Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 30, 2024 Town working with MassDEP, EPA on siting air quality monitors in East Saugus Special to Th e Advocate T own Manager Scott Crabtree was pleased to announce that town offi cials met with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mass. Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to scout potential sites for the placement of an air quality monitoring station in Rumney Marsh Reservation. Crabtree joined Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta, Selectman Michael Serino, some members of the Saugus Board of Health, Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian, Director of Public Health John Fralick and several residents during Aug. 19 site visits in the Rumney Marsh area to tour two possible sites to locate the state-of-the-art air quality monitors. It was a very 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 J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. 23rd Annual Walk of Hope to Benefi t ALS - Lou Gehrig’s Disease - Scheduled for September 7th S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping ( Wakefield, MA) –Walkers are signing up for the 23rd annual Walk of Hope for ALS, a 3.5-mile walk around Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield to benefit The Angel Fund for ALS Research, on Saturday, September 7th. The walk begins with registration at 9 a.m. followed by the start of the walk at 11 a.m. The release of doves in honor of those living with ALS and those who have lost their courageous to the disease will be held prior to the start of the walk. The Angel Fund for ALS Research is a nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting the ALS research of Dr. Robert Brown, Jr. and his team at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester. ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive, always fatal neuromuscular disease which leads to muscle productive meeting and MassDEP will now proceed to a feasibility phase to determine the location that best meets logistical needs, such as having an electrical source present and suffi cient access. MassDEP is working with the Saugus Board of Health and the town to fi nd a location to install air quality monitors that are designed to measure fi ne particulates and carbon-based emissions. These monitors will provide real-time air quality data that the public can access via MassDEP’s MassAir Online database and the EPA’s Air Now database. MassDEP is responsible for maintaining 24 stations across Massachusetts that collect air quality data. This data is then submitted to the EPA to ensure Massachusetts air quality complies with the regulations of the Clean Air Act. When MassDEP published its 2023 report listing the stations Saugus offi cials are shown meeting with the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection (Mass-DEP), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mass. Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to scout potential sites. where air quality would be monitored for the next year, the agency heard during the report’s comment period from residents in Saugus, Lynn and Revere who suggested establishing a regulatory air monitor station in Saugus. MassDEP is tasked with managing the site in East Saugus. MassDEP’s Air Assessment Branch Deputy Division Director, Sean Dunn, explained that one monitor at the Saugus site would measure fi ne air particulates of 2.5 microns or less and 10 microns or less; the other monitor would measure carbon emissions, such as diesel and wood smoke. MassDEP plans to utilize federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to pay for the air quality monitors housed in Saugus. The goal behind the Rumney Marsh site visits was to identify an area that is feasible, acceptable to DCR and representative of public exposure, Dunn explained. He called the Aug. 19 meeting a “great step forward,” adding that he would like to get the air quality monitors installed as quickly as possible – if all goes well with site feasibility determinations. Town Manager Scott Crabtree said he was impressed to see elected and appointed town officials, residents and MassDEP and EPA representatives come together to make signifi cant progress on the siting of air quality monitors in the Rumney Marsh area. “This was a very professional and organized meeting and I think we made some positive headway,” Crabtree said. “The community asked for air quality monitors in Saugus and we are trying to meet that need. We look forward to the Commonwealth getting these monitors up-andrunning that will provide residents with informed data on air quality conditions in our community. It’s always great for the town to collaborate with state and federal agencies for a common goal.” weakness and as it progresses, results in total paralysis and the inability to speak and swallow while the mind and senses remain intact. Walkers of all abilities are encouraged to participate as individuals or as a team. To register as a walker or to register a team, log-on to The Angel Fund website at www.theangelfund.org or call the organization at 781-245-7070. In addition to the walk around Lake Quannapowitt, the event includes activities ALS | SEE PAGE 15
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