THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, October 11, 2019 Page 15 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. I apologize, but let’s blame it on Saugus politics If it weren’t for Saugus’s upcoming town elections (Tuesday, Nov. 5), most if not all of the community items that didn’t make it into The Saugus Advocate last Friday would probably be in the paper. I know that because our “Sounds of Saugus” column was cut it half (the full version ran on our digital Advocate News Online). “Saugus Faith Notes” got bumped, along with a couple of items, including a candidate’s political announcement. If you are angry or disappointed, throw the rotten tomatoes at me next time I’m at Saugus Town Hall. The buck stops with me. I made a firm request to my supervisors in Everett that coverage of the Saugus Town Elections would be a priority as far as news space for the next few weeks. That list of candidates we published on page 3 could have easily accommodated most of the “Sounds” community items that got bumped. But I made the decision that we will run that list through the last Friday before the town elections so that anyone picking up The Saugus Advocate can at least find out who is running for what office. Meanwhile, the guts of the paper will be filled with campaign announcements submitted by candidates who are running. Believe it or not, there are a few town-wide candidates who have made it known that they will not submit their announcements to The Saugus Advocate. Are they for real? They’re turning down free exposure in a free newspaper that circulates town-wide and that many Saugus registered voters read? That just shows how they lack political savvy and probably shouldn’t even be running for public office. Like it’s going to hurt my feelings if you don’t submit an announcement. Actually, what they’re doing is sending a message to our loyal readers that they don’t matter. And there are lots of local readers that look forward to reading The Advocate on Fridays. Some of these folks would never want to invite me out for coffee, but they will pick up the paper because they know there’s information in it that people will be talking about on social media. The Advocate is not going to be endorsing candidates for local offices. However, we would urge the discerning voters to consider the town-wide candidates who have submitted their announcements and participated in the questions. They deserve your consideration. Not the town-wide candidates who don’t think it’s necessary to let voters know how they feel. When we publish our Nov. 1 pre-election edition, we will post the names of those candidates in a box for all of our readers to see. Case closed. Questions to the School Committee You will notice in this week’s edition that we devoted considerable space to Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test results. Now, an encouraging note that’s worth mentioning, eight of the 10 candidates responded to our questions as to their reaction to the latest MCAS test results. We also asked them, if elected as a member of the Saugus School Committee, what specific recommendations they would make to see students in the school district meeting or exceeding the district’s expectations at all grade levels tested. School Committee wannabees Darren S. Ring and William A. Marchand, Jr. were the only two candidates who did not respond to the question. We hope they will take the time to answer our questions for next week’s issue. This is the first time I have initiated a pre-elect project by emails. It’s pretty high-tech and convenient for all of the candidates because they are all social media-literate with emails, which they provided the town clerk’s office. I also sent them letters to their address that will be listed on the town ballot. There is no right or wrong answer. Each candidate simply states how he or she feels in response to questions that should be asked of anyone who wants to be on the Saugus School Committee. Stay tuned, dear readers. Public hearing on Wheelabrator plan on Tuesday night The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) several weeks ago issued a draft approval to Wheelabrator Saugus, Inc., on its pending application to update its existing Emission Control Plan (ECP). Meanwhile, the agency has scheduled a public hearing at the Saugus High School for this coming Tuesday (Oct. 15) at 6:30 p.m. to give the public a chance to comment before the plan is adopted. The highly technical 31-page draft released by the DEP provides emission and compliance schedules for the control of certain pollutants emitted from the Wheelabrator trash-to-energy plant on Route 107. People who don’t plan on attending the public hearing may submit written comments directly to DEP. The public comment period closes at 5 p.m. Oct. 16. Written comments may be submitted to wheelabratorsaugus. massdep@mass.gov. Citizens can also mail written comments to Edward J. Braczyk, Permit Chief, MassDEP-Northeast Regional Office, 205B Lowell St., Wimington, MA 01887. One-Day trash delay due to Observance of Columbus Day The Town of Saugus will run on a one-day delay for trash and recycling collection from Tuesday, Oct. 15 through Saturday, Oct. 19, due to the observance of Columbus Day on Monday (Oct. 14). Residents whose collection day falls on Monday will be collected on Tuesday. Collection will continue to run on a one-day delay for the remainder of the week. The compost site will be open normal hours, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the following days: Saturday, Oct.12; Wednesday, Oct. 16; and Saturday, Oct. 19. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Lorna Cerbone at 781-231-4036 with any questions. “Fifty-three years of giving back” The Saugus Boosters Club will be hosting a special event for Tuesday, Oct. 29 to raise money to fund scholarships for senior athletes. Club members plan to be “Celebrating 53 years of giving back,” from 5 to 7 p.m. at Angela’s Coal Fired Pizza at 890 Broadway (on Route 1 North) in Saugus. Admission is $10.00 per person. “Calling on all Sachem Alumni to help us kick off what looks to be our most successful and aggressive fundraising campaign to date in a celebration of Sachems past, present and future!” declares a flyer that is promoting the event. The Saugus Boosters Club was created to provide encouragement, recognition and honor to athletes participating on the sports teams of Saugus High School. The group’s fundraising efforts over more than half a century have made it possible to provide championship banners that hang on the gym walls, buy jackets to present to athletes and cheerleaders of varsity Division and State Champion teams and award scholarships to senior athletes who compete in varsity sports programs. “The Saugus Boosters Club raises money every year for scholarships for our senior athletes. This past year they gave out 16 scholarships totaling $9,000,” Elizabeth Marchese said. “Our goal this year is to raise even more money and to give out even more scholarships than we did last year. Thus we are beginning our most aggressive campaign year yet and need help to get it out there to as many Sachem alumni as possible,” she said. “We cordially welcome you to kickoff this season of fundraising by joining us on Tuesday, October 29. All food and proceeds have been graciously donated by Angela’s Coal Fired Pizza and 100 percent of the proceeds raised will go back to our Sachem Students!” Gordie at the Garden Club The Saugus Garden Club plans to meet Wednesday night, Oct. 23, at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 256 Central St. Refreshments and the business meeting will get under way at 6:30 p.m., and the program will begin at 7 p.m. A special guest for the evening will be Gordon “Gordie” Shepard, a Saugus native and Vietnam War Vet. He will be speaking on the Riverside Cemetery’s Civil War Restoration Project which he undertook. Randy-Sue Abber will speak on “Garden Hacks: Money savings Hints, Tips and Tricks.” Nancy Sayles and Kathleen Nadeau will update club members and visitors on the relocating and refurbishing of the Saugus Garden Club Butterfly Garden at Breakheart Reservation on Forest Street in Saugus. For more information, call Donna at 781-233-5640 or Lorraine at 781-233-7541. Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? C’mon folks! There are plenty of things around town that should make you feel proud to be from Saugus. And certainly, there are a few folks you would feel like praising publicly. So, we shouldn’t have to go a week without “An Extra Shout Out.” Or, are we just that apathetic or negative about things lately? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with the mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph. Anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. Saugus Blessings Bags for Vets The Saugus Blessings Bags Veterans Donation Drive is gearing up for Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Post 210, 44 Taylor St., Saugus. Bring your donations of new travel-sized toiletries, gloves and socks to aid veterans staying at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home. Meet the team, enjoy refreshments, and help veterans in need who devoted their lives to serving our country. Visit www.saugusblessingsbags.com for more information, or email saugusblessingsbags@outlook.com – @mablessingsbags – (781) 484-2470. Families and Fire Prevention The Saugus Fire Department invites local families to a free Open House next Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families will learn about fire prevention and participate in fire safety activities. The program will highlight the National Fire Protection Association’s Theme “Protect Your Family From Fire.” It’s a great way for families to familiarize themselves with fire safety, household fire hazards and things they can do to make their homes safer. It’s also a great way to teach kids about fire safety. Papa Gino’s will provide free pizza and children’s fire safety coloring sheets at the Open House. The first 100 children will receive a child’s Fire Hat! Kids will also get to meet a special guest, Sparky the Fire Dog. For more information about the Saugus Fire Department open house, call Captain James Hughes or Captain Scott Phelan at 781-941-1170. A Candidate’s Night for Oct. 23 Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) will sponsor a forum for candidates for the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, Oct. 23, starting at 7 p.m. at the Saugus Town Hall Auditorium, 298 Central Street. Doors will be open to the public at 6:30 p.m. for this free event. As in the past, SAVE provides this public-service forum for candidates for the Board of Selectmen so that each candidate can share their views of the critical environmental issues facing our town. The event will also be televised in order to reach as many residents as possible. Candidates’ invitations will be sent out on or shortly after Sept. 20. SAVE hopes the public will plan to attend this informative event. For more information about SAVE, please contact Ann at adevlin@aisle10.net. You can also visit its websites at http://www. saugus.org/SAVE and http:// www.SaugusSAVE.org and follow the link to its Facebook group. Saugus Public Library Foundation Gala set for Oct. 19 Tickets are available for the 5th annual Saugus Public Library Foundation Gala, which will be held next Saturday, Oct. 19, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Saugus Public Library. The event will feature gourmet hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, music and a silent auction. Flower arrangements created by members of the Saugus Garden Club will be on display throughout the library. The Gala will continue the Foundation’s Readers Make Good Leaders promotion, which celebrates and encourages reading throughout the community. Several local residents will be recognized this year as honorees. The 2019 honorees are Gene Decareau, Kathy Blasingame and Saugus High School student Kiley Ronan. Saugus Public Library Foundation President Ed Jeffrey says the annual gala provides “the SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 18
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