Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ Refl ections of 2021 in Saugus and looking ahead Selectmen and School Committee members pick their top stories for 2021 and share their New Year’s resolutions Board of Selectmen Chair column, we reached out to each of the members of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee and asked them to pick what they thought was the top story of 2020. We also invited them to share their New Year’s resolutions. Their comments to each of the questions follow. Q: In the world of Saugus, what would you consider the top story of 2021? Please give me one and a runner-up, if you like. Anthony Cogliano: For me, the biggest story of the year continues to be the virus. I would’ve never thought we’d still be in this situation today. Operation WARP speed handed the incoming President three vaccines in a nine month period where there were none, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson.... only to find out Six months later we’d need booster shots, then along came The DelLawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net ta variant and now the Omicron. Today our numbers are worse than they were a year ago, testing lines are never ending and take home tests are hard to fi nd. Our kids are still wearing masks in school, sports teams can’t use locker rooms...and now the City of Boston is going to check vaccine cards beginning January 15, 2022 in order to dine out. Are we making progress...not as I see it. The Biden administration promised to shut down the virus....but they can’t even shut down the border. Millions of illegal aliens continue to pour into this country. Unvaccinated in the midst of the worst pandemic of our lifetime. Does anyone believe this is “Building Back Better”. Certainly not me. On a personal note, I lost my Dad to cancer in 2021, just six days after the birth of his fi rst great grandchild, Luciana Cross, my fi rst grandchild. I never thought I could love someone as much as my wife and children but Luci is right there with them. Her beautiful Editor’s Note: For this week’s FACING COVID-19: The current Board of Selectmen served most of their fi rst two-year term in the shadow of the pandemic. Getting sworn in by Town Clerk Ellen Schena after getting reelected to a second term in November, were, shown from left to right, Selectmen Debora Panetta, Anthony Cogliano, Jeff Cicolini, Corinne Riley and Mike Serino. In year-end interviews this week, each member cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the top story in Saugus during 2021. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Mark E. Vogler) little smile lights up my world and I can’t spend enough time with her. Board of Selectmen ViceHappy New Year! Chair Debra Panetta: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, we were able to substantially complete the school projects, and had three school buildings open in September for the start of the school year. The pandemic struck Saugus and our neighboring communities hard. The health and safety of all our residents is always my top concern. In the last 7 days, we’ve had 286 reported new cases of COVID and 2 (new) deaths in Saugus, so it’s important that people take the necessary precautions to stay safe. I sincerely appreciate how Saugus residents continue to go above and beyond to help their fellow neighbors. We also had some wonWe’re closed for New Year’s Eve (12/31) at 2 PM and New Year’s Day (1/1) all day. Wishing you peace and prosperity in 2022. As always, access our ATMs and your Online & Mobile Banking anytime. Enroll at www.EverettBank.com 419 BROADWAY. EVERETT, MA 02149 771 SALEM ST. LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 WWW.EVERETTBANK.COM 617-387-1110 781-776-4444 Member FDIC | Member DIF derful people pass away this year, including residents that were very active in our Town. The passing of Wendy Reed (Board of Selectmen Clerk & past School Committee Chairman), Greg Nickolas (Director of Saugus Youth and Recreation Center & Town Meeting member), Arthur Gustafson (past Saugus Selectman & past Town Meeting member), Cam Cicolini (past Charter Commission member & past President of Saugus Kiwanis), Theresa Whittredge (Saugus Little League & active fundraiser), and Kimberly Lepito Rossi (active fundraiser, Toys for Tots helper) were among some of the heartbreaking deaths we had this year. Selectman Jeff rey Cicolini: I feel like the biggest story in the last year still surrounds the pandemic and the continued impact it had on our residents and businesses in town. I am not only speaking healthwise but also from a fi nancial and emotional standpoint. There are so many businesses closing throughout the country given the lasting impact and unfortunately Saugus is not isolated from the impact. We have seen so many wonderful, long standing businesses shut their doors and it truly is sad and unfortunate. I do feel the town is doing a good job with providing information to our residents as well as off ering resources to help soften the impact as much as possible. Unfortunately many feel the government offered assistance to some businesses, namely restaurants and the like, a little too late and the negative impact was too much to overcome even with the assistance that was off ered. Selectman Corinne Riley: The top news story for 2021 continued to be COVID. It affected our health, how we work, how our students are educated, our local government, our economy both nationally and locally, recreational activities, and even how we interact with our family and friends. I also feel another story that was important and very concerning was the proposal to move Methadone Mile to the hotel on Route 1 on the ReASKS | SEE PAGE 3
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