Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, December 6, 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. Selectmen’s goals and objectives The agenda for Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting (7 p.m. in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall) notes there will be a meeting set to discuss selectmen goals. That could turn out to be a most productive session as Saugus Town government gets primed for the 2020 calendar year. Setting goals is always good for the betterment of the community. I noticed that citizen comments have dwindled in recent weeks. If voters have a few good ideas, why not turn out to Tuesday night’s meeting and share them with your new Board of Selectmen? The future of vacant School Buildings Speaking of plans, what does the future hold for the future of vacant School Buildings in Saugus? In less than a year, the new Saugus Middle-High School (grades 6 through 12) will be opening. The target date for the Middle School is in the spring while the new High School will open in the fall. Now is the time for citizens to kick around ideas on how to use the school buildings that will no longer be used for classrooms. There are all sorts of options. Now is a good time for citizen groups and individuals to make their pitch. Some holiday Shout-Outs Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo, a frequent “shout-out” contributor, definitely has the holiday spirit. “I have a ‘Shout Out’ for the town’s DPW workers,” Jeanie wrote this week. “It’s hard work putting up the Christmas Tree lights. I know from personal experience when the town had an Emergency Management Department (SEMA) and I was a member. For many years we put up the Christmas lights in Saugus Center and Cliftondale Square,” she said. “So I know the amount of work that goes into it. You have to test each plug and re-bulb each strand of lights, tens of thousands of bulbs, before you can hang them, then you have to lay appropriately 2 miles of electrical cords to connect all of them together testing each section as you go. By the way, you do all this in the freezing cold! So a huge “Shout Out” to the DPW guys, the Tree Lighting could not happen without you, thank you!” Want to “Shout-Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents, or an act of kindness or nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with the mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout-Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. Report on Saugus schools As a courtesy to our readers, we plan to publish 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. MEG Foundation Christmas Festival The Ninth Annual Christmas Tree Festival continues through its second weekend, beginning today (Friday, Dec. 6) from 3 to 8 p.m. at the MEG Foundation Building at 54-58 Essex St. in Saugus. There will be more time tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 7) over the same hours. On Sunday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., lucky winners will be contacted to pick up their prizes. All are welcome to join the celebration in this historic building, enjoying a cup of hot cocoa, cookies and other refreshments. Today and tomorrow, there will be beautiful, live music sponsored by 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 Annual Tree & Santa Holiday Fest! The Friends of Breakheart Reservation invite you to our Annual Tree & Santa Holiday Fest, set for Sunday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center at Breakheart Reservation. Come enjoy the holiday spirit with the Friends of Breakheart Reservation as we celebrate inside the Visitors Center! * Meet Santa by the Fireplace! *Crafts for kids! Hang ornaments! * Holiday music, tree, hot chocolate and cookies * Visit the Friends Gift Shoppe ~ Thank You for supporting the Friends! This event is free and open to the public ~ donations to the nonprofit Friends of Breakheart are greatly appreciated and allow us to fund these events. For more information please call Breakheart at (781) 233-0834. Visit us at the Friends’ website: www.friends-of-breakheart.org. “Like” us on Facebook! Volunteer civic opportunities galore If you didn’t get elected to public office this fall or wish you ran, there’s 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 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 estate in the town. Guidelines are set by the Dept. of Revenue, Bureau of Local Assessment. Board of Health: They are responsible for protecting and serving the citizens in health areas, such as food sanitation, restaurants, markets, and compliance with the state sanitary and other health codes, as well as emergency preparedness. Medical degree or physicians preferred. Boats and Waterways Commission: The responsibilities of these positions are to provide a clear, effective and professional policy that will ensure the interests of commercial, fishing and recreational boating and that the waterways will be accessible to all citizens. One position requires that the person be a waterway-abutting homeowner with no commercial interest in waterways or adjacent lands. One position requires that the person be a Saugus Town Meeting Member. Commission on Disabilities: The responsibilities of these positions are to answer questions and provide referral guidance regarding disability-related issues in accordance with the Massachusetts General Laws. Conservation Commission: The Commission’s responsibility is to preserve the natural resources of Saugus and to protect the remaining open spaces, wild life, salt marshes, and ponds, and restore streams and the Saugus River to their natural state. Historical Commission: The Commission’s responsibility is to preserve and register all historical sites in Saugus. Planning Board: The Board’s responsibilities are to hear, review and vote on the applications proposed to the Town regarding subdivision plans, zoning special permits, rezoning issues and site plan review of permits. Youth and Recreation: The Commission was established for the purpose of carrying out programs, including but not limited to, those designed to meet the opportunities, challenges and problems of the youngsters of the town. If you are interested in volunteering and are a resident of Saugus, please submit a letter of interest and resume by Friday, December 20, 2019, to: Saugus Town Manager, 298 Central St., Suite 1, Saugus, MA 01906 or email Cmoreschi@ saugus-ma.gov. Annual Advent Festival coming up Debora de Paula Hoyle, Administrative Assistant at Cliftondale Congregational Church, reports that the church will host its Annual Advent Festival at the church on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Advent Festival activities include a spaghetti dinner, crafts for children and adults, Christmas photos and a carol sing-along. “Join us for an evening of free Christmas fun for the whole family,” Debbie wrote us in an email. “All are invited!” The church is located at 50 Essex St. Parking is available on Essex Street and at Kowalsky Insurance at 544 Lincoln Ave. Breakfast at Legion Hall Cpl. Scott J. Procopio Saugus American Legion Post 210 is in its seventh year of Friday morning breakfasts. The doors open at 7:30 a.m. at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus. Breakfast is served from 8 to 9 a.m. The breakfasts will run through the end of May with the exception of school vacations or Fridays when there is no school. A $6 donation is requested, with all proceeds going to help the Legion operate. Everyone is welcome, according to John Cannon, the cook on duty. Main attractions at the Saugus Public Library There’s always something interesting or entertaining going on at the Saugus Public Library – for people of all ages – from young children to senior citizens. Here are a few events to check out: • Holiday Ornament Craft, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 4 to 6 p.m. in the Brooks Room; ages 11 to 18. Use glitter, confetti, bells, pompoms and other fun supplies to fill glass ornaments. Bring your friends. No sign up necessary. • Game Night, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Community Room, ages 18 to 12. Play one of ours or bring your own game. Sponsored by the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library. • Christmas Story Time with Ornament Craft & Treats, with Kelly, Thursday, Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m.; ages four and up. • Winter Songs with Sarah Gardner, Thursday, Dec. 19, 10:30; ages 0zero to five. • Hot Diggity Dog! Cozy stories for a Cold Winter’s Day and craft; Saturday, Dec. 28, at 3:30 p.m. • Annual Food for Fines – now through Feb. 29. The library will help you so that you may help others. If you have overdue fines, the library will reduce your fines in return for donations of nonperishable food, Donations will be given to local food pantries. Your fines will be reduced $1 for each item donated. Please don’t drop off expired food. • Friendship Storytime on Fridays continues. This special program for children, which begins at 9:30 a.m., is sponsored by the Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Grant. It can help parents nurture their child’s social and early literacy skills with structured story time. • Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten Playgroup! This playgroup, which is sponsored by the Coordinated Family & Community Engagement SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 17
17 Publizr Home