SAUGUS SHS Sachems Sports Coverage— see pages 16 & 17 ADVOCATE Vol. 22, No. 41 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 “Call it anything except the truth” Rep. Vincent says the DEP misled her about its preliminary ECP for Wheelabrator; public hearing on ECP set for Tuesday in Saugus By Mark E. Vogler S tate Rep. RoseLee Vincent says the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) deceived her on what its draft approval of the Emission Control Plan (ECP) for Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc.’s trash-to-energy plant in Saugus will require. Upon further review of a document she complimented the agency for producing last month, Vincent said this week that it has a hidden provision that will actually provide the public with less protection than she previously thought. Wheelabrator will be able to buy emissions reductions credits from other facilities in order to comply with new regulations. Vincent said she has changed her mind about the DEP document and plans to oppose it rather than support it when she testifies at a public hearing set for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 15) in the auditorium of Saugus High School. The DEP is hosting the hearing to give the public a chance to comment before the plan is adopted. “When I first read the DEP draft, I actually believed that DEP meant what they said – ‘that Wheelabrator Saugus, would be required to meet the new standards of 150 Particles per million of nitrogen oxides’ – which are poisonous, highly reactive gases!” Vincent told The Advocate. “But the truth is that the emissions coming out of the incinerator stack in Saugus will not meet the 150 ppm at all. It was all smoke and mirrors, fuzzy math – call it anything except the truth. The truth is that the DEP is going to allow the Saugus incinerator to buy emissions reduction credits [ERCs] from othFriday, October 11, 2019 er facilities that actually emit lower levels of nitrogen oxides and give those credits to Saugus,” she said in an interview Wednesday night. “So on paper they appear to be in compliance, but in reality the Saugus incinerator is emitting much higher levels of NOx than any other incinerator in the state and much higher than the new standard. This is another disturbing example of how DEP turns a blind eye, and a deaf ear to the people I represent when it comes to issues with WHEELABRATOR | SEE PAGE 9 ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ Saugus School Committee candidates express views on recent MCAS results Editor’s Note: For this week’s paper, we decided to begin a series of weekly questions to the 10 candidates for the SauA LOOK AT THE FUTURE: This artist rendering shows what the New Saugus Middle-High School will look like upon its completion. Some local officials have called this the centerpiece of a major turnaround in the town’s public education system. But what do the candidates for Saugus School Committee think about key issues affecting the schools? This week, we get their views on recent MCAS test results. (Courtesy artist rendering to The Saugus Advocate) ~ Home of the Week ~ EAST BOSTON....Mixed Use Building - Nicely located Store Front with two residential apartments above. Store is leased for $3,000, 3 room, 2 bedroom apartment and 4 room, 2 bedroom apartment. All separate gas utilities and electric meters, corner lot, according to seller roof approximately 6 years old, water approximately $1,400 per year, insurance $3,000 per year. All rents are below market value - great visibility and opportunity with tons of foot traffic. Property will be delivered vacant of all residential tenants. Offered at $850,000 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com gus School Committee who will be on the ballot for the Nov. 5 Town Elections. There is a lack of candidate forums and so little opportunity for voters to see the candidates on the same level field at one time as they campaign for this important twoyear elected office. Therefore, we decided to dedicate this space to questions related to Saugus Public Schools so our readers will be better informed when they go to the polls and vote for the five candidates they want to be members of the next School Committee. For this week’s question, a little background is necessary. The recent release of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test results – the subject of a Sept. 27 page one story in The Saugus Advocate (“A Split MCAS report card for Saugus) – shows contrasting outcomes, both excellent and poor. The Lynnhurst Elementary School is one of 67 on the “School of Recognition” list for remarkable results in the state’s 2019 MCAS tests. Meanwhile, Saugus High School and Belmonte Middle School are among the 132 schools classified “among the lowest 10 percent of schools in the state” that were determined to be “in need of focused/targeted support.” The two schools were also classified as “requiring assistance or intervention” by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Overall, 71 percent of schools across the state received a 2019 Cumulative Target Percentage of ASKS | SEE PAGE 10 ANGELO’S FULL "Over 40 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2019 Regular Unleaded $2.379 Mid Unleaded $2.799 Super $2.859 Diesel Fuel $2.779 KERO $4.759 Diesel $2.599 SERVICE HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS FROM SUPPORTER TO CRITIC: State Rep. RoseLee Vincent has withdrawn her support of the state’s preliminary Emission Control Plan for Wheelabrator Saugus, which will be the subject of a public hearing at Saugus High School at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. (Saugus Advocate file photo) Prices subject to change FLEET
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