Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 22, 2023 State Rep. Wong had perfect voting record in 2023 (Editor’s Note: State Rep. Donald H. Wong’s Office issued the following press release this week.) S tate Representative Donald H. Wong, R-Saugus, maintained a perfect voting record in 2023, participating in all 70 roll call votes recorded in the House of Representatives between February 1, 2023, and November 15, 2023. Representative Wong compiled a 100% attendance record this year by casting votes on several major policy initiatives during the first half of the 2023-2024 legislative session, including a comprehensive tax relief package that is expected to provide taxpayers with $561 million in savings this fiscal year and an estimated $1.02 billion in savings once the changes are fully implemented in 2026. Signed SUPPORT | FROM PAGE 1 investigating and prosecutinto law on October 4, 2023, as Chapter 50 of the Acts of 2023, An Act to improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability and equity, the bill: · Doubles the Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit from $1,200 to $2,400, indexed to inflation, to assist nearly 100,000 seniors with their housing costs; · Eliminates the estate tax for all estates valued under $2 million and allows for a uniform credit of $99,600, effective January 1, 2023; · Combines the child and dependent tax credits into one while eliminating the existing cap and increasing the credit from $180 to $310 in FY23 and to $440 in FY24, which will benefit over 565,000 families; · Increases the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $4,000, which will assist approximately 800,000 renters; · Raises the Earned Income ing environmental crimes. After retiring from DEP, he continued to serve the public as Tax Credit from 30% to 40% of the federal credit, which will benefit approximately 400,000 taxpayers earning less than $60,000; · Allows municipalities to provide up to $2,000 in property tax reductions for older residents participating in the senior work-off program, which is currently capped at $1,500; and · Reduces the tax on shortterm capital gains from 12% to 8.5%. On November 15, Representative Wong joined with his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass a long-term care oversight bill that will provide enhanced protections for patients as well as expanded training provisions for the industry’s workforce to help address persistent staffing shortages at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. He President of the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists (MOOur 51st Anniversary Dan - 1972 We Sell Cigars & Accessories! 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Crabtree said Dorant’s extensive environmental experience and background are “off the charts” and make him one of the most experienced candidates to be appointed to the board in recent memory. “I was thrilled when I received his letter of interest to serve on the Saugus Board of Health and I applaud the Board of Selectmen for confirming his appointment,” Crabtree said. “Joe brings a wealth of knowledge in environmental protection, public health, water resources and extensive knowledge of state regulations that will be invaluable to the residents and businesses of Saugus,” he said. Dorant had expressed an interest previously in serving on the Board of Health. But there weren’t any vacant seats at the time. He has a Master’s of Science degree in environmental engineering from Northeastern University. He received a Bachelor of Science-Biology degree from Boston State College (UMass). He retired in 2006 from the DEP after working for 28 years. “As an environmental engiHappy Holidays! neer at DEP, my career concentrates on environmental health in a regulatory role, protecting our precious resources and enforcing our environmental laws,” Dorant wrote in his letter of interest to the town manager. wage gap by requiring most employers to disclose the salVOTING RECORD | SEE PAGE 4 “In my leadership role as President of MOSES, representing scientists and engineers across the Commonwealth, I’ve worked closely with state and local Public Health officials,” he said. Dorant’s appointment is through December 2025. At Tuesday night’s meeting, selectmen voted to confirm the reappointment of Joia Cicolini, Maria Tamagna, Geraldine Gatchell and Dr. Anthony Bakopolus. Cicolini and Vice Chair Tamagna were appointed to serve through Dec. 31, 2026. The reappointments of Gatchell and Bakopolus are through December 2025 and December 2024, respectively. The Board of Health meets monthly, usually on the first Monday of each calendar month at the Saugus Public Library. Dates are subject to change. The Board’s role is to promote the health and wellness of all Saugus residents through the prevention and control of disease and injury. The Board of Health’s responsibilities include a wide spectrum of activities involving environmental and public health concerns, conducting inspections and investigations to maintain local and federal code compliance for the following permitted establishments: animal keepers, body art practitioners, food establishments, mobile home parks, mobile food vendors, motels, recreational camps, swimming pools, tanning salons, temporary food events, trash & septic haulers.
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