THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021 Page 5 MAKING | FROM PAGE 1 added. “We are grateful of the Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s support of the Town of Saugus and its goal to create safer streets, sidewalks, and crossings in Cliftondale Square,” he said. Meanwhile, state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) and Board of Selectmen ViceChair Corinne Riley were able to see the results of their three-year-old project – to do something to better protect friends and residents from getting hit by cars while trying to cross the streets in Saugus. Riley, who was not yet a selectman, discussed possible ways to make town streets safer. “We looked at crosswalk signs in the other communities,” recalled Wong. “Corinne got the cost of signs in other towns and cities. I applied for $50,000 in the state budget for the crosswalk signs, which the town has received – many thanks to the state delegation, House of Representatives, Senate and the Governor for approving this amount,” Wong said. “The signs are not a cureall. The vehicles still have to slow down and the residents also have to be more aware of their surroundings. This project is an example of what can happen when residents, local and state governments work together,” he said. Revitalization committee chair suggested grant Joe Vecchione, a Precinct 2 Town Meeting member who chairs the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee, which he instigated, said he hopes the two recent developments will help to spur other efforts to improve Cliftondale Square – with the long-range goal of making it a viable business community again. “Finally, after years of studies and stagnancy, we’re beginning to see progress materializing,” Vecchione told The Saugus Advocate yesterday. Vecchione organized and chaired a community forum last month at the MEG Building, where he invited residents, tenants and property owners to show up and offer their ideas on how to improve the Square. The committee will reconvene next month or in early September to begin drafting a final report, which is due for submission to the Town Meeting by Nov. 1. Vecchione pitched the idea FOR A SAFER CLIFTONDALE SQUARE: Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley stands near the new flashing crossing beacon installed last week at a dangerous intersection in front of the Cliftondale Post Office. Riley and state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) collaborated on a project three years ago that led to a state grant that funded the installation of three crosswalk signs like this last week – two of them in the Cliftondale Square area. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) for the town applying for the grant earlier this year during a virtual Zoom forum set up by selectmen so local residents and officials could provide feedback and make requests of the town’s legislative delegation. “I mentioned the Shared Streets and Spaces grant, how it’s purpose was appropriate to the context and issues in Cliftondale and if there would be another round of funding, which Senator Creighton confirmed,” Vecchione said. “I sent a follow up email to our Planning Department and Town Manager to advocate and apply pressure for the Town to complete an application for the May deadline. Previous applications for the grant in the past year [not in Cliftondale] were not accepted as they did not meet the criteria of the grant,” he said. “While the authority of the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee is limited in nature, I do believe our continued persistence, our collaborative and pragmatic approach, and our success in raising renewed awareness of the glaring issues in Cliftondale with data-driven, upto-date background has certainly accelerated revitalization efforts and push for investment in this struggling business and housing district coming out of a crippling pandemic. The success in being awarded this grant is a testament of how persistence, collaboration and cooperation can yield meaningful results,” he said. Cliftondale becoming a bigger town priority In his press release, Crabtree characterized CliftonMAKING | SEE PAGE 13 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657
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