patterns. When searching for interesting flower combinations for patriotic Memorial Day containers and gardens, petunias can be great choices. ‘Splash Dance Moon This pale pink hybrid tea rose — called ‘Memorial Day’ — has huge pale pink blossoms and a deep fragrance. A group of yellow bearded irises are in bud around it. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Walk’ is a fun dark purple petunia with scattered small white speckles, and with true blue flowers being scarce, purple has often been used as a contrasting third color with red and white flowers. There are several similar cultivars with dark background colors, including ‘Night Sky,’ ‘Headliner Electric Purple Sky’ and ‘Headliner Strawberry Sky,’ with a nearly red background. Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs, as well as perennials. She is a member of the Saugus Garden Club and offered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town” shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired after seeing so many people taking up walking.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 11 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 8 tinue to inject their groups with purpose and class while increasing the numbers of participants,” Joyce concluded. 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 a photo. Saugus United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. Legion Breakfasts today The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus resumed the 2024-25 breakfast season and will continue until the final breakfast on Friday, May 30. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free. American Legion Blood Drive This just in from John Macauda, Commander at the American Legion Post 210 in Saugus. “Last year you were gracious enough to include a notice for our annual memorial blood drive under The Sounds of Saugus. We have another one coming up on Saturday, June 7th. “If you can do it again for us, we would greatly appreciate it. If you have any questions, please contact me either by email or my cell 978-835-4566.” Following is the information for this year’s Blood Drive: • Organized in Memory of Cpl. Scott Procopio and Capt. William G. Shoemaker • Place: American Legion Post 210. • Address: 44 Taylor St., Saugus. • Date: Saturday, June 7, A CITATION FROM SELECTMEN: Alex Pappagallo (center, holding his award-winning poster) was a special guest of the Board of Selectmen at this week’s meeting (Tuesday, May 20). He won an honorable mention for his PSA poster design for the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) 2025. • Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Please call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Saugus community to schedule an appointment. Visitor Services available at Saugus Iron Works The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site has begun its “visitors’ services,” marking the opening of restrooms and the museum. This is the expected schedule of tours for the summer: Wednesday–Sunday at 11 a.m., house tours, 1/2 hour; Wednesday–Sunday at 2 p.m., industrial site tours, which will include waterwheel demonstrations when staffing permits. On Fridays and Saturdays only, there will also be a 10 a.m. waterwheel demonstration. Visitors’ services will end on Oct. 31. Nice and Easy Hikes at Breakheart On May 24 and 31, from 9:30– 11:30 a.m., join the Park Interpreter for the weekly guided hike at Breakheart Reservation. Each trip will highlight natural and historic features that make Breakheart unique. Hikes will be moderately paced and range from two to three miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain; best for ages eight years and up. Meet at the Visitors Center (177 Forest St., Saugus). Heavy rain cancels the event. Saugus Sachems Summer Track Camp 2025 Coach Christopher Tarantino – also known affectionately as “Coach T” – has announced plans for his Summer Track Camp. Registration will get underway soon. “This vibrant program, now in its 20th year, is where student athletes from a wide range of ages come together to listen well, work hard, and have fun!” Coach T said in an email. Track Camp runners will be guided by Coach Tarantino, his coaches, counselors and alumni, as well as current middle and high school track team members. “Participants work on social and team building skills, as well as setting individual and team goals, all while learning the fundamentals and or the advanced techniques of this dynamic sport, track and field,” Coach T said. Here’s a summary of what interested kids and their parents need to know. Who: five to 18 years old. Where: Belmonte Track. When: 6-8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. June 23-27 – final registration week/returning athlete training week June 30-July 4 – first formal July 19 – Summer Showdown in Cranston, R.I. July 23 – Wrap up Cost: $300 first year ($250 if registered by June 1), $200 returning with uniform, $150 if three years or more in summer program; includes pasta dinner, t-shirt, uniform and entry into Summer Showdown. For any questions, further in50 formation or to register, please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino (Coach T) at 781854-6778 or christophertarantino24@gmail.com Conversation Circle at the Saugus Public Library Would you like to practice speaking English in a comfortable and supportive environment? Intended for intermediate and advanced-level speakers of English to practice speaking in an informal setting, the Conversation Circle promotes speaking and listening in English. It improves fluency and confidence. This group will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month in May and June 2025: Tuesday, May 27, Tuesday, June 10, Tuesday, June 24. If there is enough interest, additional dates will be scheduled. There is no cost for this program. Walk-ins are welcome. AWARD-WINNING ART: Here’s the poster by Alex Pappagallo that received high praise from the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth. Selectmen had it on display at this week’s meeting. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Buy-A-Brick for a veteran The Saugus War Monument Committee, once again, is sponsoring the Buy-A-Brick Program to honor all those who have served their country. If you would like to purchase one in the name of someone who is presently serving or has served, in the memory of a loved one, or just someone from your family, school, etc., the general pricing is $100 for a 4” x 8” brick (three lines) or $200 for a 8” x 8” brick (five lines). Each line has a maximum of 15 characters. The improvement and upkeep of the monument on the corner of Winter and Central Streets rely on the generosity of donors through fundraising. The brick application must be in by September 10 to ensure the bricks will be ready for Veterans Day. Please contact Corinne Riley at 781-2317995 for more information and applications. THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15
Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Colorful flowers and bird books highlighted Saugus Garden Club Annual Fundraiser By Tara Vocino P eople brought home colorful flowers and a variety of books from raffle prizes from Wednesday’s Saugus Garden Club Annual Fundraiser at Saugus Town Hall. Master flower show judge Kathy Leva was the keynote speaker. Joyce Rodenhiser bid $20 on this cheerful statice and roses arrangement. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Happy 30th wedding anniversary: Patty and Frank Papineau celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary by bidding on these $15 iris and $19 mixed bouquet. They also won a plant encyclopedia as a raffle prize. Her favorite perfume is lavender. Happy birthday: Saugus Garden Club Co-Presidents Donna Manoogian, 80, and Lorraine DiMilla, 90 — both 46-year members — celebrated their birthdays with flowers and desserts. Saugus Garden Club member Karen Speziale said she had her eye on this watering can with lavender that she later won as a raffle prize. Saugus Garden Club Treasurer Randy-Sue Abber bid $12 on this floral arrangement. Saugus High School Environmental Club juniors Zenera Shahu and Bella Vasi helped to distribute the raffle prizes. Town Meeting Precinct 1 member Stacey Herman-Dorant (on right) bid on this $20 bright floral arrangement, and Town Meeting Precinct 6 member Karen Rakinic also bid on flowers. Master flower show judge Kathy Leva was the keynote speaker. (Courtesy photo of Debra Panetta) Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta was the auctioneer during Wednesday’s Saugus Garden Club Annual Fundraiser at Saugus Town Hall. Maureen Pincaro said she never wins anything as she won this geranium plant as a raffle prize. Sandy Mears will give the “Smithsonian Birds of North America” book that she won as a raffle prize to her husband, Raymond.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 13 A patriotic ride through Saugus Editor’s Note: Saugus photographer and occasional Saugus Advocate contributor was on hand last Sunday to capture hundreds of motorcyclists and other vehicles from those who participated in 14th Annual Boston Wounded Vet Run Motorcycle Ride. “It was a great day for the Wounded Warriors Bike Run here in Saugus,” he said. The purpose of the event was to support two veterans who were severely wounded in Afghanistan. (Courtesy Photos of Charles Zapolski) A Saugus police cruiser led a motorcycling unit from the Everett Police Department down Central Street. A crowd of motorcyclists headed up Central Street after passing Veterans Park. Members of the Saugus Fire Department awaited the long procession of motorcyclists. One participant carried the American flag on his motorcycle. The procession passes Park Press Printers while going up Main Street.
TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 1 Page 14 man Michael Serino. “All we’ve seen is expenditures that we’ve been paying for. Lawsuits, expenditures and time and effort. The amount of time that department heads, the town manager have spent on marijuana has been huge,” she said. “In closing, I think Saugus should focus on the two establishments that were given S-2 permits, and not look to bring a third, a fourth, a fifth marijuana establishment into our town. We need to stop the bleeding and stop the lawsuits. There is no public need to have three marijuana establishments in town,” she said. Town Meeting followed the recommendation of the Planning Board, which voted unanimously to recommend passage of Article 21. “When Town Meeting made a mistake” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian recalled frequent conversations he’s had over the years with Town Counsel John J. Vasapolli, who would raise the question “When have you ever seen Town Meeting make a mistake?” “I think when we went against the wishes of the voters that said ‘no,’ they didn’t want marijuana in Saugus. I think Town Meeting did go against the wishes of the voters and did make a mistake,” Manoogian told his colleagues. Manoogian was referring to the 2016 state election when voters statewide approved Question 4 by a 54 percent margin, allowing the possession, use, distribution and cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana by persons ages 21 and older. But Saugus residents voted 7,652-6,710 – 53 percent – against the measure. The Annual Town Meeting voted unanimously in 2018 for an article that banned the operation of any marijuana retail establishments in town. Four years later, members voted 31-13 (with five members absent) for Article 36 – an amendment to the town’s Zoning Bylaws to allow for marijuana establishments in town. “Yes, Mr. Town Counsel, I have seen the time when Town Meeting made a mistake and this was it. I hope this puts an end to the THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Saugus all the way up to the New Hampshire border,” Seribleeding,” Manoogian said. “You just voted a budget last week that shows you had to put more money into the legal department to defend us [against litigation initiated by companies fighting to open marijuana establishments in town],” Manoogian reminded Town Meeting members. Manoogian recalled when companies were making their case for marijuana facilities in Saugus, promising all sorts of benefits for the town. “We had a PowerPoint presentation showing all of the parks and playgrounds and the conditions that they were in. And the nexus was made between adopting marijuana for Saugus and rehabilitating our parks and playgrounds,” Manoogian said. “Never has so much been spent in money and time to gain so little,” he said, recalling “Those that complained about the town manager supposedly dragging his feet on the west side fire station or rebuilding the parks and playgrounds.” “He was spending time working with this MERC [Marijuana Establishment Review Committee] on planning out and following the regs on marijuana – how to establish it,” Manoogian said. Essentially, the town manager wasted invaluable time on preparing Saugus for the marijuana business, diverting attention from more important town projects, according to Manoogian. Meanwhile, several companies vying for marijuana business in Saugus filed lawsuits against the town “There’s still lawsuits on marijuana and we haven’t seen a red cent,” Manoogian said. “Nothing went into the parks and playgrounds that were on that PowerPoint that night. So, let this be a lesson for us. Few communities benefit Selectman Serino, like Manoogian, has been advocating for town officials to follow the sentiment of Saugus voters when it comes to the pot shop business. Serino cited his personal analysis, using state Department of Revenue data, to determine whether surrounding companies have benefited from the retail marijuana business. “I analyzed all of the surrounding communities, from no said. “And out of nine cities and towns that sell it, from 2022 to 2024, six out of the nine have lost revenue. And only three, usually cities, improved their revenue very slightly. So, the revenue isn’t there,” he said. If the Board of Selectmen issues additional S-2 permits for retail marijuana dispensaries, it wouldn’t help the town, Serino concluded. “You’re not going to see any significant increase,” he said, adding that the two current license holders would wind up sharing with additional companies. The licenses for marijuana dispensaries are based on how many package stores the town licenses. Currently, Saugus has 12 that allow beer and wine sales. The number of marijuana dispensaries Saugus can have is based on 20 percent of the 12 package stores, according to Serino. “That comes out to 2.4 percent,” he said. “It’s my understanding that we’re being sued for a third license, which we don’t have. I think it’s important that taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for legal fees for these establishments that want to sue, sue, sue. We need to protect the town,” Serino said. Serino said he’s concerned that the state legislature could change the law to allow more than 20 percent based on the package stores. Panetta noted that changes in state law have already cancelled out benefits to communities that host marijuana dispensaries. “In 2022, there was a state law requiring all municipalities to document and justify these impact fees, linking them to actual costs imposed by the cannabis business,” Panetta said. “I’m sure many of you read that Boston and other communities had to pay back cannabis places because they could not justify what they would be charging, which was up to 3 percent of gross income. They couldn’t justify it and had to give it back,” she said. “I think this is especially important for our town since a third dispensary on Route 1 – that’s the only place we could put it – would not add to any additional impact fee revenue for the town. So, why are we going to have a third dispensary in our town?” A need to act now There was no dissent expressed during the discussion of Article 21. Some members agreed there was an urgency for the town to take protective measures. “We need to get these things done,” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Martin Costello said in support of limiting marijuana establishments to two. “We stop the litigation. We don’t have expansion where there will be lounges there and people can go in and get ‘high’ and get in their cars and go on Route 1, because there’s already a horror show out there now,” Costello said. Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo expressed gratitude to Panetta and Serino for introducing the article. “I just want to say ‘thank you’ to Deb and Mike because you kept this out of our neighborhoods,” Bartolo said. “And if we have to have it, I can handle Route 1. But you kept it out of our neighborhoods and our squares. And I want to thank you,” she said. Precinct 8 Town Meeting Member Kristi Talagan, who owns a business that works as a compliance trainer for the state Cannabis Control Commission, said she agreed that limiting the number of retail marijuana dispensaries to two was the proper action. “They are not doing well – some of these businesses,” Talagan said. “And yes, we’ve lost the wave of revenue. In the beginning, there was a lot of revenue to have with the cannabis businesses. But at this point, they’ve [the state] changed the regulations,” she said. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how long it will take for Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree to negotiate host agreements for the two businesses that received S-2 special permits from the Board of Selectmen. Issuance of the S-2 permits has been polarizing for the Board of Selectmen in recent years and spurred political sparring during the campaign for selectmen two years ago. Sanctuary Medicinals – one of seven applicants seeking to locate a retail marijuana dispensary in Saugus – was the only one left standing after a hearing in December of 2023. After denying the requests of five other candidates for a S-2 special permit under town zoning bylaws, selectmen voted 4-0 to issue one of three available S-2 permits. Sanctuary Medicinals has submitted plans to build its dispensary at 181 Broadway, site of the former 99 Restaurant. Uma Flowers, LLC, with a proposed location at 24 Broadway (Route 1 North) – the site of a former house that was torn down – was the unanimous selection of the seven-member MERC, achieving a perfect score of 140 total points, based on an “exceptional” rating by each member in each of the five categories that were considered. But Uma Flowers could only muster three of the selectmen’s four votes for the issuance of an S-2 permit. Selectman Anthony Cogliano, who has been an outspoken critic of the MERC report and its ranking of Uma Flowers with a perfect score, cast the lone vote against Uma Flowers. “I don’t believe it’s in the top three locations,” Cogliano said. Uma later sued the Board of Selectmen and alleged in a complaint filed against the town and the Board of Selectmen in state Land Court that then-Board of Selectmen Chair Cogliano “appeared to act with bias against Uma and in favor of Bostica,” another company competing for an S-2 permit. During a court hearing, Cogliano admitted that he enjoyed a personal friendship for 30 years with Raymond Falite, Bostica’s manager. Last December, Judge Michael D. Vhay issued a judgement in favor of Uma Flowers against selectmen on one of the four counts and ordered that the Board of Selectmen’s 3-1 vote be annulled and the case be returned to selectmen for further proceedings. “The amount of time and effort spent on bringing marijuana into Saugus has been substantial,” Panetta said. “We have spent 10s of thousands of dollars in lawsuits, and the town is still in a lawsuit with one of the establishments that were not granted a marijuana license,” she said. “The two establishments voted on got the best ratings overall from the MERC Committee and were the only two establishments that were recommended.”
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 15 OBITUARIES George J. Cavalieri O f Saugus, formerly of Peabody. Died on Sunday, May 18th at the Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living in Peabody at the age of 74. Born in Boston and raised in West Roxbury, Mr. Cavalieri was the son of the late Joseph and Luci T. (Papasso) Cavalieri. George was a graduate of Bentley University and was a bus driver for the MBTA SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 11 C.H.a.R.M. Center is open The Town of Saugus Solid Waste/Recycling Department announced that the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (C.H.a.R.M.) has opened for the season, with normal operational hours of Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The C.H.a.R.M. Center is located at 515 Main St., Saugus, behind the Saugus Department of Public Works. Residents are welcome to use the C.H.a.R.M. Center for their recycling needs. Saugus was the first municipality in Massachusetts to open a C.H.a.R.M. Center. The C.H.a.R.M. Center accepts the following items at no cost to residents: • Bottles and cans • Paper and cardboard • Scrap metal • Shoes, clothes and other textiles • Fluorescent light bulbs and batteries (button and rechargeable) Residents are also permitted the free disposal of three TVs or computers/CRT monitors per household each year at the C.H.a.R.M. Center. Residents can obtain new stickers for this year free for 30 years out of the Bennett Street Garage. He enjoyed spending time with his bowling league at the Metro Bowl in Peabody for many years. Mr. Cavalieri is survived by his daughter, Desiree Cavalieri-Moon and her husband Raymond of Saugus; his granddaughter, Grace; two brothers, Peter Cavalieri of Franklin and John Cavalieri of Plainville; his sister, Marie Cherry of Norwood; his uncle Salvatore Papasso and his wife Ortenzia of Walpole; as well as many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends were invited to attend a visitation in the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, Saugus on Wednesday May 21. A funeral service was held in the funeral home on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Mass. at alz.org/manh. of charge when visiting the C.H.a.R.M. Center. By purchasing a $25 sticker that is valid for the entirety of the season, residents will be permitted to dispose of yard waste and brush at the C.H.a.R.M. Center. The $25 sticker also covers the cost to dispose of hard/rigid plastics at the facility. The C.H.a.R.M. Center accepts CHECKS ONLY, no cash or cards. Please note that the C.H.a.R.M. Center does not accept any household trash or construction materials and debris. The Town of Saugus reserves the right to refuse any material if quantity or quality is questionable. Go to https://www.saugus-ma.gov/solid-waste-recycling-department and click on “Recycling Guide” for a comprehensive list of items that are accepted or not accepted at the C.H.a.R.M. Center, in addition to guidelines for how to prepare different items for disposal at the facility. The C.H.a.R.M. Center will remain open on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the season until the winter. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781231-4036 with any questions. Saugus High Class of 1980 Attention, Saugus High Class Margaret “Peggy” (Perkins) Gibbs gy was a lifelong parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Saugus. She was a proud member of Eastern Star Tontoquon Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Red Hat Society. Peggy devoted her life to O f Saugus. Passed peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 14th at the age of 81. Born in Winthrop and a lifelong resident of Saugus, Peggy was the daughter of the late Ralph W. and Laura V. (Richardson) Perkins. A graduate of the Saugus High Class of ’61, Pegof 1980. Mark your calendars for Nov. 29 (Saturday after Thanksgiving) and reach out to your friends that you’d like to see at the 45th Class Reunion for 1980 graduates and friends. The reunion will be held that day from 1 to 6 p.m. inside the Saugus Elks. Invite Saugus High friends from other classes that you may want to be at our 1980 Class Reunion. Our last Saugus Class BBQ event a couple of years ago had three sisters from three different classes attend and they had a blast – so many loved seeing them and appreciated them being there. So many old friends reconnecting after decades; friends from overseas and across the country came; Saugus Classmates that left in Jr. High and that went to other High Schools came. How special it was for so many people to see each other after over 40 years. Reach out to your friends who are not on Facebook to give them some early notice in case they may want to attend and need to make travel plans. Some of our Classmates have kept in touch with some of our High School teachers, and they attended our last two Saugus High Reunion events – caring for others, first as a CNA at Rockledge Manor of Nahant. Then for many years as a Service Tech and manager at Union Hospital, Winchester Hospital, Salem and Beverly Hospitals in the Central Services Department. Peggy is survived by her children, Marion V. (Gibbs) Desmond of E. Wareham, Lorraine A. (Gibbs) Ladderbush and her husband Richard “Randy” of Saugus, Ralph E. Gibbs and his wife Carolyn (Linnett) of Saugus; five grandsons, Corey Ladderbush and his wife Bianca of Peabody, Christian Gibbs, Tyler Ladderbush, Nathan we hope they’ll join us again. Feel free to reach out to any of your favorite teachers that you may want there – I’m sure they would love to hear from you. More information is forthcoming. Any questions, please feel free to reach out to Andrea or Pete: Andrea Saunders (1980 Class President) can be reached at paulgreens@aol.com or 978482-5787. Pete Nicolo can be reached PSNicolo2533@comcast.net or 978-815-8234. About The Saugus Advocate We welcome press releases, BUDGET | FROM PAGE 3 single source funding,” DePatto told Town Meeting members. Town Meeting members voted 38-3 to approve the FY 2026 operating budget, which totaled $119.5 million – including $34.8 million for the School Department. The total Municipal Department budgets add up to $84.8 million. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Members Parlante and Robert J. Camuso, Sr. and Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ron Wallace voted against Article 2. “We’ll do what we need to do to make things work,” said Hashem when asked by Selectman Anthony Cogliano whether he thought the schools could function on the approved budget. “It’s not ideal,” he said. There will be no Town Meeting session next Monday, which is the Memorial Day holiday (May 26). Members will meet again on June 2 for the third and final Special Town Meeting. Gibbs and William Gibbs all of Saugus; and two amazing great-grandchildren, Autumn and Zachary. She also leaves behind her 70-year best friend Dale Coogan of Saugus. The family would like to acknowledge Compassionate Care Hospice for the amazing care, kindness and love they showed our mom during her last year of life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Peggy’s memory to Compassionate Care Hospice, 800 W. Cummings Park, Suite 3100, Woburn, MA 01801. Relatives and friends were invited to attend visiting hours in the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, Saugus on Tuesday, May 20. A funeral service was held in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 8 Prospect St., Saugus on Wednesday. Interment in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Arlington. news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is 6 p.m. on Tuesday. If you have a story idea, an article or a photo to submit, please email me at mvoge@ comcast.net or leave a message at 978-683-7773. Or send your press release to me in the mail at PO Box 485, North Andover, MA 01845. Let us become your hometown newspaper. The Saugus Advocate is available in the Saugus Public Library, the Saugus Senior Center, Saugus Town Hall, local convenience stores and restaurants throughout town.
Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSterList will be e-mailed to By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 30,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Division Docket No. ES25P1264EA Estate of: ROSEMARIE EDITH CONTRADA Date of Death: 09/15/2024 INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Dina R. Cater of Saugus, MA a Will has been admitted to informal probate. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under formal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner. May 23, 2025 J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. you FREE every Monday through Saturday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: www.massterlist.com THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from recent House sessions debating the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 House version of the state budget. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. CONSOLIDATED HOUSING, JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAETY AMENDMENT (H 4000) House 154-2, approved a consolidated amendment adding $10.5 million in funding to Housing, Judiciary and Public Safety programs in the $61.47 billion fi scal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts. “This amendment underscores our values by investing in a wide range of housing line items that will help keep our residents housed, support our public housing authorities and provide tools to help residents during transitional times,” said Rep. Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), House chair of the Housing Committee. 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 “Housing is a huge component to our state’s long-term economic success and making sure people have a safe, aff ordable place to live is critically important.” Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) and Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick), the only two members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes CONSOLIDATED ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT (H 4000) House 154-3, approved a consolidated amendment adding $5.8 million in funding to Energy, Environmental and Food Assistance programs in the $61.47 billion fi scal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts. “[The amendment] makes important investments in the environment, including over $85 million for the Department of Environment Protection and over $160 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation to support clean water and our parks and natural resources,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville), House chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. “Funding for the Department of Energy Resources builds in a new line item to directly support the objectives of the Climate Bill without adding to assessments that are passed on to the residents of the commonwealth.” Barber continued, “There are also significant investments in addressing food insecurity in the commonwealth - funding for Emergency Food Assistance is increased by $13 million to bring this line item to $55 million. In a time when the federal government is actively rolling back protections and damaging the environment, these fi nancial investments continue to protect the commonwealth’s invaluable natural resources, coastlines and waterways, open spaces, wildlife and recreation areas and extend our imperative to address the urgency of climate change.” Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) and John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only three members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes CONSOLIDATED LABOR AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT (H 4000) House 154-3, approved a consolidated amendment adding $25 million in funding to Labor and Economic Development programs in the $61.47 billion fi scal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local BEACON | SEE PAGE 17 ~ School Bus Drivers Wanted ~ 7D Licensed School Bus Drivers Malden Trans is looking for reliable drivers for the new school year. We provide ongoing training and support for licensing requirements. Applicant preferably lives local (Malden, Everett, Revere). Part-time positions available and based on AM & PM school hours....15-30 hours per week. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! If interested, please call David @ 781-322-9401. CDL SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WANTED Compensation: $28/hour School bus transportation company seeking active CDL drivers who live LOCALLY (Malden, Everett, Chelsea and immediate surrounding communities). - Applicant MUST have BOTH S and P endorsements as well as Massachusetts school bus certificate. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! - Part-time hours, BUT GUARANTEED 20-35 HOURS PER WEEK depending on experience. 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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 districts. “The amendment demonstrates the commitment the House has in investing in local economic development projects and supports the many amazing programs in our communities,” said Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), House chair of the Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee. “Along with the rest of the budget, these investments make a big impact for our constituents.” Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick and John Gaskey (R-Carver) the only three members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL DURING THE RECENT BUDGET DEBATE IN THE HOUSE, WHY WERE THERE NO TRANSPARENT ROLL CALL VOTES ON FIVE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO REDUCE TAXES IN MASSACHUSETTS? - The ongoing feud between House Republican Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) intensified during the House budget debate last week. Back in January, Jones defeated Lombardo for the post of minority leader. Jones garnered 19 votes to Lombardo’s five votes. And since then, things have only gotten worse between the two. Lombardo says that during last week’s budget debate, Jones worked with the Democrats to block roll call votes on several tax cuts proposed by Lombardo. Jones denies that charge. Lombardo requested that the House hold roll call votes on five of his proposed budget amendments – all of which would reduce taxes in the Bay State. The five tax cuts were reducing the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 5 percent; reducing the income tax from 5 percent to 4.5 percent; eliminating the income tax on tips; eliminating the income tax on overtime; and removing the marriage penalty for the Millionaire’s Tax. Lombardo knew that he didn’t have sufficient votes to pass the amendments but wanted to have roll calls on them in order to promote transparency and to put the votes of the Democrats on record as being against tax reductions. House rules require that in order to force a roll call vote, 16 members must request that a roll call be held. It works like this: The speaker announces that “Rep. Lombardo has requested a roll call vote. Those joining him will rise and be counted.” If at least 16 members stand up, a roll call is held. This has been done many times by the Republicans over the years. The GOP tries to force a roll call vote to get Democrats on the record on measures the Republicans believe are popular but are likely to get shot down by the Legislature’s Democratic supermajority. Most times they are successful and get 16 or more members to stand up. But not this time. The current 158-member House (two seats are vacant) has 132 Democrats, 25 Republicans and one unenrolled member. Neither the unenrolled member nor any of the Democrats stood to request a roll call vote on Lombardo’s amendments. Lombardo never received the 16 standing votes necessary to require the roll call votes. Instead, the amendments were defeated on unrecorded voice votes which don’t reveal how individual representatives voted. Lombardo says that in addition to himself, only six other representatives, all Republicans, stood to request a roll call vote on all five amendments. They are Reps. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick); John Gaskey (R-Carver); Joseph McKenna (R-Sutton); Kelly Pease (R-Westfield); Kenneth Sweezey (R-Hanson); and Justin Thurber (R-Somerset). There was some talk that members did not know what day or time Lombardo’s amendments would be considered. However, Beacon Hill Roll Call’s research shows that House rules provide that amendments reducing or increasing taxes must be considered at the beginning of the debate on the budget. The rule was followed, and debate on Lombardo’s amendments began at around 11:35 a.m., on Monday, April 28, the first day of budget debate, shortly after opening remarks about the budget. This timeline means that all members should have been aware Lombardo’s amendments would be considered around that time – thus allowing members to make plans to be in the chamber around that time and to stand up to request roll call votes if they chose to. Lombardo told Beacon Hill Roll Call, “Manager of the Republican Caucus, Brad Jones directed his lieutenants to remove themselves and caucus members from the chamber or refuse to stand in support of roll call votes on critical tax relief measures. Jones conspired with the Democrats, something I personally witnessed, to protect them from having to be recorded on these important roll calls. In exchange for his service to the majority party, Jones received $250,000 in earmarks [in the pending state budget for projects in his district].” Lombardo continued, “For 30 years, Brad Jones has sabotaged the Republican Party, its candidates and, most importantly, the taxpayers of Massachusetts. When the head of the House GOP conspires with Democrats to block roll calls on tax cuts, it is nothing short of a betrayal of the taxpayers. Brad Jones has been institutionalized. His loyalty is to the uni-party on Beacon Hill and not to taxpayers who so desperately need a strong opposition voice in the Statehouse.” Lombardo elaborated to Beacon Hill Roll Call about the $250,000 in earmarks that he said Jones received. He pointed to an amendment which included earmarks for many members’ districts including $250,000 for North Reading, Reading, Middleton and Lynnfield -- all of which are in Jones’ district. Lombardo said that the category in which the $250,000 was listed was Labor and Economic Development but noted that none of Jones’ earmarks fit that category. Lombardo contends that the $250.000 was inappropriately rushed into that category at the last minute to reward Jones for preventing roll calls on the tax reduction amendments. “How could that one-off recategorization happen?” asked Lombardo. “Wouldn’t it require cooperation from Ways and Means to do this unique maneuver? Would it benefit the Republican leader, who was under scrutiny for his collaboration with the Democrats, to not have earmarks awarded along the way and push it to the end in hopes of less attention. It’s not rocket science to figure out what happened.” Jones’ supporters say the charge that Jones received $250,000 in earmarks in exchange for preventing roll calls on Lombardo’s amendments is unfounded. They note that for years, including this year, many representatives have gotten money, earmarked for their districts, in the state budget. Beacon Hill Roll Call set out to find out if any of the other GOP members, besides Reps. Boldyga, Gaskey, McKenna, Pease, Sweezey and Thurber, were in the House chamber during the standing votes on requiring a roll call on Lombardo’s amendments. Beacon Hill Roll Call e-mailed each of these remaining 17 Republicans twice asking them if they were in fact in the chamber during those standing votes; if not, why not; if they were in the chamber, did they stand up to request a roll call vote; and if not, why didn’t they do so? Rep. Dave DeCoste (R-Norwell) was one of only two members who responded. Decoste’s first response to Beacon Hill Roll Call on May 2 was that he didn’t remember if he was in the chamber for those standing votes. Two days later, on May 4th, he revised his response and said that “having read the articles since our last correspondence, I was there for those particular votes.” In both responses he said that he has always stood to request a roll call every time it was requested by any member since he first took office in 2019. The other representative who responded was Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn), who serves as part of Jones’ leadership team. He told Beacon Hill Roll Call, “No one directed anyone to not stand or not be in the chamber. Rep. Lombardo has failed to attend caucus meetings to discuss his initiatives, and many members have grown tired of his antics in attacking fellow Republican caucus members on social media and in the media. He has shown he is not interested in helping the GOP House BEACON | SEE PAGE 18 - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES25P1454EA Estate of: LETICIA ISELA GALDAMEZ Also known as: LETICIA I. GALDAMEZ Date of Death: 12/13/2025 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by German E. Galdamez of Saugus, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: German E. Galdamez of Saugus, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 06/16/2025. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: May 14, 2025 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE May 23, 2025
Page 18 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 Caucus and needs to look in the mirror when caucus members may not be inclined to back him. I would also point out there were roll call requests we did not get because Rep. Lombardo wasn’t in the chamber himself.” Lombardo denied that he wasn’t in the chamber to request roll call votes on any of Jones’ amendments. He said, “Even after Jones coordinated to ensure no roll calls [on my amendments], I stood for his request for roll calls immediately after.” Lombardo continued in response to Frost’s criticism. “I would note that I e-mailed the entire [Republican] caucus Sunday night telling them of my amendments and request for roll calls,” Lombardo said. “I wasn’t at [the Republican caucus] as I was hosting three Billerica High School State Championship teams. Paul Frost is paid handsomely to blindly defend Republican Manager Jones. Both are truly institutionalized and work for the uni-party. I wish him luck as he goes back to his district and explains his vote in favor of a $5 million legal defense fund for illegal immigrants.” There were 15 GOP members who did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call. They are Reps. Donald Berthiaume (R- Spencer); Michael Chaisson (R-Foxboro); Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden); Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk); Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury); John Marsi (R-Dudley); David Muradian (R-Grafton); Norman Orrall (R-Lakeville); Todd Smola (R-Warren); Michael Soter (R-Bellingham); Alyson Sullivan-Almeida (R-Abington); Marcus Vaughn (R-Wrentham); David Vieira (R-Falmouth); Donald Wong (R-Saugus); and Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). Jones himself did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call’s request to comment on the entire situation. However, he spoke to reporters following the incident. “I’m not going to go waste my time working with people who just want to kick me,” said Jones. “It’s kind of human nature. It’s not Republican, not Democrat … it’s just human nature. [Rep. Lombardo] is obviously still hurting over the fact that he got smoked [in the election for minority leader].” Jones noted that in January he appointed Lombardo and Lombardo supporter Rep. Nick Boldyga to the Revenue Committee because he knew taxes were an “important issue to them, as evidenced by the amendments that they filed.” “They’ve never shown up to the Revenue Committee, as has been told to me by both my staff as well as others,” Jones said. “I think there’s also an element within the caucus that, I will say includes me, that you’ve seen some of the tweets and X comments both during the leadership fight and since then that, I think, frankly, people are tired of and don’t think it’s particularly productive and constructive.” Lombardo responded, “Jones is upset that he has been exposed as an institutionalized member who serves the Beacon Hill machine and not the taxpayers and he’ll say anything to distract from that truth being understood by the public. Jones failed to act like the Republican leader by holding the Democrats accountable for roll calls on important tax policy, received immediate backlash from the public, and is desperately trying to justify his conspiring with the Democrats.” HIRING FREEZE - Gov. Maura Healey announced that she will be implementing a hiring freeze across the Executive Branch, beMEMORIAL DAY | FROM PAGE 2 ibles recruited by Guy Moley, the man behind local charity car shows. WIN Waste Innovations, with their new electric trash truck, will be leading the parade, according to Castinetti. “They [WIN] are our major sponsor, and they help keep this parade alive every year,” Castinetti said. “We want to thank them for their continued contribution,” he said. Other highlights of this year’s parade and ceremony include: • Saugus residents who are unable to get down to watch the parade in person can listen to it live on the radio. WMEX 1510 AM out of Quincy will broadcast the parade and ceremony at Riverside Cemetery for the second consecutive year. • Todd Angilly, the voice of the National Anthem for Boston Bruins hockey games, will sing at the cemetery ceremony. • Four Junior ROTC units will participate: Lynn English High School, Beverly High School, Peabody High School and Salem High School. • Saugus TV Studio Associate John Prudent has again preTHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 ginning May 27, in response to “widespread economic uncertainty at the national level and a tightening state budget outlook for fiscal year 2026.” The Healey Administration said that the hiring freeze will apply to all Executive Branch agencies and departments and there will be no formal waiver process. However, consistent with common practice during past hiring freezes, exemptions will be made for certain positions, including public safety officers and direct care providers. “The people of Massachusetts expect us to protect and maximize their tax dollars and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Gov. Healey. “Tariffs and funding cuts from Washington are causing so much economic damage and instability. We are taking this step to prepare for more uncertain economic times, protect taxpayer dollars and move our state forward while ensuring funding will be available for the vital services people need.” “As we navigate the close of fiscal year 2025 and prepare for the start of the new fiscal year in July, the governor’s action to implement a hiring freeze across the executive branch will give us added flexibility in the budget to respond and react to unforeseen program needs and other deficiencies that may arise,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. “Our uncertain economic future in fiscal year 2026 has been made less predictable by the threat of federal funding cuts and recent market upheaval. While we hope for the best, it is both prudent and responsible to be prepared and take control of what we can now.” The Republican State Committee responded and released a statement saying that In January 2024, Gov. Healey gave each of pared a special Memorial Day video capturing Saugus veterans, which will be displayed on the truck during the parade. There will also be a special video played later in the cemetery. • The Saugus High School her 12 cabinet members a $15,000 pay hike, at the same time slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from elsewhere in the state budget. They noted that those cuts hit services for seniors, homeless shelters and local earmarks. “One year ago, Maura Healey used the winter holiday break to play Santa, dumping the news that she’s rewarding the good little boys and girls of her administration with pay raises for their ‘tireless’ work ethic,” said MassGOP Executive Director John Milligan. “She hopes her tone deaf pay hikes for political friends go unnoticed when she can’t make ends meet in her budget without more taxes, but the MassGOP won’t let voters forget what she likes to do with their money when she has extra cash to play with.” SWITCH SCHOOL BUSES FROM DIESEL TO ELECTRIC (S 2241) – The Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee held a hearing on a bill that would establish a grant program run by the Department of Energy Resources to help cities and towns offset the cost difference between buying zero-emission electric school buses and traditional diesel-powered ones. The grant program would prioritize support for communities in which the median household income is below the state’s median income or where the 5-year average rate of emergency department visits for childhood asthmas is greater than the state’s 5-year average rate. “Most of our school busses still run on diesel, which pollutes the air, contributes to climate change, and exposes children to harmful emissions every day, especially when buses idle outside schools,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “While zero-emission buses are more expensive up front, this legislation Marching Band and the McGann Marching Band will be in the parade. • The Stuart Highlanders Pipe Band, of Wilmington, will be leading the veterans marchers. • There will be several local organizations and clubs joinhelps close that gap so more communities can make the switch. It’s about giving every child access to safer, healthier transportation and making real progress toward cleaner air.” SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND HIV STATUS (H 776) – The Elder Affairs Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would amend current state law under which the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, signed by the late President Lyndon Johnson, offers social and nutrition services for seniors over 60 years old. Under current law, the state administers the Act using two definitions: “greatest economic need” and “greatest social need.” The bill would add sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status to the definition of “greatest social need.” Seniors within these groups would be eligible for aid from the government for food, disease prevention, community-based services, elder rights programs and other forms of assistance. “Our seniors deserve a safe and affirming environment regardless of HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “[The bill] is a critical step to include those in critical at-risk populations to be eligible for aide ensuring that the quality of care and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals is preserved and protected. We cannot rest on our laurels. These inequalities need to be addressed to end discriminatory practices and policies.” AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AIRS SEVEAL BILLS - The Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on several bills including: SAFETY OF FOOD AND FOOD BEACON | SEE PAGE 19 ing the parade with individual floats. The Broco Oil truck also plans to be part of the procession. • The Hingham Militia, dressed in period uniforms and accompanied by its rifle squad, will also participate.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 19 BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 ADDITIVES (H 113) – Would establish a 16-member Commission to Study the Safety of Food and Food Additives to investigate the health impacts of certain foods and food additives and propose policy and regulatory changes to enhance food safety in Massachusetts. The commission would include medical professionals, dietitians, food BEACON | SEE PAGE 20 PATRIOTS | FROM PAGE 4 Dan Cameron Missing in Pa529 PLANS AS AN ESTATE PLANNING VEHICLE O ne of the advantages of a Section 529 plan is that to the extent a parent or grandparent funds it, the monies then held in the 529 plan are not included in the estate of the parent or grandparent. Furthermore, the parent or grandparent would still maintain control over the account itself if they are the named Custodian of the account. In fact, the parent or grandparent has the right to ask for a return of the funds contributed to the 529 plan. A parent or grandparent can gift up to $19,000 per year per person without reducing the maximum federal estate tax/gift tax exemption amount (currently $13.9million for each taxpayer). Some parents or grandparents may be reluctant to make an irrevocable gift because they might feel they might need that money someday. A husband and wife can “split gift” and transfer $38,000 per year per individual. The $38,000 qualifies for the annual “tax free” per donee gift. Keep in mind Massachusetts does not have a gift tax. A taxpayer can gift as much as he or she wants to a child or grandchild and not be concerned about a Massachusetts gift tax. Therefore, a parent or grandparent can subsequently change his or her mind and take the money back. If that were to happen, then the monies taken back fall back into the “gross” estate of the parent or grandparent. In addition, any withdrawal not used for the beneficiary’s qualified education expenses subjects the “earnings” to income tax and a 10% penalty. One great feature of a 529 plan is that a parent or grandparent can “frontload” the contributions by gifting 5 years worth of the $19,000/donee/year taxfree gift exclusion amount, or $95,000, into a 529 plan for one son or grandson. If both parents or grandparents join in on the gift, the amount that can be funded each year into a 529 plan for each son or grandson then jumps to $190,000. If the parent or grandparent dies prior to the end of the five-year period, the contributions to the 529 plan allocated to the years after death would be included in their “gross” estate. The power of a Section 529 plan cannot be overestimated. Even if the estate is nowhere near the federal exemption amount, one might still stand to save a lot of money in Massachusetts estate taxes. The filing threshold is now $2million for taxpayers dying in Massachusetts on or after January 1, 2023. If someone were to die having a “gross” estate of $1,999,000, having previously gifted away to children and/or grandchildren to establish 529 plans $760,000 ($190,000 to each of 4 children and/ or grandchildren), an estate tax return would not have to be filed because you do not have to add back these “non taxable” gifts to the “gross” estate to determine if you have met the $2million threshold for filing a Massachusetts estate tax return. Therefore, you would not even have to pay any estate tax on the $1,999,000 remaining in your estate. In fact, even taxable gifts (i.e. gifts over the $19,000 per donee tax free gifts) do not have to be added back to your gross estate upon your death to determine if your gross estate exceeds $2million. The $19,000 annual gift allowance is simply not a “taxable” gift. It is a “tax free” gift and for federal estate tax purposes and does not reduce your $13.9million federal estate tax exemption. Once a Massachusetts estate tax return is required to be filed, only the excess over $2million is actually subject to tax as a result of the $199,600 tax credit provided by the state. That number is the Massachusetts estate tax on the first $2million of taxable estate. Joseph D. Ca taldo is an esta te planning/elder law a ttorney,Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. cific: Mr. Irving Cameron, father, received word that his son is missing in action in the Pacific area. Cameron was aboard a destroyer off Okinawa. His brother, Irving Jr., is a prisoner of war in Germany. Roy Buckless Survives L.S.T. Sinking: Seaman 1st Class Ray Buckless, 17, youngest of seven brothers in the armed forces, is home on leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Buckless, after surviving the sinking of the LST 447 off Okinawa last month. He entered the Navy on his 17th birthday. Brothers Killed in Italy: Two Saugus brothers, PFC John Kasabuski, 21, and SSgt. Walter Kasabuski, 24, of 49 Collins Ave., were mortally wounded the same day during the last month of hostilities in Italy. John was killed instantly and Walter died April 27. War Prisoner Two Years – Liberated: After two years in a German prison camp and still incapacitated by leg wounds sustained at the storming of Salerno in 1943, Pfc. Elbert J. Vickers, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Vickers, 37 Walden Pond Ave., cabled his parents and told them “not to worry and that he was well.” Pvt. Egan Home from German Prison Camp: Pfc. William Egan, 15 Baker St., taken prisoner on Dec. 19, is home on leave. His entire regiment was either killed or captured during the Battle of the Bulge. Prisoners marched for ten days with only one loaf of bread and a small amount of water to drink. Most of them suffered from frozen feet before the march was over. Pfc. MacCrae Killed by Bomb: Pfc. William MacCrae, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred MacCrae, of 66 Winter St., a prisoner of war since Nov. 1943, met his death in Stalag 4B on March 31 when American bombers accidentally blasted the camp, his parents have been informed. Sgt. Caffarella War Prisoner: Sgt. Edward Caffarella of 185 Essex St., a prisoner of war for four months, is home on a 60-days leave before reporting for a further assignment. Lt. McCullough Lost in Action over France: One of Greater Lynn’s outstanding airmen, First Lt. Phillip McCullough, 27, of Saugus Center, pilot of a fighter P-47 Thunderbolt and holder of the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster, is missing in action after a raid over France March 20. His parents have been notified by the War Department. Military Service for Lt. Daniels: Full military honors were held Wednesday for Lt. Laurence P. Daniels, U.S.M.C.R., who was killed in a plane crash on April 19. Edward Dow and John Penney Honored: Tech Fifth Grade Edward Dow, 52 Adams Ave., has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in Bougainville. Lt. Jack Penney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Penney, of 125 Howard St., has been awarded a Purple Heart and a gold Leaf Cluster for several injuries received at Normandy Beach. Four Saugus Brothers in Service: Four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew Ciampa of 53 Bristow St. are serving in the armed forces: Tec. Sgt. James Ciamps, 32, Michael, 28, Rocco, 25, and Christie Ciampa. Pvt. William Hobbs Killed in Italy: Pfc. William L. Hobbs, 35, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hobbs, 46 Chestnut St., East Saugus, was killed in action somewhere in Italy on May 15. His parents were informed by the War Department last week. Pfc. H. Joseph Berrett Killed in Action: Pfc. Harold J. Berrett, 20, son of John and the late Alice Berrett, of 8 Wilson St., has been killed in action in Burma, his father was informed Monday in a telegram from the War Department. Five Sons of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ward in Service: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ward of 529 Lincoln Avenue have five sons in the service. They are Robie, Kenneth, Seldon, Russell and Charles Ward, Jr. Corp. Biffin Finds Chum in Prison Camp: His spirit low from lack of proper food in a German prisoner of war camp, Theodore P. Biffin, of 54 Jasper St., was asked one dark night for a match by a companion who inquired, “Where are you from, buddy?” Biffin replied, “From a small town in Massachusetts called Saugus.” Someone said, “Me too,” and it was Sgt. Walter B. Wetmore, of 74 Main St., Saugus, Mass.
Page 20 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 BEACON | FROM PAGE 19 scientists, a pediatrician, consumer advocates and representatives from local farming. It would study additives such as high fructose corn syrup, seed oils, artificial coloring dyes, monosodium glutamate, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, sodium nitrite/nitrate in processed meats and bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging. The commission would be empowered to hold public hearings, conduct research, employ staff and issue subpoenas to gather evidence. Within two years of its first meeting, the commission would deliver a report to the governor, the Legislature and the public -assessing health impacts, recommending legislative or regulatory actions and suggesting public education campaigns to promote healthier food choices. “The surge in obesity and chronFOR RENT - EVERETT 1 & 2 Bedroom Apts. All New - Off-Street Parking - Central AC - Gas Heat - Hardwood Floors. Going Fast! Call: (617) 839-8954 & leave message Discount Tree Service 781-269-0914 BUYER1 Famigletti, Dianne Leblanc, Jon Scaduto, Jason BUYER2 Kazimierczyk, Mitchell SELLER1 Oneil, Sheila M Howard, Scott C Hayes Raymond M Est Professional TREE REMOVAL & Cleanups 24-HOUR SERVICE ic illnesses like diabetes, auto-immune disease and behavioral health disorders particularly among children, demands a thorough investigation,” said sponsor Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick). “Growing research and frankly common sense suggest that the root of the problem is related to the foods we eat. Additives like artificial dyes, seed oils and high fructose corn syrup as well as ultra processed foods are poisoning Americans of all ages, robbing them of living healthy and fulfilling lives. This commission will deliver evidence-based solutions to enhance food safety and educate families on healthier options. Massachusetts has an opportunity to lead the way in addressing our growing health crisis.” OCTOPUS (H 127) – Would prohibit the aquaculture of octopus in tanks or other controlled environments for human consumption. Aquaculture is defined as “waters used primarily and directly in the commercial cultivation of aquatic organisms including finfish, mollusk or crustacean in a controlled environment.” The measure would prohibit businesses from selling, transporting or possessing commercially farmed octopus. Violators would be fined up to $1,000 per day and would also be required to pay restitution for any money they made from the octopus. “I filed this bill due to serious ethical concerns related to raising octopuses in confined spaces” said sponsor Rep. Chris Hendricks (D-New Bedford). “The neurological complexities of octopuses are not compatible with controlled aquaculture processes and practices. During this session, I hope the Legislature can take a serious look at this measure and move it Discount Services - Raccoons - Squirrel Removal 781-269-0914 REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www. thewarrengroup.com. SELLER2 Howard, Stephen J Hayes, Brian 1. May 23 is World Turtle Day; are tortoises and turtles the same? 2. What 3-term NYC mayor worked at Ellis Island and spoke Croatian, Italian and Yiddish? 3. On May 24, 1856, the first B&O Railroad line opened with the first trip of a locomotive named what (same name as a circus character’s name)? 4. What animal is Foghorn Leghorn, a croupier at Yosemite Sam’s casino in “Looney Tunes: Back in Action”? 5. How many popes have there been: 142, 267 or 290? 6. May 25 is National Tap Dance Day; what star with a stage name danced with Shirley Temple in “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”? 7. What word that originated in the game of pool means to make a mistake? 8. On May 26, 1967, what debuted with the song “With a Little Help from My Friends”? 9. What does the old-fashioned word scripturient mean? 10. How are air, French and peck similar? 11. What national park’s name includes a man’s name that is also in a tree’s name? 12. Whose first of many car models was the Quadricycle, which had four bicycle wheels? 13. What continent did not have rabbits until they were brought there in in the 18th century? 14. On May 27, 1703, what tsar was born who founded a city and created a “beard tax” for anyone who would not shave? 15. About how many hours ADDRESS 9 Broadway #110 12 Seaview Ave 245 Essex St CITY Saugus Saugus Saugus does it take for a chicken to make an egg: 12, 18 or 25? 16. In the version of Scrabble for what language is there a tile that has two Ls? 17. On May 28, 1937, what opened after FDR telegraphed and “every fire siren in San Francisco and Marin was sounded, every church bell rang, ships sounded their whistles, and every fog horn blew”? 18. The Yukon and Mackenzie Rivers flow into what ocean? 19. What First Lady known by a nickname said, “Where flowers bloom so does hope”? 20. On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were first ever to surmount what? DATE 04.30.25 04.29.25 05.02.25 PRICE 390000 615000 530000 ANSWERS across the finish line.” RODEOS (H 139) – Would require that any rodeos comply with the rules, regulations, standards and practices established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. “I filed this bill because Massachusetts has no standards for rodeos unlike many other states, a fact which came to light after the incident last fall when seven bulls escaped from a traveling exhibition in North Attleboro and crossed Route 1 into residential neighborhoods,” said sponsor Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleboro).“I like that North Attleboro is a venue for all types of entertainment. Variety is the spice of life, after all. We just need to make sure that standards are met for public safety as well as for animal welfare.” AGRICULTURAL EQUITY FOR MINORITIES (S 53) – Would create a special legislative commission to study and develop recommendations for supporting investments, policies and practices designed to “promote equity in agriculture for socially disadvantaged groups in the commonwealth that have been historically or systematically excluded or have had less access to resources and opportunities based on cultural, racial or BEACON | SEE PAGE 21 1. A tortoise is a type of turtle that dwells on land. 2. Fiorella LaGuardia 3. Tom Thumb 4. Rooster 5. 267 6. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson 7. Miscue 8. The album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” 9. “having a strong urge to write” 10. They are types of kiss. 11. Joshua Tree National Park 12. Henry Ford 13. Australia 14. Peter the Great (founded Saint Petersburg) 15. 25 16. Spanish 17. Golden Gate Bridge 18. Arctic 19. Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson 20. Mount Everest
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 BEACON | FROM PAGE 20 ethnic prejudice.” These groups would include, at a minimum, African Americans, Cape Verdeans, We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! Licensed & Insured Page 21 Hispanics, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Caribbean Islanders, Native Americans and Alaskan natives. “Property ownership is a leadFree Estimates Carpentry * Kitchen & Bath * Roofs * Painting Decks * Siding * Carrijohomeimprovement.com Call 781-710-8918 * Saugus, MA General Contractor * Interior & Exterior C B& American Exterior and Window Corporation Contact us for all of your home improvement projects and necessities. Call Jeff or Bob Toll Free: 1-888-744-1756 617-699-1782 / www.americanexteriorma.com Windows, Siding, Roofing, Carpentry & More! All estimates, consultations or inspections completed by MA licensed supervisors. *Over 50 years experience. *Better Business Bureau Membership. Insured and Registered Complete Financing Available. No Money Down. Landscaping, Inc. 781-233-0348 * Landscaping Maintenance * Mulch * Lawn Mowing & Dethatching * Spring & Fall Clean-ups * Owner-Operated FREE ESTIMATES * CANDBLANDSCAPINGINC.COM The Kid Does Clean Outs From 1 item to 1,000 * Basements * Homes * Backyards * Commercial Buildings The cheapest prices around! Call Eric: (857) 322-2854 Frank Berardino MA License 31811 Steps Stoops Rebuilt or Repaired Chimney Rebuilt or Repaired House Foundation Leaks Repaired All Basement Repairs Chimney Inspection Roofing & Siding Masonry Repairs Window Installation & Repairs Drywall & Carpentry Waterproofing • 24 - Hour Service • Emergency Repairs BERARDINO Plumbing & Heating Residential & Commercial Service Gas Fitting • Drain Service 617.699.9383 Senior Citizen Discount ing source of intergenerational wealth accumulation,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “In the United States, white people have always had more access to land ownership than Black, Indigenous and People of Color. While we know these populations are significantly underrepresented among farm landowners, we do not have reliable data on who is receiving state grants and other state funding for agriculture.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “It was great to welcome Suni Williams to the Statehouse and back home to Massachusetts. Her resilience and dedication to service serves as an incredible model for young people across the state, reminding them that their potential is as limitless as outer space. We hope that some of the students who joined us today will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM and truly reach for the stars.” ---Gov. Healey hosting a meet and greet with American Astronaut and Needham native Suni Williams and local students at the Statehouse. Williams is the first woman to fly on a flight test of an orbital spacecraft during the 2024 Boeing Crew Flight Test and had her stay extended for nine months by technical problems aboard the ISS. “We are here to make our voices heard and we are asking our legislators to listen and to act, to protect and to strengthen the programs which keep older adults safe, nourished and at home. And BEACON | SEE PAGE 22 Clean-Outs! We take and dispose from cellars, attics, garages, yards, etc. Call Robert at: 781-844-0472
Page 22 Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $200 per paper in-town per year or $225 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 BEACON | FROM PAGE 21 to continue to invest in our nonprofi t system of care that has delivered value to the commonwealth for decades and so that it can continue to do so for generations to come.” ---Betsey Crimmins, Mass Aging Access Executive Director speaking at the Older Adult Lobby Day at the Statehouse along with some 600 older adults and their supporters. “Every statewide election, thousands of voters show up to vote on Election Day but encounter preventable barriers to voting. The Voting Access Campaign seeks to remove those known barriers by advocating for important voting reforms like Same Day Registration. Let’s ensure that every eligible voter who seeks to cast a ballot on Election Day can cast one that counts and that we make sure the door to our democracy is fully opened to all eligible voters in Massachusetts.” ---Geoff Foster, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts at a press conference announcing the group’s 2025 legislative campaign to strengthen voting access for all Bay Staters. “Investing in our youth and young adults is an essential part of our state’s strategy to develop pathways for our future talent and workforce. YouthWorks provides an invaluable chance for young people to discover why Massachusetts is an exceptional place to live and work.” ---Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones announcing some $22 million in funding grants to hire 6,540 youth in summer and year-round employment through the state’s YouthWorks program for the 2025-2026 program year. The program provides teens and young adults with hands-on work experience and soft-skill development, and places them in jobs in industries such as education, health care, information technology, camp counselors, arts and communications. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are imMemorial Day 2025 Sacrifices Remembered. Heroes Honored. 36 Essex Street, 3, Saugus -List Price: $339,000 Move-in ready 2-bedroom condo in the heart of Cliftondale Square! Enjoy an updated kitchen boasting cherry cabinets, granite counters, ceramic tile back splash, stainless appliances, breakfast bar and hardwood flooring, open to a sunny living room with slider to your private balcony. Freshly painted, new carpeting, wall a/c, deeded parking, laundry room in building, low condo fee includes heat & hot water. Listing Agent: Lori Johnson 781.718.7409 98 Cedar Street, 4, Wakefield-List Price: $529,000 Beautifully maintained and freshly painted townhome offering the perfect mix of comfort and convenience. Featuring gleaming hardwood floors and abundant natural light, this home boasts three bedrooms, One and a half baths, and a versatile, partially finished basement, ideal for a home office, gym, or bonus living space. Enjoy a bright and open main level perfect for entertaining, efficient gas heat, in-unit laundry, and one Deeded spot at your door step. Listing Agent: Lucia Ponte 781.883.8130 portant to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of May 12-16, the House met for a total of one hour and 56 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and two minutes. Mon. May 12House11:00 a.m. to11:54 a.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to11:24 a.m. Tues.May 13No House session. No Senate session. Wed. May 14No House session. No Senate session. Thurs. May 15House11:03 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 12:08 p.m. Fri. May 16No House session. No Senate session. Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. 14 Aaron Street, Melrose List Price: $649,000 Nestled on a quiet residential street in Melrose, this oldstyle 9 room, 5 bedroom, 2 full bathroom Colonial has been in the same family for many years and is ready for its next chapter. A great opportunity for buyers looking to restore and personalize this property located in a desirable community. Listing Agent: Lucia Ponte 781.883.8130130 New Listing: 332 Lynnfield Street, Lynn List Price: $499,900 This Ranch style home features 2 spacious bedrooms, 1 full bath, and hardwood floors throughout. Convenient to schools, commuter routes, shopping, and Lynn/Swampscott beaches. Great home for first time home buyers, or if you are looking to down size. Also, superb condo alternative. Come bring your ideas to personalize this home or do nothing but unpack and enjoy! Listing Agent: Lucia Ponte 781.883.8130
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025 Page 23 UNDER AGREEMENT IN JUST 11 DAYS! NOW’S THE PERFECT TIME TO SELL! CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION. Prime Commercial Rentals in Saugus Boost Your Business in Saugus! High-Visibility Commercial Spaces Available Now Take advantage of versatile, high-traffic spaces in a prime Saugus location—ideal for retail, office, or a variety of commercial uses. Enjoy easy access to major highways, shopping centers, and local amenities. This is the perfect $1,500/month 905 Main St, Lynnfield In today’s competitive market, timing is everything, and Mango Realty delivers results fast! We’re proud to announce that this beautiful home at 905 Main Street, Lynnfield, listed at $899,000 is officially under agreement in just 11 days. Thinking of buying or selling? Don’t wait! With a proven track record and a team of dedicated professionals, Mango Realty is ready to help you navigate the market with confidence and ease. Whether you're upgrading, downsizing, or making your very first move, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Call now at 617877-4553 or email us infowithmango@gmail.com and donisit: www.mangorealtyteam.com Your Trusted Partners in Real Estate Mango Realty Inc. – Local Experts. Real Results Buying, selling, or investing? Our dedicated agents offer personalized service, expert guidance, and proven results. At Mango Realty, we treat your goals like our own. Your community. Your team. Your Mango Realty. Call today to connect with your local agent and take the next step with confidence! 345 Central, Saugus MA Just $1,500/Month! Versatile 900 sq. ft. office/retail space in a high-visibility Saugus Center location! Includes 550 sq. ft. street-level storefront and 350 sq. ft. finished basement, ideal for professionals or small businesses such as law firms, accountants, salons, or fitness studios. Affordable lease terms: First month, security deposit, and one-month broker fee. Tenant pays electric. Owner covers water, sewer, taxes, and exterior maintenance. Call Peter at 781-820-5690 to schedule your showing today! $1,200/month 420 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus MA Cliftondale Square – Office Space for Rent. Attractive 2ndfloor office with 4 spacious rooms, private bathroom, and on/off-street parking. Perfect for professionals—lawyers, accountants, doctors, architects, and more. Only $1,200/month. Flexible lease (month-to-month or yearly) with no security deposit. Just $2,000 to move in (includes first month & background check). Call Peter at 781-820-5690 – Don’t miss out! LATEST LISTING Searching for your dream home in Malden? Explore exceptional properties in a thriving community — the perfect home is waiting for you! SUE PALOMBA 617-877-4553 CEO OF MANGO REALTY JEANINE MOULDEN 617-312-2491 ROSA RESCIGNO 781-820-0096 45 PRINCETON RD MALDEN, MA Peter Manoogian (617) 387-6432 LEA DOHERTY 617-594-9164 MARIE RICHEMOND 609-553-7427 Prime Two-Family Home in Malden – A Rare Opportunity! Don’t miss your chance to own this beautifully maintained two-family home in one of Malden’s most desirable neighborhoods! Lovingly cared for by the same family for decades, this property is move-in ready and perfect for investors or extended families. Enjoy updated kitchens and baths, modern flooring, stainless steel appliances, and in-unit laundry in both units. Relax on the charming farmer’s porch or entertain on the spacious rear decks. Conveniently located near downtown Malden, Melrose, schools, shops, and public transportation — this home offers comfort, value, and location all in one. Call Peter at 781-820-5690 today for more details! MANGO REALTY MAKES IT HAPPEN! HAPPY BUYER AT 32 NEWHALL STREET, SAUGUS CARL GREENLER 781-690-1307 Real Estate Broker NORMA PARZIALE 617-590-9143 ROSE CIAMPI 617-957-9222 Ron Visconti (617) 387-6432 Real Estate Broker CHRISTINE DESOUSA 603-670-3353 Joe Dinuzzo 617-680-7610 38 Main St Saugus MA 01906 563 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 32 Main Street Rockport, MA 01966 Mango Realty is proud to announce the successful sale of a charming fixer-upper in East Saugus! With strong negotiation, clear communication, and a commitment to our clients’ goals, we helped our buyer secure this promising property under favorable terms. Congratulations to all involved, we love turning possibilities into proud homeownership. Thinking of buying or selling? Let Mango Realty guide you home. Call us now at 617-877-4553, email us at infowithmango@gmail.com, and don’t forget to visit www.mangorealtyteam.com.
Page 24 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAy, MAy 23, 2025
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