Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Wednesday, November 27, 2019 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Count your blessings, Saugus The families of Saugus have a lot to look forward to next year with the opening of the new Saugus Middle-High School. Who wouldn’t want to be going into brand-new school facilities instead of the old and deficient ones the town has had for many years? But as the recently released “District Review Report of Saugus Public Schools” points out, improvements in the town’s school district are a work in progress. It’s not just about the building. As a courtesy to our readers, we are publishing a series of articles about the 90-page report, which should eventually be posted on the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. While the report focuses on a host of deficiencies that need to be addressed in order to make meaningful improvements in the town’s education system, it can be used as a valuable resource as it is somewhat of a blueprint or guide for the new School Committee, the school administration, principals, teachers and concerned parents. It does acknowledge a lot of positives that are going on as the town strives for a better public education system. And it does offer numerous recommendations. Happy Thanksgiving to our readers and all town residents. Welcome new Christmas tree That 31-foot tall Norway spruce which Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree said was going to be planted on the island near the Civil War monument in Saugus Center has arrived. This will be the replacement tree for the one that was mowed down in July by a 31-year-old Lynn man driving an SUV. So, town workers will be able to string some Christmas lights on that tree for the annual town tree lighting event, which is set for Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. I hear Santa will be joining the crowd again. Stay tuned for details. MEG Foundation Christmas Festival The Ninth Annual Christmas Tree Festival opens Friday (Nov. 29) from 3 to 8 p.m. at the MEG Foundation Building at 5458 Essex St. in Saugus. On Saturday, Nov. 30, the festival will be open at the same time. If you miss those dates, there’s still more time – on Dec. 1, 5, 6 and 7 – during the same hours. All are welcome to join the celebration in this historic building, enjoying a cup of hot cocoa, cookies and other refreshments. On Dec. 6 and 7, there will be beautiful, live music, sponsored by the New Hope Assembly of God Church. Raffle tickets will be available for those interested in winning a beautiful tree full of goodies and surprises, homemade wreaths and/ or gift baskets. Admission to all events is free. For further information contact Linda Ross at (617) 686-4645 or our special elf Kathy Giannetta at (781) 231-2842 Want to represent Precinct 10 at Town Meeting? Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian provided this reminder to anyone who still has an interest in filling a vacancy in his precinct, which is currently one short of the five members: “December 2nd is the final day for any resident of Precinct 10 to submit an e mail or letter of interest to fill the vacant town meeting seat. The remaining 4 town meeting members must fill the vacancy left by the election of Michael Serino to the Board of Selectmen. You are a resident of Precinct 10 if your polling place is the Italian American Club. If interested you can submit an email to precinct10@yahoo.com or by US Mail to: “Precinct 10 Vacancy “50 Ballard Street “Saugus, MA 01906” Volunteer civic opportunities galore If you didn’t get elected to public office this fall or wish you ran, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in public service to Saugus. You can still help the town out in a constructive fashion. You don’t have to get elected to perform some public service. Become a part of the town’s future. Here’s a few opportunities you might want to check out. The Saugus Board of Selectmen is accepting applications for the following appointments: the Affordable Housing Trust Board of Trustees, the Cemetery Commission and the Cultural Council. These are volunteer/nonpaid positions for Saugus residents. Those interested in any of these may submit a letter of interest /resume no later than Nov. 27 to: Saugus Board of Selectmen Saugus Town Hall, Suite #4 298 Central St. Saugus, MA More volunteer positions If you are not interested in the positions advertised by the Board of Selectmen – or you are too slow to apply – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree is looking to fill several positions. The Saugus Town Manager is accepting resumes/applications from Saugus residents for several volunteer positions on the following Boards or Commissions: Board of Assessors: The responsibility of this Board is to annually determine the full and fair market value of all real SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 16
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