SAUGUS Have a Safe & Happy Memorial Day Weekend! C TE D AT CAT Vol. 26, No.21 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net A FALLEN SOLDIER REMEMBERED Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, May 24, 2024 Town Meeting 2024 Members approve article to make the rail trail safer for runners and walkers who worry about getting hit by motorized vehicles; rail trail bylaw includes a 15 mph speed limit for motorized vehicles By Mark E. Vogler W alkers and joggers have shared their fears with town offi cials in recent months about getting run over or hit by motorized vehicles on the town’s popular rail trail. After hearing a few of the horror stories at this week’s Annual Town Meeting session, members voted unanimously to approve a bylaw that empowers police to regulate activity on the 2.5 miles of the Northern Strand Community Trail that runs through Saugus. “For someone who’s on the rail trail every day, I see how many motorized scooters and bikes almost hit people,” Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Matthew Parlante said Monday night (May 20) during Session 3 as he spoke in support of Article 27, which was introduced by Board of Selectmen Had he lived, Stanley Joseph Egan of Saugus would be celebrating his 75th birthday on Monday, Memorial Day. Instead, he will be remembered this weekend as one of three young men from Saugus who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. Please see inside for the story and more Memorial Day coverage. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) Chair Debra Panetta. “I’ve watched mothers pushing carriages with their children being frightened by the bicycles and scooters passing them,” Parlante said. Several members in the 50-member chamber shared their own harrowing experiences of feeling unsafe while going out for a walk. Precinct 1 Town Member Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta briefed members at Monday night’s Annual Town Meeting on her proposal for a Northern Strand Community Trail bylaw. Town Meeting members voted unanimously to adopt the bylaw. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Sue Palomba admitted “I cringe” when she goes to the trail to take her morning walk. “We always feel like we’re going to get hit by one of those motorized bikes,” Palomba said. Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member William S. Brown called Article 27 “a long overdue piece of legislation.” “Shortly before this meeting, my wife and I took our nightly walk down the trail and we were almost run over by a young kid on a motorized MEETING | SEE PAGE 2 Have a Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Mid-grade Regular $3.95 3.35 73 69 Over 45 Years of Excellence! Full Service $2.99 Order online at angelosoil.com
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