THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021 Page 11 to keep reading to retain skills – and an opportunity to catch up with peers. Research shows that children who do not read during the summer fall behind. The effect is cumulative – over many summers these students fall significantly behind their peers. “Most importantly perhaps, it’s an opportunity to build a reading routine: turn off the media, sit with a child, and enjoy some beautiful story books. Try reading a longer book to them, and let them read to you. With Beanstack kids can take a safari around the world to learn about animals on different continents, listen to animal stories from around the world and do research on their favorites. “Need some help finding registering for summer reading, or finding a ‘just-right book’ for your child? Stop by the library and see us! All programs are free of charge.” A political candidate’s primer It’s almost that time of year again – which happens every two years. The political season for those who are considering reelection to various offices in town government – or those who aspire to replace them – begins in about two weeks: Monday, July 19. That’s the day when candidates considering political office will be able to pick up their nomination papers. For those who are interested, here’s something you can cut out and tape or attach to your refrigerator. Town of Saugus Election Calendar for 2021 Here are some important dates released by the Saugus Town Clerk’s Office: July 19: Local election nomination papers become available. Sept. 7 at 5 p.m.: Last day for incumbent Town Meeting Members wishing to become a candidate for reelection to submit written notice to the Town Clerk. Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.: Last day to OBTAIN nomination papers. Sept. 14 at 5 p.m.: Last day for candidates to SUBMIT nomination papers to the Board of Registrars (Town Clerk’s Office) for certification of signatures. Sept. 30 at 5 p.m.: Last day to file objections or withdrawals. Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m.: Drawing of ballot positions (Town Hall Auditorium). Oct. 13 from 8:15 a.m.-8 p.m.: Last day to register to vote. Fifty (50) certified signatures of registered voters are required for the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, and Housing Authority. Ten (10) certified signatures of registered voters are required for Town Meeting Members. Signatures must be of registered voters in the candidate’s precinct. Oct. 26: Office of Campaign Finance Reports are due on this Monday, the 8th day preceding the election. Nov. 2: Town Elections. Dec. 2: Office of Campaign Finance Reports are due on the 30th day following the election. All candidates are expected to comply with the Town of Saugus Zoning Bylaws (Article 7, Section 7.3, Sub-Section 8) regarding political signs. CHaRM Center Recycling Drop-Off site open for season The community’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) site has opened. This site will remain open to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. At the CHaRM center, the Town of Saugus 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. No shredded paper is accepted for on-site recycling. Additional acceptable items include TVs and computers (up to three per year per address); car tires up to 22” (for a fee of $3); books and textiles, such as clothing, bedding, pocketbooks, belts and shoes. Plastic bags are not permitted; residents are kindly asked to empty recyclables out of any plastic bags and to remove the bags from the site. Also, rigid plastics are not being accepted for recycling at this time. Residents may call Lorna Cerbone at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781-231-4036 with questions or for more information. Compost Site open The town compost site has opened to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. Stickers are required to gain seasonal access to the site. Stickers may be purchased for $25.00 at the Department of Public Works (DPW) located at the Compost Site when making your visit to the Compost Site. The Town accepts checks only for payment of the $25.00. No cash will be accepted. Kindly bring a check when visiting. Thank you! Compost Site stickers must be permanently placed on the lower left corner of residents’ automobile windshields. Vehicles registered out of state are not permitted. Yard waste must be disposed of in brown compost bags or open containers. The Town of Saugus will accept grass clippings, leaves and brush. As in years past, no branches or limbs larger than three inches in diameter are permitted. We ask all residents to please wear a mask and maintain and respect social distancing from others while visiting the site. Residents may call Lorna Cerbone at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781-231-4036 with questions or for more information. Help the Vietnam Vets “Roll to DC” A reminder from Joseph “Dennis” Gould, a Vietnam War Era veteran who served four years with the U.S. Navy; he has organized a fundraising drive that will help area Vietnam Era veterans visit Washington, D.C., in the fall of next year. “I am glad to announce that we will have a ‘Roll to DC’ for Vietnam Era Veterans from Melrose, Saugus, Lynn and surrounding towns September 2022.” The managers will be Saugus VFW Post # 2346. Gould will be Chair and David Nelson (Saugus American Legion) and Stacey Minchello (Melrose Senior Center) will be Vice-Chairs. Post #2346 Quartermaster Stan King will be Treasurer. It will be a four-night trip to D.C., staying at The Presidential Inn on Joint Base Andrews – the home of presidential aircraft. It will include a ceremony and wreath-laying at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and the Tomb of Unknown Soldier as well as visiting all military memorials and statues. “We are looking for major sponsorship and donations from all. The Vietnam Veterans will go on this trip free, but it will take approximately $70,000 of sponsorship and donations,” Gould said. If you would like to be a major sponsor, please contact Gould at cell 617-257-4847 or email Jdgould1969@aol.com. If you would like to send in a donation, please make check out to: “Saugus VFW – Roll to DC” and write “Roll to DC 2022” in the comment line and mail it to: Saugus VFW Post 2346; 190C Main St.; Saugus, MA 01906 Any questions or if you would like to volunteer to assist the committee, please contact Dennis at contact info above. Food Pantry still open The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will continue to remain open on Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. despite concerns over COVID-19. They have made adjustments to protect their core of volunteers and the needy people who receive the food. For the protection of volunteers & clients, and to limit personal contact and crowding/gathering, the food pantry has been distributing prebagged groceries. Even though clients may receive items they don’t want or need, food pantry organizers feel this is the best course of action to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. Those in need, even for short-term or onetime assistance, are encouraged to come. The food pantry is in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Helping the Vet During these challenging times, your local Veterans’ Service Officers (VSOs) would like to share some information on a benefit program that is available to those who qualify. If you are a Veteran or the surviving spouse of a Veteran, the “Chapter 115 Benefits Program” is a Massachusetts state initiative that provides financial aid for Veterans and/ or their surviving spouses who reside in Massachusetts and meet certain income and asset guidelines. Benefits may include monthly ordinary benefits and/or payment/reimbursement for medical expenses. Whether you are laid off, in transition or living on a fixed income, the program is designed to provide short-term or long-term assistance as needed to provide relief. The program is overseen by the Massachusetts Department Veterans’ Services (DVS), which runs the program in partnership with local VSOs. Every town or district in Massachusetts has a VSO. VSOs assist Veterans and their dependents in learning about, applying for and receiving Chapter 115 benefits. VSOs can also help you in applying for other benefits and connecting with local resources. Your local VSO handles applications, obtains program approval from DVS and provides local benefits. The program is funded by a combination of state and local funds. DVS pays for 75% of the approved benefits, and your city or town pays for 25%. There are income and asset limits for the program. As a general rule, income and asset requirements are: Family of 1 – monthly income less than $2,081and an asset limit of $5,000. Family of 2 – monthly income less than $2,818 and an asset limit of $9,800. To determine if you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Chapter 115 program, visit the following link and follow the instructions – https:// massvetben.org/ – or call your local VSO for more information. The VSOs are also able to help Veterans apply for Federal VA benefits and local benefits and provide food assistance monthly. For example, did you know that if you own a home and have a VA service–connected disability, you are eligible for a partial or full exemption of your property taxes? “Please contact your local Veterans’ Service Officer for more information on any of the services mentioned. We are all here to assist. We are regularly checking voicemails and emails as we continue to work remotely and in our offices throughout COVID-19.” Melrose: Karen Burke; 781-979-4186; kburke@cityofmelrose.org Wakefield: David Mangan; 781-246-6377; dmangan@wakefield.ma.us Saugus: Jay Pinette; 781-231-4010; jpinette@saugus-ma.gov Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been over five years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@ comcast.net. Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15- to 20-minute interview over a hot drink at a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee or tea. Or, if you prefer to continue practicing social distancing and be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 crisis. If it’s a nice day, my preferred site for a coffee and interview would be the picnic area of the Saugus Iron Works.
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