Page 2 HIGH HOPES | FROM PAGE 1 Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). He will be paid $116,970 a year for 37.5 hours per week through the term ending Dec. 31, 2026. “He was clearly the best of the eight candidates who applied for the job,” Housing Authority Chair John Cannon told The Saugus Advocate following last week’s meeting. “What impressed me the THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 8, 2025 Full-time housing authormost was his incredible ability to interact with us during the interview process. In all three meetings, he did well,” Cannon said. “And his resume is impressive. His experience really stood out, when compared to the other candidates. He definitely has the experience to do a great job,” he said. ity experience is something that the previous director – Katelynn M. Lemieux – lacked when the Housing Authority hired her last year. Lemieux told authority members that she was giving up her parttime housing authority administrative duties in Wilmington so she could become a full-time executive director in Saugus. But things didn’t work out as planned. Lemieux resigned in February after just 10 months on the job. She never really enjoyed a close working relationship with the authority, and the lack of experience may have contributed to her troubles. Glynn, who worked for Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net more than a decade as the executive director of the Saugus Housing Authority, resigned in April of last year to spend more time taking care of her ailing father. She agreed to stay on in the transition weeks as needed to help Lemieux. Fortunately for the Saugus Housing Authority, Glynn agreed to return to the job on an interim basis after Lemieux resigned. She’s also agreed to help Hart by working on a part-time basis to assist the transition, as needed. There is no set date for her departure. “We’re lucky to have Laura. She’s done a great job,” Cannon said. COMING TO SAUGUS: Joseph A. Hart, the next executive director of the Saugus Housing Authority, is expected in town later this month. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) Meanwhile, authorit y members have high hopes that the new executive director will do well by Saugus and the residents of the authority’s properties. “I think he will work out well,” Saugus Housing Authority Treasurer Maureen Whitcomb said in an interview last week. “He seems to be very knowledgeable about what the job involves and has a very good sense of humor. I think he will be very good for the people who live in the Housing Authority apartments,” Whitcomb said. “Experience is the big thing. He’s been working around public housing for a long time. He has a good history and track record. Besides the experience, he’s very personable and seems to be a very understanding person. He’s kind and knows how to work with people,” she said. An experience edge Hart’s full-time work experience was superior to everyone in the field of applicants considered by the authority. The two alternates: • Kevin Johnson, who has been executive director of the Swampscott Housing Authority for the past two years. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience, working in the nonprofit and housing sectors. That experience includes five years as director of The Salvation Army of Lynn. • James F. Harris, who has worked since March as the elections administrator for the City of Melrose. He’s the current chair of the Winchester Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners. He worked previously as a legal assistant. He worked in several afterschool childcare and recreation programs. HIGH HOPES | SEE PAGE 3
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