SAUGUS Vol. 23, No. 43 -FREE“It’s not going to turn into a screaming match” Heffernan seeks productive talks as Health Board creates Wheelabrator subcommittee to work with the company on issues of town concern The Advocate–A Household Word in Saugus! DOC TE OC www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday MEETING OF THE MINDS: After several years of acrimony marked by countless executive sessions for the purpose of discussing litigation against the operators of the Wheelabrator Saugus trash-to-energy incinerator on Route 107 in East Saugus, the town’s Board of Health this week created a special subcommittee of citizens and town offi cials to work with the company in resolving neighborhood issues and concerns at the plant. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Mark E. Vogler) By Mark E. Vogler T he Board of Health has created an 11-member subcommittee composed of town offi cials and residents to work together with Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. in resolving a wide range of issues related to the company’s trash-to-energy plant on Route 107. “We’ll get this thing rolling. I think it’s going to be a good thing,” Board Chair William Heffernan said toward the end of Tuesday’s (Oct. 20) 18-minute meeting after the board voted 3-0 to establish the special panel, which is expected to begin meeting early next month. At the outset of the meeting, Heff ernan declared the mission of “this subcommittee is to engage in productive discussions WHEELABRATOR | SEE PAGE 5 CAT 781-233-4446 E Friday, October 23, 2020 Knitting for a cause Eleanor Bourque, of Saugus, knits one of her beige and brown slippers for servicemen and women. She’s a member of the Saugus Knitting Club who meet in the parking lot of the Saugus Senior Center on Tuesday afternoons and donate their time to create items that will go to troops, the homeless and premature babies and others who will appreciate the gifts during these challenging days of COVID-19. See page 12 for story and photo highlights. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) Why hasn’t the Planning Board been meeting? Precinct 2 Town Meeting member Joe Vecchione seeks a public explanation for board’s eight months of inactivity By Mark E. Vogler T he Saugus Planning Board hasn’t met in more than eight months – not since Gov. Charlie Baker began issuing shutdown orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic back in March. Town Hall, the Roby School Administration Building, the Town Hall Annex and other locations where government bodies assembled haven’t reopened yet. But, soon after the shutdown of municipal buildings, the Saugus Retirement Board and the School Committee resumed their public meetings without having to leave their homes or offi ces through Zoom Video Conference meetings. The Board of Selectmen also got back to meeting – by “Zoom” – in April. Other major town bodies followed over the spring and summer months – except for the Planning Board, which last met on Feb. 20 in the Town Hall Annex Meeting Room. So, when is the Planning Board going to meet again and why has it been taking so long to schedule their fi rst meeting since the winter? Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joe Vecchione has been seeking answers for months and fi nally pressed for a public explanation two weeks ago when he emailed the fi ve members of the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. Vecchione requested a discussion at last week’s (Oct. 13) board meeting “regarding the status of the Planning Board and when they can and will resume their duties.” “While the construction moratorium on multi-family housing is not set to expire until next Spring, BOARD | SEE PAGE 4 ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 Regular Unleaded $1.919 MidUnleaded $2.399 Super $2.459 Diesel Fuel $2.279 KERO $4.159 Diesel $1.959 HEATING OI 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 Prices subject to change HAPPY FALL! Y FLEET
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