Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, June 21, 2019 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. “A Shout Out” Saugus Public Schools Superintendent David DeRuosi, Jr. with the apparent backing of the Saugus School Committee that the 21 school custodians are no longer. A private custodial company that has yet to be announced by DeRuosi or the School Committee (as of press deadline yesterday) will replace the men and women whose departure apparently has not gone over well with parents, teachers and students who will miss them. After we filed our complaint for what appears to be multiple Open Meeting Law violations Monday, we learned that union members and custodians have filed close to 10 Open Meeting Law complaints with the School Committee. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, a few readers suggested that we give a collective “Shout Out” this week to the custodians who lost their jobs. The 21 custodians who received their notices from the superintendent are Steve Raso, Bob Melanson, Wally Howard, Bill Moore, Carlos Gonzales, Mike Mabee, Lisa Dragon, Joe Tarr, Steve Meurello, Rick Nelson, Tom Lowe, Adrain Lemenager, Bob Marcinko, Dave Savary, Chris Swanson, Angela McGearge, John McBride, Joe Ferraro, Bernado Garcia, Eric Fisher and Gerry Cunio. We hear dozens of Saugus residents who appreciate the custodians’ efforts showed up at Dunkin’ Donuts on Hamilton Street this week to sign a symbolic petition to show their support. A big crowd was expected at last night’s School Committee meeting, which was past our deadline. Anyone got any ideas for people they’d like to see get a “Shout Out”? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with the mention in the subject line, “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph. Anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. Cowards and phonies It’s hard to believe that not a single person on the School Committee, in the School Department or Town Hall had the courage of their convictions to come forward and explain why privatization will be in the best interests of the citizens of Saugus. I truly respect any citizens who says “I think the best way to go – and here’s why.” But it appears that a few Town Meeting members are working behind the scenes trying to discourage or scare fellow members from attending Monday night’s Special Town Meeting. They don’t like the idea of the article initiated by Corinne Riley that would enable Town Meeting Member Ron Wallace of Precinct 5 to get up and speak in support of the custodians after getting muzzled during two nights of this year’s Annual Town Meeting. There are efforts underway by some of the pro-privatization members to keep this Special Town Meeting from getting a quorum (26 of its 50 members). Not sure when the last time a Special Town Meeting or Annual Town Meeting failed to field a quorum. If that does happen, it’s sort of a black eye for Saugus and its proud Town Meeting traditions. Stay tuned. Saugus Tree Committee Breakheart Walk Feel like a nice walk to get in your exercise? While also enjoying some nature? At 6 p.m. next Thursday (June 27), the Saugus Tree Committee will present a Tree and Forest Walk at Breakheart Reservation. The Saugus Tree Committee maintains the Saugus Tree Farm, growing trees to plant on streets and public places in town. They have also sponsored the Tree Poster Contest, in which elementary school students can win trees to be planted at their school. Meet at the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center on Forest Street in Saugus. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will learn to recognize some of the great trees that make up the woods in Breakheart Reservation, one of the largest natural areas in our town. This year’s walk will take a different direction than the one offered last year, which went along the western side of the Reservation. Laura Eisener will lead the walk. She is the landscape designer at Northeast Nursery in Peabody and she teaches in the Ornamental Horticulture Program at North Shore Community College. Laura sent this information to us, along with some of her thoughts: At the start of summer, we will see many beautiful local trees in full leaf. Red Maples, several species of Oak, Birch, and Hickory, as well as White Pine can be found along Pine Tops Road. Smaller woody plants including the lacy-flowered Maple Leaf Viburnum, Common Witch Hazel, and Summersweet line the roadway. We will see a number of interesting species from the forest canopy to the plants that thrive on the woodland floor. We will also see poison ivy, and point out the clues for identifying it before brushing up against it! We will stick to the paved area to make walking easier, with gentle hills, and plan to walk from the visitors center to Pine Tops Picnic area and, if time permits, to the beach. People are welcome to walk all or part of the walk before returning the visitors’ center for light refreshments and a raffle. Proceeds from the raffle go to tree planting on streets and public places in Saugus and to the maintenance of the Tree Farm. Loose ends Hopefully, sometime this summer the town will finally get around to holding a public meeting on traffic safety concerns and targeting specific streets as candidates for speed limit reductions and various safety improvements. Dog licensing deadline Here’s a reminder from the Town Clerk Ellen J. Schena to license your dog by June 30. The late fee of $20 begins on July 1. The $20 is added on to the regular fee of $12 or $15, totaling $32 or $35. Late fees apply only to renewals and those dogs that are new to Saugus that haven’t registered, according to the discretion of the town clerk. For questions, please call the clerk at 781-231-4104. All views in good taste welcomed Back earlier in the year, a reader who doesn’t like to hear differing viewpoints on local issues called and left long, rambling messages criticizing us for having certain people as the subjects of our weekly feature, “The Advocate Asks.” As I told somebody this week, “I’ll interview whoever wants to talk to us.” We wholeheartedly support the right of citizens to speak out on issues no matter what their position is. Differing views. That’s what makes the world go round. Same thing with letters, as long they are not profane. Saugus over coffee, anyone? Back during several stints covering local political campaigning in Lawrence, I would organize neighborhood groups into several coffee klatches, where the residents would talk about major issues in their respective parts of the city. These were very popular sessions, as they would empower city voters to discuss issues on their mind and their wish lists of projects they liked to see discussed on the campaign trail. These were so successful the citizens essentially set voter agendas for City Council, School Committee and sometimes mayoral races. Do you as a Saugus resident have issues that you would like to see public officials tackle in your neighborhood in town? Would you feel comfortable sitting down with a reporter over coffee focusing on what you would like to see done town-wide or in a specific neighborhood? Get some of your friends together and let’s have some coffee as you articulate what you think should be an issue tackled by town or school officials. Nomination papers coming Town residents who are considering a run at public office in the town elections – nomination papers will be available at the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall on July 22. A call for Rumney art If you want to learn a little more about the Rumney Marsh and be creative, check this one out. Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) is pleased to announce a call for art for its second annual Rumney Marsh art exhibition, to be held at the Marleah Elizabeth Graves (MEG) Center at 54-58 Essex St., Saugus, Mass., on September 20 and September 21. Titled Rumney Marsh Through the Seasons, the exhibit will feature art in any medium inspired by the beauty and fragility of the Rumney Marsh Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Dates: ACEC: Rumney Marsh will run from September 20 through September 21 with gallery hours from 6:30–8:30 each evening. The opening reception on Sept. 20 will include a presentation on the plants of Rumney Marsh by Laura D. Eisener and voting for award winners by attendees. The closing reception on September 21 will include the announcement of winners and presentation of prizes and, at 8:30, the pickup of all artwork. Prizes will include gift cards awarded by SAVE to first- and second-place winners in both the adult and high school divisions, as well as art materials – provided by our local Artist & Craftsman Supply – awarded to third-place winners in both divisions. Specifications for submissions: Rumney Marsh must be the focus of the art. Each artist must be at least of high school age and may show only one piece of art. Any three-dimensional works must be selfsupporting and no larger than 1.5ʹ x 1.5ʹ x 1.5ʹ. Works on stretched canvas will be accepted with eye hooks and wire and need not be framed but must be no larger than 30″ x 30″. All other works must be framed and ready to hang (with eye hooks and wire) and no larger than 30″ x 30″ framed. There are no entry fees and you do not need to be a resident of Saugus. Art drop off will be on Thursday, September 19 from 5:30-8:30. Pickup will be on Sunday, September 21 at 8:30 p.m., at the end of the reception. At the time of drop off, each participating artist must fill out an information form (with artist name, price, title of the piece, medium and contact information). In addition, artists must sign a release form acknowledging that while every effort will be made to protect artworks there will be no insurance coverage in event of damage or theft and that neither SAVE nor MEG will be held liable for any damages or theft. Saugus SAVE board members and their family members may exhibit but will be ineligible for any prizes. Finally, any sales must be handled by individual artists after the close of the exhibit. Please join us in celebrating our precious estuarine and salt marsh ecosystem Rumney Marsh! We look forward to seeing your art and to meeting all nature and art lovers at the exhibit and reception. For questions, please contact Kelly Slater at 781-231-6864. Thank you to our community partners, the Marleah Elizabeth Graves (MEG) Center and our local Artist & Craftsman Supply. Saugus Iron Works open for 2019 season Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site has opened for the season. The Visitor Center, Museum and restrooms will have open hours Wednesday-Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours, programs, special events and Junior Ranger Programs will be available throughout the season until Oct. 31. “Due to impacts from the federal government shutdown resulting in hiring delays, we will be open Wednesday-Sunday instead of the usual seven-day operation,” Chief of Visitor Experience and Community Engagement Susan Russo said. “The grounds, however, are typically open to visitors seven days a week to birdwatch, picnic and enjoy the great outdoors! Remember to Carry In, Carry Out.” Visit Saugus Iron Works and “Broadhearth,” the Eastern National Park Store at 244 Central St. in Saugus, Mass., or call 781-2330050. For the most up-to-date information, visit https://www.nps.gov/sair or “like” the Iron Works on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ SaugusIronNPS. Of veterans’ concerns The Saugus Veterans Council says you should mark your calendar for MIA/POW Day, which will be observed on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. in Veterans Park at the intersection of Winter and Central Streets. In case of inclement weather it will be held at the library. All are welcome to attend this annual ceremony honoring our POW/MIA. CHaRM Recycling DropOff site open tomorrow The Town of Saugus announces that the community’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) is open to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 pm. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. There is no preregistration or fee required to enter the site; however, proof of residency is required. At the CHaRM center, the Town will accept the same recycling items that can be placed outside for curbside collection each week, such as paper, cardboard, bottles, cans and glass containers. Additional acceptable items include TVs and computers (up to three per year per address); bulky rigid plastic items, such as toys, laundry baskets, trash barrels, 5-gallon pails; car tires up to SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 19
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