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Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 vote for to put in free all day kindergarten was the starting off point to bring about the culture change for our district, second to the school committee hiring such a qualified individual such as Erin McMahon to really change the district and the standards of education in our town. Q: What is your resolution for the New Year? Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano: As for a New Years resolution, I was thrilled to be re-elected as the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and will continue to work hard with my colleagues to make Saugus the best it can be. We have a lot of work to do with the vocational school vote, finding the right fit for our school buildings that came offline, signing a Host community agreement with Wheelabrator and building the much needed West Side fire station. I promise to keep my hand on the pulse community, always be accessible and accountable to all the residents of our town. Board of Selectmen ViceChair Debra Panetta: Every year, I have the same resolution. I try to become a better person: more giving, more understanding, and more patient than the year before. I also try to learn something new every year to continuously challenge myself. And I would like to wish everyone a happy & healthy new year!! Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini: As for my New Year’s resolution I feel the town needs to spend the next year assessing all of the school buildings that are coming offline and with community input sessions, decide the best use/purpose for each of the parcels. I can assure our residents these properties will not be sold to become more apartments. I have heard those rumors and they simply are not true. There are many needs and wants in town including much needed senior and veteran housing, green space, additional cemetery space, 3rd fire station, dog park, perhaps a larger youth and rec center etc. These are some of the things that have been discussed and community input will be the critical factor in determining next steps for each parcel. I wish everyone a happy holiday season and a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year! Selectman Corinne Riley: Regarding resolutions, aside from my personal goals, my resolution is to make progress on town goals despite COVID. Since COVID began, it has been at the forefront of local government, rightfully occupying much of the attention of the Town Manager, Health Department, School Department, and Board of Selectmen and others. However, the needs for a West-side Fire Station, Cliftondale Square revitalization, and improved communication and customer service are still very real. My resolution for 2021 is to make meaningful progress on these needs. I hope everyone has a healthy and happy 2022. Selectman Mike Serino: In closing, my New Year’s resolution is for the health experts to find a way to conquer the Covid virus so we can finally get back to having some type of normality. I wish everybody a happy and safe New Year. My best regards to all. MEETING THE COVID CHALLENGE: School Committee Vice-Chair Vincent Serino, a former School Committee member who was elected in November, says he’s impressed about how town educators and support staff have toiled through difficult months. “They all had the same focus and resolve, to get the students of Saugus through the pandemic and keep them learning,” Serino says. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) School Committee ViceChair Vincent Serino: I am not a New Year’s resolution guy, I think if it is worth doing you shouldn’t have to wait a year to get around to it. School Committee Member Ryan Fisher: New Year’s Resolution? I want to get past omicron and see a normal year for my family. Vacations and play dates that you don’t have to screen past covid protocols would be a big deal for us. School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould: I do not have a specific New Years resolution other than to keep my family healthy and safe from the pandemic. School Committee Member John Hatch: My New Year’s resolution is to spend more quality time with family and friends, because this year showed me how short life is. THIS WEEK ON SAUGUS TV Sunday, Jan. 2 from 9 to 11 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, Jan. 3 all day on Channel 8 – “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS Hockey vs. Essex Tech from Dec. 24. Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS Hockey vs. Winnacunnet from Dec. 27. Thursday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. on Channel 9 – Planning Board Meeting ***live***. Friday, Jan. 7 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. Saturday, Jan. 8 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS Hockey vs. Winthrop from Dec. 29. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9 & 22. For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org. ***programming may be subject to change without notice***

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