THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 Page 15 2020 | FROM PAGE 10 The Town Clerk says mail-in voting could be a big motivator for turnout in Tuesday’s primary election. Confirmed COVID-19 cases rise to 638; the death toll is now at 40 – two-thirds of them residents in the two local nursing homes. Saugus drops into the “yellow” category for “moderate risk” of the virus. Saugonian Kevin Nigro shares some fascinating inside information on the new Saugus Middle-High School. Breakheart area residents are banned from parking in two neighborhoods. When it comes to being “green,” the new Saugus Middle-High School is unique. September Tuesday’s state primary election draws one-third of the town’s registered voters. Town officials show up for a “Back the Blue” rally in front of Town Hall. Saugus United 2035 gears up with an opportunity for citizens to offer their suggestions on how to help shape the future of their town. Revere City Councillor-at-Large Jessica Giannino wins the Democratic State primary in race to replace the retiring state Rep. RoseLee Vincent of Revere. Confirmed COVID-19 cases increase to 659 and the death toll remains at 40 as Saugus continues in the “yellow” category as one of the state’s “moderate risk” communities. A Scituate woman hails a state trooper as a hero, claiming he saved her life by using his cruiser to block a couch from the roadway of Route 1 North – seconds before she would have crashed into it. Saugus teachers, students and parents brace themselves for an unusual school year with unique, new challenges – including “remote learning” from their homes via a computer. Northeast Metro Tech shares an update on the school building project. Saugus gets a little COVID-19 advice from Taiwan – plus some masks. Saugus United 2035 kicks off, giving residents an opportunity to participate in crafting a new Master Plan for their town. Saugus returns to the “red” category as a “high risk” community for COVID-19 as confirmed cases increase to 690; the death toll is at 41. Northeast Metro Tech changes reopening to remote-only. The Selectmen say they will take their time in deciding who gets the two available liquor licenses. Citizens responding to a study committee survey say they prefer to see the Ballard School used as a preschool or day center. The DPW Building is renamed for the late Joseph Attubato, the public works chief who devoted his life to making Saugus a better place. Roller World owner Jerry Breen wonders why the state won’t let him reopen when ice skating rinks have the green light. The town’s confirmed COVID-19 cases increase to 702 while the death toll remains at 41. October Renovations of a $4.5 million project are underway at Kasabuski Rink as the state DCR launches its first major revitalization of the ice skating facility in about 25 years. Saugus Town Hall and other municipal buildings may be several weeks away from reopening their doors to residents because modifications are needed to make them COVID-19-ready, according to the town manager. Rev. John T. Beach, the new priest-in-charge of St. John’s Episcopal Church, discusses his Zoom book discussion group that will overlap the presidential election. Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saugus increase to 721; the death toll remains at 41. World Series Park still plans to have lights installed in the spring of 2021. The Selectmen explore options on what to do with a foreclosed home on Biscayne Avenue – whether to sell the single family home at a public auction or return the property to the original owner in return for payment of back taxes, legal fees and other costs owed the town. Crabtree says new Human Resources Director Tony Wyman will be “an asset to our community.” A small gathering of police, town officials and retired K-9 officers assemble in Riverside Cemetery as representatives of the Saugus Police Patrol Officers Union unveil a black granite memorial to honor eight dogs and seven handlers that served as the Police Department’s K9 units. The Old Burial Ground at Saugus Cullough as a full-time Animal Control Officer. The Town announces the promotion of Saugus Patrol Officer Klimarchuk to sergeant. The state reports 53 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saugus during a one-week period, increasing the overall total to 861; the death toll remains at 43. The chairs of the Saugus Democratic and Republican Town Committees size up Tuesday’s Election Day. November Biden takes Saugus in a close A MASKED ELECTION CAMPAIGN: Candidates, campaign supporters and the citizens who went out to vote all had to wear protective masks during the 2020 election. Center gets a new look as the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gathers to clean up the grounds and the headstones. Town Manager Crabtree estimates it could cost Saugus $2.5 million to make school and municipal buildings “pandemic proof.” The Ballard School Study Committee files its report with the Town offering options on what to do with the old schoolhouse and how to use it in the future. The Selectmen decide they will not vacate a foreclosure decree that would enable them to return a home on Biscayne Avenue to its former owner. In spite of the pandemic, the 18th annual pumpkin truck arrives to deliver 4,000 pumpkins at First Congregational Church in Saugus Center. Confirmed COVID-19 cases increase to 762 as the death toll remains at 42; the town surges into “high risk” status again. Close to 600 Saugus residents fill out the town’s Master Plan/ Visioning Survey. The Board of Health votes to officially create an 11-member subcommittee composed of town officials and residents to work together with Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. in resolving a wide range of issues related to the company’s trash-to-energy plant. Board Chair William Heffernan vows he won’t allow subcommittee meetings to degenerate “into a screaming match.” Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joe Vecchione seeks a public explanation as to why the Planning Board hasn’t met in more than eight months. The developer agrees to a month’s continuance on a Conservation Commission hearing on a proposed veterans housing project in East Saugus. Renovations are underway at the Belmonte Middle School. Saugus seniors meet in the parking lot of the Saugus Senior Center to knit for troops, the homeless, and premature babies. A week before Election Day, more than 43 percent of the town’s 20,291 registered voters have already cast their ballots for president and other federal, state and local candidates. The Selectmen eye bank building for Cliftondale parking. The Selectmen approve the appointment of Darren Mcvote over President Trump; a 76 percent turnout is slightly less than four years ago as there are fewer contested local races. The state reports 43 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Saugus during a six-day period as the total climbs to 904; the death toll increases to 44. The Planning Board considers holding its first meeting in months – via “Zoom” videoconferencing. The School Committee votes to put hybrid learning on hold until next January. Richard “Dick” Barry passes away at 89, leaving a legacy of friendly public service for the community he loved. State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) wins his sixth twoyear term without opposition in the Ninth Essex House District. Revere Democratic candidate Jessica Ann Giannino wins the right to replace state Rep. RoseLee Vincent (D-Revere) in the 16th Suffolk District race without opposition. She represents Saugus voters in Precincts 3 and 10. More than 50 people attend an unusual Veterans Day Service that was tempered by COVID-19 concerns and a mission to keep the participants safe. More than 100 new 2020 | SEE PAGE 14
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