SAUGUS A V CT DV Vol. 23, No. 53 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 COVID-19 took a devastating toll on the health and economy of Saugus, making it the top story for 2020 By Mark E. Vogler oard of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano said he got something for Christmas this year that he wouldn’t want anyone to receive – a case of COVID-19. “Just before Christmas, I tested positive for COVID-19 – a fi tting ending for a terrible year,” Cogliano told The Saugus Advocate B this week. “My experience with it was somewhat mild – cough, fever, sore throat, headaches and loss of taste – but certainly a minor case compared to others. While I wish the virus on no one, I hope anyone that gets it has a similar experience to the one I did,” he said. Cogliano is one of more than 2,315 Saugus residents who as of yesterday had tested positive for the Coronavirus, which is blamed for 48 deaths in Saugus since the outbreak of the global pandemic in March. Besides contributing to some serious health problems locally, it has put companies out of business, cost hundreds of people their jobs, led to the cancellation of the major crowd-drawing community events and forced children in Saugus Public Schools to engage in remote learning at home via the computer instead of getting a more enriching education in class. Social distancing protocols have led to the shutdown of Town Hall to the public. Small groups of town employees still answer phones and conduct business. But all of the volunteer and elected boards of Saugus Town Government have switched to “Zoom” videoconferencing to conduct YEAR | SEE PAGE 2 Headed back to “Hybrid” S Students will get into the classroom twice a week, effective Jan. 19 By Mark E. Vogler augus Public Schools students will soon return to a more normal schedule, at least part-time, under a weekly education plan that off ers two days of in-person classes and the rest of the time at home, working from a computer. “I’m excited. I think it’s time. I think we’re ready,” School Committee Chair Tom Whittredge said after the committee voted unanimously Tuesday night to set Jan. 19 as the date to resume the so-called hybrid learning model. “I think we’ll be pleased with the results,” he said. The committee had initially set a Jan. 4 target date to resume the hybrid learning model. But when the discussion came up Tuesday night, Whittredge said there wasn’t enough time for parents to get comfortable with the new plan. He suggested Jan. 19, which would allow families about two additional weeks to prepare for the change in schedule. Whittredge, who at one point was a vocal advocate for a total return to the classroom as soon as possible, retreated from that stance in recent weeks following a huge spike in confi rmed COVID-19 cases in Saugus. “I’m glad, Mr. Chairman, that you’ve come around,” School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould said. “I don’t regret any of our HYBRID | SEE PAGE 8 An unidentifi ed worker sitting in a parked truck near the 7-Eleven on Hamilton Street in Saugus last March wore a facemask to protect himself against the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 dominated the news headlines during 2020. For a “Year in Review,” monthly breakdown of the top stories in The Saugus Advocate, please see page 5. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Mark E. Vogler) FAREWELL 2020 Here is the last full moon of the year as seen through the bare branches of trees outdoors in Saugus on Tuesday night (Dec. 29). See page 3 of this week’s “The Advocate Asks” – members of the Board of Selectmen and the Saugus School Committee refl ected on their top stories of 2020 and shared their New Year’s resolutions. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 Regular Unleaded $2.039 MidUnleaded $2.399 Super $2.459 Diesel Fuel $2.439 KERO $4.359 Diesel $1.999 HEATING OI 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS The main event of the 60-car Christmas Eve Parade through Saugus was the sleigh with Mrs. Claus, Santa and Alex, the Elf. For more photos of the Christmas Eve Parade, see pages 12 & 13. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Tara Vocino) FOR SAFETY’S SAKE OCD OCATE Thursday, December 31, 2020 Year of the Pandemic A HOLIDAY WELCOME Prices subject to change New Year! H Happy Ne FLEET
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