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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 Page 11 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Monday is makeup day for Wildlife Encounters! Weather permitting, Monday will be the makeup day for Wildlife Encounters – a fun event that got cancelled a few weeks ago. This event, which is bound to draw a huge crowd of kids and grownups who would love to experience close encounters with wildlife, is set for 9:30 a.m. at the Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site. It’s being promoted by the Saugus Public Library as a “live animal show” that’s also “Interactive, educational and fun.” The press release issued by the Saugus Public Library also notes that it will include “‘farm life,’ ‘pet life’ and friendlier wild species of Ambassador Animals. Most of these animals are rescues that were injured, abandoned or displaced… and they all have their own personal stories! At our discretion – all of these animals may be hands-on.” Wild Encounters of New Hampshire will be leading the live animal program. Their Junior Zookeeper program celebrates animals and is being held in honor of the Library’s Tails and Tales themed Summer Reading program. It’s informative, interactive and fun. Folks are welcome to bring a blanket or chair. For further details or in case of rain, please check the library’s online event calendar on the morning of the program. Folks should check for updates using the library’s online event calendar after 8 a.m. that day, according to Amy Melton, Head of Children’s Services at the Saugus Public Library. Here is the link: https:// www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events/ Sounds like a fun program for kids of all ages. Executive Sessions are secret! I received a few emails and texts from some of our readers letting me know that I got disparaged on Facebook by a selectman who took umbrage to me using the term “secret session” in referring to an Executive Session in last week’s article about selectmen approving Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s threeyear contract extension. I don’t really care what town officials might say about me on Facebook, as I’m not a Facebook fan and never have been. And if somebody wants to go on there and badmouth me, that’s their prerogative. But in this case, they should know that it’s not unusual for newspapers to refer to Executive Sessions as “Secret Sessions” or “private, closed door sessions.” Heck, I have been doing that since the 1970s at newspapers where editors believed that the term “Executive Session” really needed to be clarified for the public’s sake. No bad connotation intended, but Executive Sessions are quite secret by their nature. Information is legally withheld from the public based on specific reasons. And sometimes discussion happens during these private sessions on information that is actually very public. That happened in the case of several meetings held by the Saugus School Committee a couple of years ago. That was clear based on a ruling by the state Attorney General’s Division of Open Government which cited inappropriate discussion of public issues behind closed doors. And that ruling was confirmed by copies of minutes of the Executive Sessions that I obtained. In a related matter, several readers wanted to know whether the meeting notice for an 8:30 a.m. June 25 Executive Session skirted the Open Meeting Law because it didn’t mention whether selectmen would be returning into public session with a possibility of taking a vote – which they did. After several hours of research on Open Meeting Law decisions and consultation with the state Attorney General’s Office, I can give you the following answer: “There is no requirement that the meeting notice indicate whether the public body plans to return to open session after the completion of the executive session. “However, during the public portion of the meeting prior to entering executive session, the chair has to announce whether the public body will return to open session. So, it does not need to be stated on the notice, but does need to be stated in an announcement during the meeting.” But it should also be pointed out that some literature from the state attorney general’s office has recommended that a line be included on meeting notices indicating whether the public body intends to reconvene in public session and take a possible vote after an Executive Session. I remember well that the Saugus School Committee, even during its Open Meeting Law transgressions, included that line in its meeting notices. That sort of goes hand in hand with “transparency.” If citizens – particularly local journalists – know there’s going to be a public session with a possible vote after the Executive Session, they’re probably going to show up at the meeting. I know I certainly would have planned on going down to that 8:30 a.m. June 25 meeting on a Friday had someone made it clear to me that there was going to be a vote on the town manager’s contract extension. So, we would have written a story about the contract extension several weeks before the story eventually came out. we have faced in recent history. “‘More information will be forthcoming over the next few weeks regarding this town event. If you lost a loved one during the COVID pandemic and would like their name mentioned at the vigil, please send their names along to Saugusremembers@gmail.com and we will be sure to include them.” As of yesterday (Thursday, July 22, 2021) Saugus has had 4,231 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 74 deaths since March 1, 2020, according to an update provided to us by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. After Beach Party at the Kowloon The Kowloon Restaurant will host a free “After Beach Party/Disco/Motown Night” on Sunday (Aug. 1) at the outdoor patio venue on Route 1 North. Boston media personality Sue Brady will be hosting the event, which will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Sue says to wear your platforms and be prepared to indulge in some dancing, food, drinks and fun. There is no admission charge. The group known as Trifecta – which performs high energy dance, disco and Motown Classics – will provide the entertainment. Several vacancies on the ZBA Here’s an opportunity for Saugus residents who aspire to serve their town as a volunteer member of an important local government body. Applicants for an appointment to the Saugus Zoning Board of Appeals are being accepted by the Saugus Board of Selectmen. There are three permanent appointments open and three alternate appointments. The appointments are volunteer/nonpaid positions for Saugus residents. Interested candidates may submit a letter of interest or resume to: Saugus Board of Selectmen, Saugus Town Hall, 298 Central St., Suite 4, Saugus, MA 01906. Please submit your letter of interest or resume no later than Aug.13. What’s happening at Breakheart? GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who’s being sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who correctly identifies the Saugonian being sketched between now and Tuesday at noon qualifies to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location on Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) A date set for COVID-19 remembrance This just in from Board of Selectmen Vice-Chair Corinne Riley: “A date has been set by the Town of Saugus along with the Saugus Clergy, ‘Remembering Those Who Passed and Those That Lifted us Up.’ “The notice reads as follows: “‘Since COVID-19 hit Saugus last Spring, we’ve lost so many not only from COVID, but from other causes as well. During the time of lockdown, social distancing guidelines affected how, if at all, we said goodbye to our family members and friends. “‘A Candlelight Vigil is being planned for Sunday, Sept.19th on the Town Hall lawn. It will be a time to remember those who have passed, and also a celebration of Thanksgiving for those who we relied upon so heavily during one of the most susceptible times Brett Power, Visitor Services Supervisor for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), gave us the latest listings for August at Breakheart Reservation. All programs are free and open to the public. Bring water, use sunscreen/bug spray, dress in comfortable layers and wear sturdy, closed toe shoes. An adult must accompany children. Reasonable accommodations upon advance request. Inclement weather cancels outdoor programs. Breakheart Reservation is located at 177 Forest St. in Saugus. Parking is free. For more information call 781-233-0834, visit the website https://www.mass.gov/locations/ breakheart-reservation or email brett.power@mass. gov. Here’s what’s happening: Family Fishing: Sunday, August 1, 15, 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Join our park interpreter for a drop-in fishing program! Learn how to fish, what fish live in our ponds and how to catch and release responsibly. Bait and a handful of rods will be provided. But feel free to bring your own gear and fish with us and share your tips! No fishing license required for this program. Meet at the dock on Pearce Lake Beach. Stories in Stone Hike: Sunday, August 8, 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Breakheart has been shaped not only by nature, but by the many people who have called it home. Join our park interpreter to discover this history through the stone artifacts they left behind. This is a 2.5 mile, moderate hike along rocky trails, with several stops. Best for adults and older children with a keen interest in history. Meet outside the Visitor Center. Animal Adventures: Tuesday, August 3, 10, 17, 24 – from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. An afternoon safari exploring the animals, plants, and other living things you can find in and around Pearce Lake. This will be a short, half-mile hike along the shore. Best for ages five and THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 12

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