Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 Masons donate to the World Series Park Lighting Fund (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release issued this week by World Series Park.) T he William Sutton Lodge of Masons recently donated $1,000 to the World Series Park Lighting Fund. Over the years William Sutton Lodge has been supportive of many groups and causes in the Saugus community. “World Series Park appreciates this very generous donation to our lighting fund from William Sutton Lodge,” World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis said. “They have a history of giving back to the community and have been involved in providing help to many in need.” The World Series Park Lighting Fund is still looking for donors since the total cost for the lights has come up short. Anyone who donates $100 or more can get their name or the name of a departed loved one on the J& $45 yd. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. MULCH SALE! Discount Spring Special PICK-UP or DELIVERY AVAILABLE 617-389-1490 Premium Hemlock or Pitch Black BELOW WHOLESALE COSTS LANDSCAPERS WELCOME $4 yd. $40 yd. $3 yd. By Mark E. Vogler A t last week’s meeting, Selectman Jeff Cicolini noted that this is an election year, which makes voting for a sewer rate increase “a tough thing to do.” Cicolini announced weeks ago that he has no plans of seeking another two-year term on the Board of Selectmen in the November town elections. So, he didn’t really feel any pressure in suggesting that his colleagues consider a 9 percent increase in the sewer rates for the 2022 fi scal year that begins July 1. “It’s kind of like kicking the can down the road,” Cicolini said, warning them that balking on an overdue, hefty increase would make matters worse next year. “If you do a 7.5 percent inPhoto by Rodrigo de Mendoza crease this year, you will be looking at 30 percent next year,” he said. But Cicolini’s colleagues – who approved a 7 percent hike for the second straight year last year – were willing to support a higher increase, though just halfway Remember. Honor. Celebrate. WE’LL BE CLOSED ON MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, MAY 31ST, TO REMEMBER ALL WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY. AS ALWAYS, YOU CAN ACCESS OUR ATMS AND ONLINE BANKING ANYTIME. $2.39 419 BROADWAY, EVERETT MA 02149 Right by you. 61 7-38 7 - 1 1 10 7 7 1 SALEM ST, LYNNFIELD MA 01940 7 8 1 - 7 7 6 - 4444 WWW.EVERETTBANK .COM Member FDIC Member DIF permanent lighting fund plaque and will be invited to the dedication ceremony and reception which will be held as soon as the lights are installed. Donations can be made by sending a check payable to World Series Park at 8 Holden Ave., Saugus, MA 01906. Donations can also be made online by going to worldseriespark.net and doing it through the GoFundMe Charity account. SUPPORTING LOCAL BASEBALL: Past Masters of William Sutton Lodge of Saugus gathered at World Series Park to donate $1,000 to the World Series Park Lighting Fund. From left to right are Ralph Gibbs, Presiding Master Todd Galarneau, World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis, Kevin McNeely, John Cole and Kevin Wildman. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Sewer rates Selectmen approve 8.25 percent increase for the 2022 fi scal year, a $29 annual increase for average residential user (8.25 percent) to the 9 percent he was recommending. The average residential user would be paying $384 a year – a $32 increase – under the 9 percent proposal. Under the 7.5 percent proposal, the average residential user would have an annual bill of $378 – a $26 increase. Selectmen decided it was best just to split the diff erence with a bill that would only go up halfway. “Ultimately, it would be great if rates could keep up with expenditures,” Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree told selectmen at their Wednesday night (May 19) meeting conducted by Zoom teleconferencing. “It’s important that the town continues to focus on a capital plan and fund it,” he said. Consultant Matt Abrahams of The Abrahams Group presented the board with a detailed report, noting that the town would incur a defi cit of at least $693,000 in the sewer enterprise fund account for a fourth consecutive year. That’s four years of defi cits totaling more than $3 million. Town Manager Crabtree emphasized that when the town signed an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) back in 2005 to improve the sewer system, town consultants advised that the town needed to double its sewer rates within the fi rst fi ve years. But that never happened, and the town found itself under-budgeting $7 million over that period. “The rates never increased the way they should have been in 2006,” Crabtree said. “I think having a Water and Sewer Commission takes the politics out of it. Most communities have a Water and Sewer Commission,” he said. Selectmen have been reluctant to approve increases recSEWER | SEE PAGE 6
3 Publizr Home