THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2022 Page 3 Rain or shine, history will be made First woman commander of the U.S. Constitution will lead this year’s Memorial Day parade as grand marshal By Mark E. Vogler T PROTECTING THE STUDENTS: Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Erin McMahon addressed Town Meeting members at their Monday (May 23) meeting on her concerns about the potential impact that Route 1 marijuana establishments would have on the Saugus Middle-High School, which is located nearby. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) who is a Saugus Fire Department captain in the Fire Prevention/Investigation Unit, said he received calls from residents in his precincts requesting that he attend Monday night’s session because of the vote on Article 36. “I gave up my Celtics tickets to be here tonight,” Cross told his colleagues. He spoke in opposition to the Manoogian amendment and in support of Article 36. Cross said he voted against legalizing marijuana in 2016, but has since changed his mind. “People didn’t know what they were voting on,” Cross said. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Christopher P. Riley said he didn’t regard the 2016 vote as the wrong vote back then. “It was a diff erent time. Recreational marijuana was not proven,” Riley said. “This is here, whether we like it or not,” Riley said, adding that he thinks it is an opportunity to develop more revenue for the town. Cogliano said he is convinced that the marijuana facilities he’s reviewed “are extremely professionally run.” Cogliano introduced Attorney Jonathan Capano, who has been working with the cannabis industry since 2017. He cited statistics which show lucrative benefi ts reaped by communities that have accepted the sale of recreational marijuana. For instance, between December 2018 and May 2019, adult use marijuana brought in $2.9 million in local tax revenue. In the following fi scal year which ended June 2020, marijuana sales generated $14.4 million for cities and towns. In fi scal year 2021, the local option brought in $31.3 million. Between May 9 and May 15, recreational marijuana sales generated $27.2 million. Since the legalization of marijuana in 2018, the industry has surpassed $3 billion in sales. With Saugus having 12 liquor licenses, the community would qualify for about three dispensaries, according to Capano. Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Erin McMahon shared her concerns about the potential impact of marijuana establishments on Route 1. During her time as a superintendent of Denver Public Schools in Colorado, she observed a 5 to 10 percent increase in students skipping or being absent from classes in 2012. McMahon asked the Town Meeting to consider increasing the allowable distance between the establishments and the schools. Article 36 was amended to accommodate the superintendent’s request, as the minimum distance was increased from 500 feet to 1,000 feet. he threat of scattered thunder showers tomorrow morning (Saturday, May 28) shouldn’t be an excuse for a poor turnout for the Annual Memorial Day weekend parade, according to parade organizers and town offi cials. “The people we’re honoring that day gave up a heck of a lot more than a dry day,” Saugus Veterans Council Commander Stephen L. Castinetti said in an interview this week. Selectman Corinne Riley, who has been active in local veterans events, said she agrees with Castinetti’s expectations for the parade — the first one to be held in three years since the March 2020 outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is wonderful to be able to remember and pay our respects to those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifi ce,” Riley said this week. “I hope everyone lines the streets regardless of weather. Those who served were under much more unfavorable conditions protecting our freedoms,” she said. Castinetti hopes for a great turnout this year, in spite of the weather, as he sees this year’s parade as something special. “This is a once-in-alifetime event that you cannot miss!” Castinetti declared of the parade — which is scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. Castinetti, a retired U.S. Navy captain, considers this year’s parade “historical” because USS Constitution Commander Billie June “BJ” Farrell has agreed to be the parade’s Grand Marshal and keynote speaker for the town’s Memorial Day Ceremony. “It’s historical because Commander Farrell became the fi rst female Commanding Offi cer of this great ship in 224 years,” Castinetti said. MEMORIAL DAY | SEE PAGE 6 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 Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net We pay tribute and honor the memory of those who have made the for our country. 100 Salem Turnpike, Saugus, MA 01906 WIN-WASTE.COM
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