THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 19, 2024 Page 15 After a 10-year battle Bread Of Life sets date for grand re-opening By Tara Vocino I t’s been 10 years in the making, but Sunday, Aug. 11 is when the Bread of Life will finally celebrate its grand re-opening at 54 Eastern Ave in Malden. “It’s been a brutally long process,” Bread Of Life Board President Sean Twomey said Wednesday. “We had to overcome five stumbling blocks to get this done, including partners dropping out.” Twomey said everything that could go wrong did, but moving past that, Metro North Housing Corporation saw it to fruition. They will help provide 14 studio apartments, some for formerly homeless veterans. “It’s been an incredible struggle,” Twomey said. “They said it was going to take 3 years, but it took 10.” However, Twomey said — PROJECT | FROM PAGE 7 according to Crabtree. Currently, Saugus youth who want to play street hockey go down to the basketball courts at the Evans School Playground and turn that into a makeshift hockey rink. Positive feedback from Town Hall “I am absolutely thrilled about the Anna Parker project,” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta said. “This will be a tremendous facility for all ages in Saugus. I am also happy that we are working on the other identified parks and playgrounds in town and can’t wait for those upgrades as well. A big thank you to the Town Manager and all that are involved in making this idea and town priority a reality,” said Panetta. “These are quality handicap accessible products being presented to the community rather than fixing or putting Band-Aids on older facilities,” Finance Committee Chair Kenneth DePatto said. “This is money well invested for the residents.” “I couldn’t be prouder of the support of our residents and town officials,” said Crabtree. “We should all celebrate and enjoy these improved town facilities.” Some concerns expressed Nobody expressed outtoday — Bread of Life is now the most efficient charitable organization. Bread Of Life Development Director Patti Kelly said Wednesday that at the August grand re-opening, they will serve an ice cream buffet style, similar to how meals are served in the Bread Of Life to give guests that unique experience. “Dairy Delight, who has been supportive of Bread Of Life, will help people to select toppings,” Kelly said. “People will scoop ice cream into a bowl.” Guests can sponsor a garden bed (pictured) for a minimum of $2,000, which will be displayed outside of the new building. Sponsors will be named. Kelly encouraged guests to come after enjoying the San Rocco festival from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 11. Limited street right opposition to the Anna Parker Playground project at Monday’s meeting. But at least one Town Meeting member expressed some concerns about the need for more clarity on the project. Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member William Brown, who lives within walking distance of the playground, wanted to know why there wasn’t an actual plan submitted to the Town Meeting, which approved funding for park improvements. “It’s a playground,” Crabtree responded. “We’re upgrading and modernizing it,” he said. Brown expressed concerns about the noise of the pickleball games. He also had apprehension about people frequenting the park after dark. “We’re going to have the same security that protects the town’s investments,” Crabtree said. He noted that there would be security cameras and police monitoring of the park. “Whatever your concerns are, we are willing to work with you,” he said. Some residents expressed concerns about the lighting and the parking spaces. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Peter Rossetti Jr. said he wonders why the administration is moving too fast on the project. “It just seems odd that one day you announce a project of this scope and then you are going to go out in two weeks to begin it,” Rosparking is available along Eastern Avenue behind the bicycle path. The parking lot only fits six cars, but Kelly said that shouldn’t be a deterrent. Guests will be able to tour the new building and apartments. Mayor Gary Christenson commented on what the renovated Bread Of Life facility will bring to the city. “Since 1980, Bread of Life has been providing meals through food pantries, meals programs, and homeless family outreach. The new modernized facility will allow them to enhance these critical services while also providing 14 units of housing for formerly homeless individuals,” Christenson said. “We were proud to support their tireless efforts in bringing this project to completion, and the impact that it will have on our community cannot be BREAD OF LIFE | SEE PAGE 20 setti said. Rossetti also said he didn’t think that there was enough information on the diagram. “It would just make more sense to show the whole area and abutting streets,” Rossetti said. “If something like this came before the Board of Appeals, I don’t think I would be prepared to approve it. It just seems incomplete,” he said. A track record of investing in recreational facilities Town officials expressed confidence in the project and the town’s overall commitment to improving parks and playgrounds throughout Saugus. “This is a great project and I like to see the continued improvements to our parks and playgrounds over the years,” said Selectman Michael Serino. “Thank you to all in working together to make this happen for Saugus.” “Parks and playgrounds help bring the quality of life to reality,” Crabtree said. “Studies consistently show that municipal recreational and outdoor facilities increase the quality of life for its residents,” said Crabtree. “Those studies also cite improvements to community residents’ physical and emotional well-being. I’m both proud and thankful for working together with the Board of Selectmen on these priorities. I thank our residents, Town Meeting members, and The grand opening will feature an art gallery, reception and ribbon-cutting. (Courtesy photos, Bread Of Life Development Director Patty Kelly) the Finance Committee that have consistently supported these town-wide upgrades to Saugus’ recreational assets. I have a special thank you to the street hockey kids and pickleball players that participated in the concept and design of the upgrades. This is what community engagement is all about.” A press release issued this week by the town manager’s office noted the improvements to Saugus’ community recreational facilities, beginning in 2016. They include: · 2016 – a brand-new Veterans Memorial Elementary School playground that includes brightly colored playground equipment, wheelchair-accessible equipment, new swings and a newly designed updated basketball court. · 2017 – a new Bristow Park, which features a large, handicap-accessible play area with swings, slides and a seesaw, as well as shade trees, seating and a nearby water bubbler. The existing field was irrigated and includes a 10-foot-tall, 30-foot-long lacrosse wall. The tee-ball field was remade with a new infield, backstop, bleachers and players’ benches. A new basketball court was constructed, and a bathroom, storage shed and concession stand were included in the renovation. The Park also features a series of workout stations from playground equipment company Landscape Structures and LED lights and security cameras to increase safety and security. · 2017 – the Town replaced the old tennis courts at Belmonte Middle School with an expanded facility and five regulation-sized courts to accommodate tournament play, with one overlapping pickleball court and wind screens. These courts are home to the Saugus High School tennis team and are available for residents’ enjoyment. · 2019 – Evans School Playground improvements included two new regulation-size basketball courts, restoration and improvement of surrounding sidewalks, curbing, parking and drainage, and inclusion of security cameras and lighting to increase safety and security on the premises. · 2023 and ongoing – the Riverwalk Project Phase 1, which includes significantly improved connectivity with Vitale Park, Lobsterman’s Landing and the Rumney Marsh Restoration area, a dedicated kayak launch point and significant environmental improvements, including the removal of almost 3,000 square feet of impervious hardtop, reestablishing the area as a tidal saltmarsh with native plantings, which benefits stormwater management and drainage and enhances ecological and habitat diversity along the riverfront.
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