Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 30, 2022 ASKS | FROM PAGE 5 the efforts along with the rest of the members of the Saugus Dog Park Committee and support and assistance from the town Manager to lead the effort to bring a full-service dog park to Saugus. The wheels are turning, and progress has been made in identifying the potential site for a park as well as preliminary schematic designs being in progress. The committee has also established the corporation that will eventually become the Nonprofit fundraising entity to help pay for the costs that are not covered by the grant as well as costs for the long-term maintenance and upkeep of the park. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy, prosperous, and safe 2023!!! Selectman Corinne Riley It’s hard to choose just one story, but a few significant stories that come to mind are the improved working relationship with WIN and initial steps toward revitalization of Cliftondale, specifically the purchase of two adjacent properties for parking or other municipal uses. I am proud to have supported both. Another very significant story for 2022 was that we were mostly “back to normal” regarding COVID and related restrictions. It’s great that students were back in school buildings, seniors could return to the senior center, government meetings could be held in-person, and other town activities like Saugus 411, the tree lighting, and Founders Day could be held in person. Having that sense of normalcy has been a great relief to me, and I am sure many others as well. Q: What are your top priorities for the new year? My top priorities for 2023 are continued steps to revitalize Cliftondale, next steps toward a west-side fire station, improved communication for residents, and continued exploration for funding other than property tax. This includes reaping benefits of a host-community agreement with WIN, reaping benefits of marijuana tax dollars, and economic development to fill our empty commercial properties while increasing our commercial tax base. I’d like to wish everyone a healthy, peaceful and happy New Year. Selectman Mike Serino For me personally, I consider the top story of 2022 to be the final completion of the Towns’ two and one half (2 ½) mile rail-trail. In 2012, as a member of the Board of Selectmen, the entire Board consisting of Scott Crabtree, Debra Panetta, Steve Horlick, Steve Castinetti along with myself, signed a ninety nine (99) year lease agreement with the Massachusetts MBTA to take control of the railroad right of way for a walking/bike trail. In April of 2012, pursuant to the lease agreement, the Board of Selectmen had to notify the MBTA of the Town’s intention to proceed with the removal of the old railroad tracks within sixty (60) days, in order to install the then walking/bike trail consisting of recyclable asphalt material. The work was being performed by a non-profit organization at no cost to the Town. As the then Chairman of the Board, at that time, I did oversee the day to day operation of the project to its completion. Several years ago the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) notified all the communities that the Northern Strand Rail-Trail runs through Everett, Malden, Revere, Saugus and Lynn, that the DCR would be making major improvements to the rail-trail including asphalting the Revere, Saugus and Lynn sections. Some ten (10) years later after the completion of the original rail-trail construction in 2012, I am thrilled to see the improvements that have been made to the rail-trail. As a current member of the Board of Selectmen, I am honored to have had the opportunity to be part of the rededication ceremony recently held by the DCR. The rail-trail is probably one of the most significant recreational projects ever completed in Saugus’s history. The rail-trail is enjoyed by people of all ages and is truly very popular among the residents of our community. Q: What are your top priorities for the new year? My top priorities for the new year would be to continue completing as many future projects as we can financially according to the five (5) year Capital Improvement Plan which has been recently updated by the Town Manager in September of 2022 and reviewed by the Board of Selectmen. What I would like to see is a Town Green built somewhere in the vicinity of Saugus Center. A Town Green in Saugus Center could also be accessed by people walking the rail-trail. Unfortunately, Saugus does not have a Town Green for residents to sit, relax, enjoy and meet their neighbors. I would propose tearing down the Evans school and converting the entire area into a Town Green. School Committee Chair Vincent Serino teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff the resources to help them in their jobs. This includes an increase in pay and more help in and out of the classroom. Our teachers and support staff are our greatest resource and need to be treated that way. My last priority is to get better communication for our parents and caregivers. School Committee Chair Vincent Serino Many events and stories took place in 2022 that affected Saugus. As it pertains to the schools and our students, teachers, parents, and support staff, I would go back to the beginning of the year and say Covid. We were still experiencing large numbers of student and teacher absences due to Covid. We voted early in the year to end the mask mandate. I feel after the mandate was lifted our students became more engaged and relieved. The teachers and paraprofessionals were able to better communicate in the classroom and with the students. Q: What are your top priorities for the new year? As far as top priorities for the new year. It would still be student achievement. With that said I would like to get our School Committee Member Ryan Fisher Biggest new story for Saugus in 2022? It’s reassuring to me that for the first time in three years I had to think when you asked me that question. Life getting back to normal is probably the biggest new story for me. We’ve had budgetary challenges as a district and I’m hopeful for a smoother 2023. We have exciting opportunities as a town to repurpose the closed school buildings that are just starting to ramp up. But mainly, putting the day to day disruptions of covid behind us as a community has been one of the biggest events of 2022 for me. Q: What are your top priorities for the new year? For top priorities as a school committee member? Budget season is just getting started, and we’ll be funding the halfway point of our five year commitment to raise academic achievement as a district. We can’t get there without giving our teachers and support staff the resources and pay they need to do their jobs, provide stability to our district, and deal with the continued impacts of the pandemic over the next few years. In addition working on the finance subcommittee with Chairman Serino, Mr. Hatch and I will continue negotiations with all three unions. We need school resource officers, another bus, sustainable after-school enrichment, Chromebook reliability, and support for music and drama. You need a longer column and I need more coffee. Lots to do. School Committee Member Ryan Fisher
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