Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 10, 2023 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus! Tomorrow, the nation celebrates Veterans Day, a special holiday that commemorates the service of all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces – not to be confused with Memorial Day – a day which honors those Americans who died while serving their country in the military. The origin of Veterans Day goes back to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when hostilities of World War I ended when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. The day originally known as Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. Saugus residents who take pride in their community and their country should head down to Veterans Park at the corner of Central and Winter Streets for a low key ceremony that is set to begin at about 11 a.m., rain or shine. If you go, take the time to show your appreciation for every veteran you make eye contact with. Thank them for their service to the nation. If you are down in Saugus Center, take the time to view the Veterans Day Field of Flags on the front lawn of Saugus Town Hall, which was organized by the Parson Roby Chapter of the DAR. The flags were planted in this patriotic display in memory of veterans – living and dead. Some kind person who knows the story of my late twin brother, Lance – a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force and died on Memorial Day 1978 in a motorcycle accident – had a miniature flag placed in the Field of Flags for the second consecutive year. I plan to be in Saugus to take a look at that flag and reflect. All of the veterans who attend the Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park are invited to attend a collation after the ceremony at VFW Post 2346, also known as Staff Sgt. Arthur F. De Franzo Post, which is located at 190 C Main St. in Saugus. CHaRM facility/Compost Site closed tomorrow The Town of Saugus announced that the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (ChaRM) facility/Compost Site located at 515 Main St. will be closed tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. The CHaRM facility/Compost Site will reopen on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-2314036 with any questions. For more information about the Town of Saugus, visit www.saugus-ma.gov. A recipe for reform Even though voters defeated Ballot Question 1 in this week’s biennial town election, they have begun what could be a meaningful conversation on how to improve Saugus town government. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard several people suggest that Town Meeting create a standing committee to consider possible changes or updates in the Saugus Town Charter. There has been some talk about staggered terms for both the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. I have heard several town officials recommend expansion of the 50-member Town Meeting body. Whether the Moving Saugus Forward Committee intended so or not, they set in motion the opportunity for Saugus to take a look at its current form of government and decide whether anything can be done to improve it so it better serves its citizens. Food Pantry notes The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Nov. 10) from 9:30-11 a.m. Legion Breakfast today There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2023-24 season. Doors open at 7:30, with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served for free. Special “Shout Outs” We have several nominations this week: From Town Clerk Ellen Schena: “On behalf of the Clerk’s Office, we would like to thank all those involved during the Local Town Election and every Election. Starting with Superintendent Hashem, having us use the schools as 6 polling locations. The Senior Center encompassing their building for 2 precincts. As well as, the Knights of Columbus and the Italian American Club, each hosting a precinct. A big thank you to Building Maintenance and DPW that do a great job setting up all 10 precincts in one day before the elections. Thank you to the Saugus Police that not only secure VETERANS DAY FIELD OF FLAGS: To honor veterans on Veterans Day, the Parson Roby Chapter of the DAR has planted an arrangement of flags on the front lawn outside Saugus Town Hall. (Courtesy Photo of Joanie Allbee) the precincts, but help up during the day with anything the election workers and our office need. To the Board of Registrars that tirelessly aid the Town Clerk’s office, thank you. Lastly and most important, THANK YOU to all the Elections Workers that worked Tuesday. As always you did a fantastic job.” From Laura Eisener: “I really enjoyed reading Heather Savoie’s poem ‘The Prowler’ - certainly a moving piece of work reflecting the concerns many people feel about this animal. I’d like to shout out this local writer’s work!” We have several “Shout Outs” this week from Precinct Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo: “Once again some after Election Comic Relief is needed. This ‘Shout Out’ is for all the LAWN SIGNS in town for the candidates who had one. These sturdy, trusty, hard working LAWN SIGNS withstood sun, rain, wet leaves, and near hurricane winds for the owners and have earned a well deserved rest and a ‘Shout Out.’ “I would like to thank all the residents of Precinct 6 who voted for me to serve another term as your representative Town Meeting Member. I am truly grateful for your continued faith in me and the ability to serve our community. “I have another ‘Shout Out’: I was at the Senior Center after the polls closed last night [Tuesday, Nov. 7th] when Sebastian DiModica IV learned he lost his bid for Selectman. This ‘Shout Out’ is for him because he was the epitome of a gentleman on how he handled the news and earned my respect. I tip my hat to him!” Sue Fleming provided the following “Shout Out”: “I would like to give a Shout Out to the Saugus Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the opportunity to have a flag placed in front of Town Hall to honor Veterans. It gave me the opportunity to honor my husband, an Air Force Veteran and in memory of my mother, a Navy Veteran. We need to thank all Veterans for their service and keeping our country safe. Thank You!!” Former Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Chris Riley introduced the article earlier this year which sought to have the area known as Veterans Park formally and finally have a sign installed on-site. He offered the following multiple “Shout Outs”: “Thank you to Saugus Town Meeting for unanimously supporting this project, Dan Prezioso Sr for creating the sign, Dan Mahoney for making the sign posts, Pat Roche and crew at Stefano’s Landscaping for installation, Saugus Veterans Council for help with design, and Town Manager Scott Crabtree. All were very generous with their time and talent and I am very grateful.” Joe Vecchione sent this “Shout Out” our way: “Just wanted to send a shout out to you and the Saugus Advocate for this week’s paper for organizing the Charter Forums and Saugus Over Coffee along with continuous unbiased local coverage over the Election Season. We are lucky to have you here. “Also, congratulations to all of the candidates that were elected and to the Precinct 2 constituency for their support the past 4 years as I move on from Town Meeting opting to not seek re-election.” Selectman Michael Serino sent us this mega “Shoutout”: “I would like to thank the voters of Saugus who had the trust and confidence in me by re-electing me to the Board of Selectmen. I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead over the next two years. Saugus is a great community to live in and I will do my best to make it even better.” Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 16
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