THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 8, 2023 ~ The Advocate Asks ~ Page 3 Town Meeting Member Robert J. Long shares his views on what makes Precinct 9 special and the top issues facing the people he represents Editor’s Note: For this week’s column, we sat down with Town Meeting Member Robert J. Long and asked him what makes Precinct 9 so special and what he sees as the top issues in the Saugus neighborhoods he represents. Long, 85, is a town native and 1956 graduate of Saugus High School. Long received a bachelor of science degree from Northeastern University and his Master’s in Business Administration from Suffolk University. He was honored at the 2017 Founder’s Day as a recipient of the “Person of the Year Award,” which cited his longtime involvement in Saugus local government. Long served as Town Moderator for 18 years (1995 to 2013), on the Board of Selectmen (1987 to 1991), as chairman of the Planning Board (1982 to 1987), on the Town Meeting Site Plan Review Committee and the Route 1 Task Forces #1 and #2, on the Town Meeting Master Plan Committee, on the School Building Needs Committee, on the West Side Fire Safety Committee, on the School Building Committee (before the current one), on the Board of Directors of the Janet Leuci Residence (current) and on the Board of Directors of the Greater Lynn Senior Services (current). He has served an aggregate of 36 years as a Town Meeting member during three different stints (1979-87, 1993-2017 and 2019-present). Long can’t run for reelection as a Precinct 9 Town Meeting member this fall because a realignment of the town voting boundaries has him now living in Precinct 4. But he recently pulled nomination papers to run for a Town Meeting seat in Precinct 4 and also for a seat on the nine-member Charter Commission. He worked for 35 years for MIT, retiring as a senior accounting officer. He worked on government grants and contracts, making overseas trips to Cairo University, as well as working as facilities management in financial controls and budgets. Long and his wife, Carol Russo Long (1960 graduate of Saugus High), celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary earlier this year. They have a daughter, three grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Some highlights of that interview follow: Q: What makes Precinct 9 special? Tell me a little bit about the landmarks and unique features and famous buildings. A: What makes it different is – like North Saugus – the lot sizes are bigger. They are required to be bigger, 20,000 square feet instead of 10,000 square feet, on the east side ASKS | SEE PAGE 6 Precinct 9 Town Meeting Member Robert J. Long relaxed with a coffee after a recent interview. He is one of several Precinct 9 Town Meeting members who are expected to appear at the Saugus Public Library next Monday (Sept. 11) at 6:30 p.m. for the latest “Saugus Over Coffee” forum. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut St. We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! FOUNDER’S DAY 2017: Robert J. Long (right), a longtime participant in Saugus local government, was honored with Ruth Berg with the “Person of the Year Award.” (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-8 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Wednesday Thursday Friday Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Private Parties Private Parties 4-11 p.m. Saturday 12-11 p.m. $9.00 $9.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com
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