THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 Page 5 UPS | FROM PAGE 1 at the Salem Turnpike property. He worried that “light industrial use” within the proposed new 120,000-square-foot single story building with 210 parking spaces at 20, 140 and 150 Salem Turnpike (Route 107) would contribute to traffi c woes and related problems for residents who live nearby. There was no way to stop the project after the board’s 4-1 vote. But a recent request by HRP Saugus, LLC for a modifi cation or the special permit to allow the operation of business between the hours of 2 to 6 a.m. has riled residents of East Saugus who worry that it will invite heavy truck traffi c on Ballard Street and adjoining roads in the area. Andrew Chused, managing partner of HRP, updated the board last week (July 20) on a promising project that is better than what the board initially expected. Chused told selectmen the size of the 125,000-squarefoot building has been downsized to 87,000 square feet. He said it will produce 208 new jobs and the property that currently generates $110,000 in taxes to the town would generate “well over $300,000 – $7 million over the next 20 years.” He told the board that UPS is interested in leasing the new building but requests the additional hours of operation so that it can receive packages and load trucks with packages before they take to the streets during normal busiPURSUIT | FROM PAGE 1 mined to be in need of state intervention to make signifi cant improvements because they ranked among the most underperforming schools in the state. Seeking public feedback In a recent letter, McMahon expressed optimism as she reached out to Saugus families for their help and feedback on how to turn around the underperforming school district. “Your questions, ideas and feedback will be critical in charting our path forward – thank you in advance for joining me on this journey,” McMahon wrote in her letter. “I look forward to working together to envision what our district and our students can achieve this year and in years to come,” she said. McMahon sent the letter out on Monday of this week in English, Spanish and Portuguese – encouraging parents and caregivers in Saugus to take an online survey. She said the purpose of the survey was two-fold: 1) to help her understand the perspective of parents and caregivers and 2) develop goals for the ness hours. The current S-2 permit doesn’t allow the future building to operate during the four requested hours. There wouldn’t be any truck traffi c during that time, and only four trucks would be involved at the terminal, according to Chused. But neighbors are concerned about UPS truck traffi c down Ballard Street and adjoining streets – instead of the traffi c being limited to Route 107. Without the hours, Chused said, UPS will probably back out of the deal. “They can’t aff ord to be shut down during those hours,” Chused said. He gave the board his word that no truck traffi c would travel down Ballard Street and connecting neighborhood roads during the four additional hours being sought for the S-2 permit. But, after listening to neighbors’ concerns, selectmen said they want to interview a top UPS offi - cial involved with the proposed operation. Cogliano vowed that selectmen would protect residents if the modification is approved. “This board can absolutely revoke that license if they ignore the rules,” Cogliano said. “No trucks can go anywhere, except on Route 107. We won’t allow this to impact the neighborhood,” he added. But several town offi cials say enforcement of the rules regarding trucks is virtually impossible to guarantee, as residents in the neighborhood are alupcoming school year. The survey, which will continue through today (July 30), is open to all parents and caregivers in Saugus, whether they send their children to public schools or have chosen to send them elsewhere. McMahon said she planned to make hard copies of the survey available in the front offi ce of every school and at the Saugus Public Library. She said she will discuss survey themes at the Aug. 12 School Committee meeting as part of the committee’s goal-setting discussion. “I will use your input to inform my long-term Entry Plan,” McMahon said. “This summer, I have met with educators, school leaders, town leaders, and students, and I am struck by how excited and eager the members of our school community are to begin the next school year,” she said. “I am working closely with the School Committee to develop our district-wide goals, which will be formally adopted and rolled out at the end of September,” she said. “Your input is vital to this process. You bring an important perspective on what our students need, what already works ready plagued by traffi c cutting through town to fi nd shortcuts to Route 1 congestion. Cogliano said he is confi dent that the neighbors have little to worry about. “If we can’t make that restriction [traffi c can only travel on Route 107], it’s not going to happen.” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian was a staunch advocate of the project initially. But he is skeptical of the modifi cation. “Who among us is going to be truck detectives?” Manoogian said. “Vote ‘no’ and keep the existing conditions the way you have,” he said. Serino, the lone selectman to vote against the S-2 permit initially, said he’s still opposed to it. “You cannot enforce it,” Serino said of any agreements stipulating that truck traffi c would be limited to Route 107. Selectman Jeffrey V. Cicolini acknowledged he’s “as pro-business as anybody” but said he isn’t comfortable approving the modifi cation. He suggested continuing the hearing and having a high-level UPS offi cial at the next meeting to assure the town the truck traffi c won’t spill over to Ballard Street and adjoining streets if the 2 to 6 a.m. period is allowed. Cicolini noted he is concerned about “the volume of trucks that cut through Saugus today because Route 1 is a parking lot.” John Pizzi, a Dudley Street resident, was one of many East well in our district, and areas where we still need to improve. I am eager to learn from parents and caregivers of all children in Saugus – both those who attend Saugus Public Schools and those who have chosen to enroll elsewhere.” PURSUIT | SEE PAGE 16 Saugus residents speaking out against the modifi cation, predicting that it would adversely aff ect the quality of life in the neighborhood. “We have 18-wheels re.” ver “Our AFCNS experience has been valuable beyond measure.” Denise, Caregiver to Son, Dean ers constantly every day, going down Dudley Street,” Pizzi said. “I’m totally against more trucking coming into the neighborhood,” he said.
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