Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 7, 2025 TOWN ELECTION 2025 | FROM PAGE 16 Healey-Driscoll Administration and Legislature Fund $500,00 roof upgrades at Saugus Housing Authority T SHARING THEIR VIEWS: All nine candidates for the five Board of Selectmen seats attended a candidates forum last week, Oct. 29, organized by a group of citizens and The Saugus Advocate. (Courtesy photo of SaugusTV) took initiative to run for elected offices,” former Selectman Riley said this week. “It was encouraging to see so many new names with new ideas and energy on the ballot. So to those who ran, and didn’t make it this election, keep involved, volunteer where you can, submit your letters of interest when openings on committees and boards open up,” she said. “There is much you can do outside the elected positions in our town. Best of luck to everyone and make Saugus even a better place! Melrose Arts & Crafts’ Annual Craft Fair Y ou are cordially invited to join in celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Melrose Arts & Crafts Society — 1905-2025. The event will be on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at First Congregational Church (121 West Foster St., Melrose) from 9:00-1.30. The Society was started in 1903 by Mrs. Sterling, wife of the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church on West Emerson Street. In 1905 a constitution was drawn up and the “Tudor Rose” was adopted as the Society’s seal. In honor of this anniversary, Cathy Cormier and members designed and hand embroidered squares representing outreach projects, friendship and what the Society means to them. Please come and see all the different exhibit items our members have lovingly made. Visit our sales, past class and raffle tables, along with the teddy bear and outreach tables. Don’t miss our treasure room, baked goods SCHOOL COMMITTEE | FROM PAGE 11 schools has been reduced to just three. This consolidation, combined with no new funding, has created added strain on class sizes, transportation, and overall student support. Looking ahead, new 40B housing projects underway in town will likely increase enrollment even further, adding pressure to already stretched resources and facilities. Without proactive planning, our schools could face serious overcrowding and staffing challenges in the coming years. Compounding these issues, some district files and records have not been updated since 2010, limiting transparency and the committee’s ability to make fully informed decisions. If elected, I would work with my colleagues to take a responsible, data-driven approach by conducting a meticulous review of all funding to ensure every dollar directly benefits students. I would also lead a comprehensive review of district policies, procedures, records, and emergency plans to bring them up to date and ensure they are followed as set forth by current recommendations. Finally, I believe in strengthening communication with families, educators, and the community to maintain transparency and accountability. By modernizing our systems, planning responsibly for future growth, and keeping stuhe Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities table and the demonstrations throughout the day. Afterward, please sit and enjoy a complimentary cup of tea, coffee and goodies. Any questions, please ask any of our members about the Society and membership. We would love to have you drop in and visit us at any of our monthly meetings. All are welcome. We are a nonprofit organization. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Melrose Cultural Council. dents at the center of every decision, we can ensure that Saugus schools remain strong, safe, and well-prepared to meet the needs of every student. Gould: I believe the biggest challenge for Saugus School District is adequate funding in line to support the District vision, curriculum, student transportation and Teacher Staffing. The past budget cycle, School District received over one Million $ less than the detailed bottoms up that Teachers, Administrators, Principals, Directors and Superintendent recommended, approved by School Committee and presented to the Town Manager. This resulted in the loss of five grade 2-5 Teachers, causing one less class per grade increasing our class sizes, and a has announced that construction upgrades are underway at public housing authorities across the state, thanks to meaningful investments that were finalized by the HealeyDriscoll Administration this summer. The funds, authorized through the Affordable Homes Act passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Maura Healey, support upgrades to state-funded public housing across Massachusetts. The Saugus Housing Authority has received $555,492.17 for roof replacement. “Investing in our public housing authorities is important to make sure their buildings are safe, comfortable, and meet the energy efficiency needs of current times,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) “We’re proud to allocate funding Librarian, causing MSHS Library to be closed, the lack of funding for stand by lists for potential added bus, other reductions and shifting of School resources. In my opinion, grades 2-5 are the most important grades for building students the base they need for success in Junior and High School. With the added costs for new Vocational School, potential third fire station, added fire staffing and continued cost of inflation for the normal operational costs and facilities, the Town has a lot on its plate to match any increase of revenue with Town and School needs. It is important to work early on in budget process with Town Manager as well, beto support these projects and appreciate the partnership of the HealeyDriscoll Administration to advocate for our public housing authorities.” “The funding provided to the Saugus Housing Authority is vital to ensuring the longevity and quality of public housing in our district,” said Representative Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere). “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been a strong partner to the 16th Suffolk, listening to our needs and delivering critical investments that help maintain and upgrade our public assets.” “This funding is essential to upgrading and ensuring the safety of our state-funded public housing buildings,” said Representative Donald Wong. “We must maintain these buildings to protect the well-being of the residents who rely on them.” cause even though the School District may complete due diligence to come up with detailed budget, it is the Town Manager who then reviews Town and School budgets and comes up with what he recommends for the School Budget. In recent history, Town Manager has recommended a million $ or more less than School Committee approved budget, and that is what is presented to Selectmen, Finance Committee and Town Meeting. Once it goes to Town Meeting, it is almost impossible to increase School Budget because you must show and have Town Meeting vote on what would be lowered from the Town Budget side to offset School increase or identify other revenues to cover the increase.
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