Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020 proposed veterans housing project in East Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Developer agrees to a month’s continuance on T he consultant for a developer seeking to build a 24-unit veterans housing project in East Saugus promises to make part of the public file a legal opinion which he says supports his client’s claim for special status under the Dover Amendment – a state law that allows for exemptions for nonprofit organizations. Richard A. Salvo, of Engineering Alliance, Inc. of Saugus, the civil engineering and land planning consultants hired by the Revere-based nonprofit organization Rising Community & Housing, Inc., also agreed to a continuance of Wednesday’s public hearing so the lawyer for neighbors who oppose the project can study the peer review report he submitted at the Oct. 14 Conservation Commission meeting. “We’re happy to continue this to the next Conservation Commission hearing,” Salvo said. He also said he had no problem including compensatory storage in the developer’s plan to reduce the potential for flooding at 206 Lincoln Ave. – site of the former Amato’s Liquor Store. Neighbors who live near the 23,000-squarefoot site where the project is planned say they worry that allowing the development will only worsen chronic flooding conditions for homeowners in the immediate area. The Conservation Commission voted to continue the hearing to their next meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18. Salvo offered to produce the legal opinion defending his client’s Dover Amendment claim, agreed to additional flood mitigation and to the month-long continuance after being challenged by Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian. “I know the town has received a legal opinion that this is not a Dover site,” Manoogian said. At the same time, the developer has failed to produce its own legal opinion which asserts its Dover Amendment status, according to Manoogian. It would be unfair for the Conservation Commission to vote on accepting the notice of intent for the project because it would deprive the attorney representing the neighbors who oppose the project the opportunity to study the peer review report. During Wednesday night’s meeting, two representatives of BETA Group presented a peer review that determined there were no major issues of concern with the engineering aspects of the project. “No fatal flaws in the original design,” BETA’s Todd Undis said “This project would undoubtedly result in net improvement of stormwater runoff,” he said. Laura Krause, also of BETA Group, said it is up to the Conservation Commission as to whether members want to require compensatory storage. Krause said “minimal grading to provide some additional flood storage” is not required by the regulations, but could be included by the Conservation Commission. Salvo later agreed to accept that. Many of the people who testified Wednesday night were town officials who expressed opposition to the project. In addition to Manoogian, fellow Precinct 10 Town Meeting Members Martin Costello, Darren Ring and Steven C. DiVirgilo all said it would have an adverse impact on homeowners that they represent. Selectmen Michael Serino DEVELOPER | SEE PAGE 21 ~ POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT ~ ANTHONY CAGGIANO ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR NE METROPOLITAN REGIONAL VOKE SCHOOL COMMITTEE My name is Anthony Caggiano and I am running for Northeast Metropolitan Regional School Committee. I am a graduate of Revere High School and Suffolk University and a member of Teamsters Local 25 for over 35 years. A growing number of students are attending Northeast Regional and they need a voice on the committee to see that their safety, social and academic well-being are always protected. Anthony’s mother, Marie Sardella, was a secretary at the school in the Special Education Department. His stepfather, Louis Sardella, was the Special Education director for many years until they both retired. Each of Anthony’s three sons are graduates of Northeast Regional. As the climate of the world and out students’ future is readily changing, his focus will be on safety protocols for the students, teachers and staff. He will work closely with the Department of Education and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to see that these safety protocols are Anthony Caggiano being addressed and funded appropriately. Anthony will work with the school administration and other committee members to make sure that their courses are up to date, in order to challenge students to their full potential and to further their education. “I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 3.” Facebook: @ElectAnthonyCaggiano www.ElectCaggiano.com
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