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Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 8, 2023 A Saugus police offi cer from a legacy lawman’s family gets lieutenant’s promotion F red Forni, a third generation Saugus Police officer, was recently promoted to lieutenant. Forni is a 27year veteran of the department, serving the last decade as a sergeant. Law enforcement runs deep in the Forni family. Lt. Forni’s father – the late Frederick Louis Forni – served for 11 years as a patrolman. His career as a cop was cut short in 1969 when he was seriously wounded in a gun battle with three armed robbers that claimed the life of Saugus Officer Augustine Belmonte. Patrolman Forni died in August 2021 – 52 years later – from complications of his gunshot wound to the chest. The new lieutenant is the grandson of the late Frederick Forni, who served as Saugus Police Chief from 1963 to 1978. He was in charge when his son suffered the career-ending bullet wound. Saugus Police Detective Stacey Forni is married to Lt. Forni. She was hired by the Police Department in 1995 and worked as a patrolman until 2013 when she was assigned to a detective position. She specializes in handling domestic assault and domestic violence cases. The Fornis have two children. Lt. Forni’s brother, Michael, is a trooper with the Massachusetts State Police. RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882 JOHN MACKEY & ASSOCIATES ~ Attorneys at Law ~ * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES 14 Norwood Street Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.JMACKEYLAW.COM PROMOTED: Recently appointed Saugus Police Lt. Fred Forni (center) is congratulated by Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli (left) and Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) CHALLENGE | FROM PAGE 4 committee also created a Respondent Evaluation Rubric, which ranked the respondents on fi ve key categories: their response, business model, impact, location and direct experience. Triple M Ventures finished third in the ranking, with 92 points. The committee expressed major concerns about the proposed dispensary site at 1393 Broadway, the current home of All Tune & Lube car repair services. The proposed site is not able to support enough parking for the proposed dispensary. There are concerns about access off of Route 1. The site also abuts a residential neighborhood and is located very close to the Saugus Middle-High School. Conclusion: “The proposed location does not meet the Town’s zoning by-laws. In addition, the Respondent did not submit what was required in the RFI related to the planning, approvals, and time required to make the proposed premises at 1393 Broadway a viable site. However, the Review Committee found the Respondent’s retail cannabis business experience and operations were professional.” Olde World Remedies finished fourth in the ranking with 35 points. The committee noted in its report that the proposed location at 173 Main St. – a current exotic car dealership – “presents several challenges.” The location is within view of the Saugus Middle-High School. Access to the site has a Main Street off ramp curb cut. Conclusion: “The Review Committee has serious concerns about the Respondent’s proposed Saugus location and the challenges present during the Lynn site visit.” Northeastcann fi nished fi fth in the ranking with 32 points. The committee found the proposed site at 1529 Broadway, the current Avalon Motel, as “adequate.” But the committee was concerned about its proximity to existing cannabis retail businesses operating in Malden and Melrose. Access to the site is diffi cult, due to signifi cant traffi c congestion in the immediate area. In addition, the current and future development of Essex Landing has already added significant traffi c and roadway layout challenges, according to the committee. Conclusion: “The lack of an open retail cannabis business and verifi able cannabis retail experience are a concern to the Review Committee. In addition, the proposed location presents negative impact concerns and challenges.” Bostica, LLC finished sixth in the ranking with 25 points. The proposed site at 44 Broadway, the site of the former Donatello Ristorante and Oye’s Restaurant, raised some concerns for the committee, particularly its close proximity to local residences. Conclusion: “The Respondent has no retail operational cannabis business experience. While the Respondent has substantial investor financing in the Lynn grow/cultivation facility and it seems promising, the lack of a proven track record and specifi c details about how its retail cannabis business would operate is a concern to the Review Committee. The Respondent lacked adequate and/or no direct experience in the industry of Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishment dispensaries.” Broadway Cannabis fi nished last in the ranking with 0 points. Its proposed location at 1268 Broadway, the site of the former Out of Asia restaurant, presents signifi cant challenges, according to the committee. The site is located close to residences and there are access issues. There are existing cannabis businesses already open and operating nearby in Malden and Melrose. Conclusion: “The Respondent’s proposed location is not ideal, and the Response was missing key pieces of information. The proposal was non-responsive to parts of the RFI. The Review Committee has serious concerns about whether this Respondent could successfully complete the buildout necessary to open a dispensary. Furthermore, the Respondent has no experience operating an Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishment. The Respondent lacked adequate and/or no direct experience in the industry of Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishment dispensaries.”

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