Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 3, 2020 Facebook.com/ advocate.news.ma Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. * Corporate Litigation Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * 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 Night Two of Zoom TM Saugus Cable TV gets money to complete studio, but with audit provision By Mark E. Vogler T own Meeting voted Tuesday night to approve $375,000 that will enable Saugus Cable TV to complete construction of its new studio at 30 Main St., in the remodeled Saugus Historical Society Building. An amendment initiated by Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian provides $25,000 to cover the cost of an audit into the circumstances surrounding a $350,000 cost overrun for the project. The Finance Committee had recommended that the Article be referred back to the Board of Selectmen. But several selectmen who spoke at the Zoom Meeting via videoconferencing urged members to approve the Article to prevent further delays of the project. “We need to go ahead with We Now Offer For Your Eating Pleasure “UBER EATS” Convenient Delivery Service Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Full Menu To Go Open for Takeout for Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Food 381 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere 781-284-5600 $1.55 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 this project,” Saugus TV Board of Directors President Al DiNardo told Town Meeting. DiNardo, who is also a Town Meeting member in Precinct 4, said the project is already being delayed unnecessarily. “We don’t have security system tonight. We don’t have climate control tonight. … We cannot READY TO ROLL? The Annual Town Meeting approved funds to cover a cost overrun on Saugus Cable TV’s studio, which is near completion at 30 Main St. Money to cover the cost overrun and an audit will allow for completion of the project. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) broadcast live tonight because of it [the delays]. Town Meeting members voted overwhelmingly at a Special Meeting last September to approve $550,000 in ratepayers’ money for the construction of its new studio, which is essentially an addition onto the Historical Society Building. But at their April 14 meeting, selectmen learned the final cost of the new home for Saugus TV could be $900,000 to a million dollars. Saugus TV requested an additional $382,950. But selectmen voted to reduce the amount to $350,000 after the cable station drew heavy criticism from Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini for an apparent lack of fiscal oversight on the project. The state Department of Revenue (DOR) rejected a request by the Board of Selectmen to approve the amount of money as “emergency expenditures,” forcing the matter to go to Town Meeting. The project came to a standstill for several months. “I think we’re going to be able to get some answers of what happened and why it happened,” Manoogian said. The audit would provide some badly needed oversight to assure that ratepayers are protected, according to Manoogian. DiNardo said he welcomes the audit, saying it might point out potential cost savings. “We are going to be at the Historical Society rent free for 17 years,” DiNardo said. “I’m looking forward to having an Open House as soon as we get back to normal,” he said. Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Bill Brown complained that he had not been able to receive any information and that Saugus Cable TV “is keeping us in the dark.” “If everything is so fine here, why is Town Meeting not given any information?” Brown said. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Chris Riley said he was glad to see the Board of Selectmen support the provision for an audit. “It’s needed,” Riley said. DiNardo said the construction will be completed within three weeks and that the funds approved by Town Meeting are adequate. This week on Saugus TV Sunday, July 5 from 9–11 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, July 6 all day on Channel 8 – “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, July 7 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Town Meeting from June 30. Wednesday, July 8 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – Belmonte Middle School Award Ceremony. Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – School Committee Meeting from July 2. Friday, July 10 at 9 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Friday Night Frights” (scary movies). Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9 & 22. For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org. ***programming may change without notice***
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