SAUGUS Vol. 23, No. 27 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Have a Safe & Happy Fourth of July! OCATE DOCTE CAT Published Every Friday Celebrating the Fourth I 781-233-4446 Friday, July 3, 2020 Annual Town Meeting 2020 Members take unprecedented safety precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19 as they pass a new fi scal year budget By Mark E. Vogler n an Annual Town Meeting that began nearly two months late, members approved a new town budget Monday night – without meeting in person – via Zoom videoconferencing and just the day before the end of the 2020 fi scal year. “I’d prefer to meet in perINDEPENDENCE DAY SPIRIT: Retired Saugus Firefi ghter Chuck Shipulski, 70, displays his patriotic pride in the front yard of his home at 128 Main St. with fl owers, festive garden fl ags, a bench painted like an American fl ag, a “God Bless America” sign and plenty of red, white and blue. A 1967 Saugus High School graduate, Shipulski worked for the Saugus Fire Department for 40 years. He credits his wife, Karen, for the Americana theme showcased throughout the yard and inside their home. He’s as ready as any Saugus resident could be to celebrate the Fourth of July. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 Regular Unleaded $1.939 Mid Unleaded $2.539 Super $2.599 Diesel Fuel $2.459 KERO $4.159 Diesel $2.219 HEATING OI 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS T son,” Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree said of the unprecedented format of the Town Meeting, which normally convenes the fi rst Monday in May in the second fl oor auditorium at Town Hall. Bu, Crabtree noted that under the circumstances of Saugus facing a world pandemic that’s already been blamed for the deaths of more than 125,000 Americans – including 36 Saugus residents – meeting in public would have been challenging while putting the personal health of the 50-member body and town government staff at risk. “I applaud the Board of Selectmen for putting our health ahead of our finances,” Town Moderator Stephen N. Doherty said at the outset of the meeting. Doherty said about 2 percent of the town’s population has tested positive for the Coronavirus, adding that the actual number of those infected with the virus might be much higher. So, putting 50 people together to transact the town’s fi scal affairs would be risky business, according to the moderator. To allay health concerns, MEETING | SEE PAGE 6 The Coronavirus C ount State reports no new confi rmed Saugus COVID-19 cases, but town still has 21st -highest COVID-19 rate in state; death toll remains at 36 By Mark E. Vogler his was the best week for Saugus since the state Department of Public Health (DPH) reported the town’s fi rst resident testing positive for COVID-19 on March 19. There were no new confi rmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Saugus over the past week – the first time that has happened ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....NEW CONDO CONVERSION offers 5 rooms. This amazing Condex/Townhouse has been completely gutted, newly framed and plastered, NEW second floor expansion offers 3 bedrooms and full bath, NEW, gourmet kitchen with quartz counters, 2 NEW baths, convenient 1st floor laundry, NEW hardwood flooring throughout, great open floor plan, NEW gas heat, central air, common deck and front farmers porch, maintenance-free vinyl siding, oversized, detached garage and newly paved driveway. Convenient side street location. BEAUTIFUL unit - you will be impressed! Condo Fee $76.43 per month. Offered at $449,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com since the outbreak of the Coronavirus back in early March. This also marked the third consecutive week that there were fewer than 10 cases reported, as the overall total remained at 556 confi rmed cases, according to new data released late Wednesday afternoon by the DPH. Meanwhile, the town’s death total from the virus remained at 36. The latest statistics are an indication that the Coronavirus may be slowing down as the town entered its fourth week of Phase 2 in Governor Charlie Baker’s Reopening plan – including the second week of indoor dinC OUNT | SEE PAGE 10 EDUCATION Our 81st Year Next Classes DRIVER ~NOW OFFERING~ 30 HOUR ONLINE CLASS INSTRUCTION STARTING JULY 6 REGISTER ONLINE HENRYSAUTOSCHOOL.COM or call 617-387-9121 AUTO SCHOOL E EVERETT A “Successful Key To Driving” Since 1938 Gift Certificates Available Prices subject to change GOD BLESS AMERICA! FLEET
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