SAUGUS Check out the NEW ADVOCATE ONLINE: www.advocatenews.net OCODDV C TECATAT Vol. 25, No. 46 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, November 18, 2022 VETERANS DAY HEROES Recycling Old School Buildings Town offi cials begin the long process of how to make future use of them By Mark E. Vogler T own Manager Scott C. Crabtree said there’s one defi nite scenario about how the town will make use of six retired school buildings: One of them will become the future home of the Youth & Recreation Department. “They’re in a building right now that there’s not even a playground,” Crabtree said Monday (Nov. 14) night, referring to the agency’s current quarters at 400 Central St. “Everyone agrees the Youth & Rec needs more space to work to expand their programs,” he said. The town manager and the Board of Selectmen hosted a citizen’s forum in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall to get public feedback on possible uses of the vacant buildings. About 40 people attended the forum. Any one of the three eleWorld War II army veteran Robert “Boots” Chouinard and his daughter Mary Ann Fitzgerald relaxed in Veterans Park following his keynote speech at Veterans Day ceremonies. Please see inside for more photos and Veterans Day coverage. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....Wonderful family Colonial filled with potential! Bring your imagination to 14 Harvard Avenue! Colonial style home offers 10 rooms and 6 bedrooms spanning 3 levels, original detailed woodwork and hardwood flooring. Three seasons front porch leads you to an open entryway, living room with fireplace, tiled kitchen with half bath, dining area, with wall of windows overlooking yard and Saugus river. Sunlit staircase with stained glass windows leading to second floor with full bathroom and flexible layout, 4+ bedrooms or office space, third floor hosts an additional two bedrooms. Four car driveway, carport, and yard with two storage sheds. Don’t miss this opportunity! Offered at $499,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com DIESEL TRUCK STOP mentary school buildings – the Oaklandvale School, the Lynnhurst School and the Waybright School – that were turned over by Saugus Public Schools to the Town of Saugus earlier this year are potential sites because of the playing fields on their properties. Selectmen also made it clear that they oppose any sale of the school properties. “There is no appetite to sell these buildings and put up high-rise apartments,” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta said, a position shared by each of the selectmen. Selectman Jeff Cicolini noted, “There’s an appetite for a dog park, more green space and more parks… A lot falls into the purview of our Master Plan. We know we don’t need seven parks. They can’t all be parks.” Selectman Mike Serino said his “main concern” is to make sure that the neighborhoods are protected. Crabtree told the crowd that the town is lucky to have the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site and Breakheart Reservation because it lacks open space. Selectmen and Crabtree listened to a number of suggestions about how to use the old schoolhouses. Precinct 9 Town Meeting Member Judy Worthley said many of the constituents in her precinct want to see a fire station. “If it’s feasible, we’d like it to be considered,” Worthley said. But Crabtree noted that the Oaklandvale School is only a mile and a half from the central fire station. He said there were more preferable locations that would provide better coverage of the town’s west end. “We will find a spot, even if RECYCLING | SEE PAGE 2 MARCHETTI CORP. 59 4.25 4.55 5.57 By Container Only 5.15 DEF SALE! $13.99/ 2.5 gals
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