׉?4ׁB!בCט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://Dta8PBoaP3OQtCzJtixzcj6SCYhhxnIr53sNVLiwEGQ`)׉ 7cassandra://xlxVmTydLJL1K7HOGeaUxQjaXioWFJdOsY_TmCNpti0ͨ`J׉ 7cassandra://UVCKubKO6nIJ6XQ45UJ5ft5u9a7waDfjXmVJ8u9uCDU3`̰׉ 7cassandra://H-BjNgWz91n1AQjQobu7vkl-sSiAiprRGzsxqYY70Rw9͠`o7<gנ`o7<g ́f 9ׁHhttp://www.angelosoil.comׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<g̱ 9ׁHhttp://www.advocatenews.netׁ ׁ Ј׈E`o7<gu׉E SAUGUS The Advocate–A household word in Saugus! OCDVOCATE AD Vol. 24, No. 14 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net C liftondale Square – the once vibrant business district that encompasses Lincoln Avenue, Essex Street and Jackson Street – has been the subject of numerous revitalization studies over the last 40 years. The fi ndings of each report have cited repeatedly four key issues which have never been dealt with: traffi c congestion, the lack of parking, a rundown appearance and the need for rezoning. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joe Vecchione said he hopes things will be diff erent this time as the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee he chairs embarked this week on the latest eff ort by town government to make Cliftondale Square a vibrant business community. “Over the last 40 years, we’ve had fi ve or six studies done,” Vecchione told members at the outset of the panel’s fi rst meeting on Wednesday night (April 7). But there has CT Published Every Friday Reshaping the Square Cliftondale Revitalization Comm. launches new effort to overcome challenges plaguing town’s historic business district for nearly four decades By Mark E. Vogler been very little improvement resulting from studies dating back to 1982 despite “a lot of recommendations.” “I don’t want it to be a rehashing of the known issues,” Vecchione told committee members. “I want to open the doors where they can be opened,” he said. Vecchione, 30, a lifelong Cliftondale resident, authored the Town Meeting article which esRESHAPING | SEE PAGE 8 Back to Near Normal Times For years, local and state offi cials have considered this rotary too large for the traffi c volume. While wide enough for two vehicles to travel side-by-side, the feeder roads only have one lane in each direction — a situation that can cause confusion over who has the right-a-way. Pedestrians also have diffi culty crossing from one side to the other on the wide rotary. Parking within the rotary can cause traffi c delays and safety issues for vehicles in the rotary. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Fisher says Grabowski’s “racist” comments could undermine eff orts of school district to improve race relations if left unchallenged By Mark E. Vogler chool Committee Vice-Chair Ryan Fisher was the lone member who didn’t call for colleague Arthur Grabowski’s resignation at last week’s commitS Oaklandvale Elementary School Principal Maureen Lueke welcomed mother Lina Desmond in sending off her fi fth grader Isabella Desmond, 11, back to school on Monday (April 5) morning as elementary schools in Saugus and throughout Massachusetts returned to fi ve days a week of in-person learning. For more photos and related story, please see inside. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) GRABOWSKI | SEE PAGE 4 tee meeting. But he insists it was absolutely his intention for Grabowski to step down. “I didn’t realize until after the meeting ended that I hadn’t said 781-233-4446 Friday, April 9, 2021 The Rotary of Cliftondale Square ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $2.639 Mid Unleaded $2.739 Super $2.839 Diesel Fuel $2.819 "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 KERO $4.65 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $2.349 9 HEATING OIL 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 Prices subject to change Spring is around the Corner! FLEET ׉ 7cassandra://UVCKubKO6nIJ6XQ45UJ5ft5u9a7waDfjXmVJ8u9uCDU3`̰`o7<gv`o7<gu PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://95C97SjUONrUoKaGCsEtUrrCVPBWUCIVhyA-V5m-9kULj`)׉ 7cassandra://iCWiAU795uQE8vLac4bDrfghYoKs0JWy97dWVNf3s6c͟`J׉ 7cassandra://E2_59JBJe354i8Wgub_NsVLpaAImuvyRUfWB__RrcQ0/`̰׉ 7cassandra://wxOldeP1uRHt5p_1_R84F1VPKFs_JuhYenwg9t4jSM4'Z͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://4uFgA9OM_hNJp1y5Tkifv4z5JNdqxINm0cGjZfJLnjQo`)׉ 7cassandra://e6rnlfHgKekYx5M9Dxhhh62AGJyItA7V0BAUOO798Igͨ`J׉ 7cassandra://Ox6TT7tMcyHcdLIgZnv-BlEHVnteapdmIX75x109M280`̰׉ 7cassandra://eX6rR9p9kB3pOBFsrQdiw-UlM2sKmrsYwYQmi4xorsQ,͙R͠`o7<g׉E Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Students, parents and administration largely comfortable heading back to school By Tara Vocino O aklandvale Elementary School students, parents and administration had the option to transition to fully in-person learning on Monday morning. According to the state’s Department of Education, 930 elementary schools across Massachusetts went back fully in-person on Monday. Schools have had to adjust schedules for social distancing and add desks to classrooms, now just three feet apart instead of six, to meet updated state guidelines. In Saugus, parent Lina Desmond said she trusts that her teachers and administration have the situation under control in sending off her fifth grade daughter, Isabella, 11, back to in-person learning. For parent James Bruzzese, it was bittersweet to send his daughter, Alena, 10, to fourth grade, accompanied by her younger brother in prekinderOn Monday, James Bruzzese said it was bittersweet to see his daughter, Alena, 10, enter fourth grade fully in-person. Fifth-grader Brandon Barbanti, in center, ran into the parking lot as he waited for school to begin. Teachers welcomed back their students on Monday. $2.39 Fifth-graders walked in as the school bus turned the corner. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) First-grader Lucas Marnet, 6, embraced his teacher, Andrea Proctor-Pinto, as he directed him. garten, Domenic. “I’m nervous in a good way,” Alena said. However, Brandon Barbanti, 5, couldn’t be more excited as he ran into the parking lot, waiting to enter. “I’m happy,” Brandon said. “It’s going to be fun.” Principal Maureen Lueke said each class will average 18 to 20 students, with approximately 88 percent of the student body choosing the in-person option with the rest remaining remote. “I’m excited that everyone transitioned safely,” Lueke said. “We’re ready for in-person learning.” Replacing DeRuosi Superintendent Search Committee expects to begin interviewing candidates next week By Mark E. Vogler A fter culling through 25 applications of possible candidates to replace retiring Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr., the Superintendent’s Search Committee expects to be interviewing several candidates next week. “We’ll likely interview less than half and then narrow it down further in our recommendation to the School Committee,” said School Committee Vice - Chair Ryan Fisher, who chairs the 15-member search panel. “We’ll meet in Executive Session throughout next week conducting interviews. I’m expecting at least three sessions,” he said. Dr. DeRuosi plans to retire effective June 30, at the end of the current school year, which would complete five years of service to the town. April 27 is the target date for the search committee to make an announcement, recommending a list of four to five finalists. The full School Committee should DERUOSI | SEE PAGE 5 ׉ 7cassandra://E2_59JBJe354i8Wgub_NsVLpaAImuvyRUfWB__RrcQ0/`̰`o7<gw׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 3 The rebranding of Wheelabrator Owner of Saugus trash-to-energy plant combines with nine other firms to form WIN Waste Innovations (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release issued by Wheelabrator Technologies this week.) P ORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Wheelabrator Technologies announced the integration of 10 leading waste industry businesses into a single company operating under the WIN Waste Innovations brand name. As one entity, the legacy businesses now represent a vertically integrated, curb-to-grid waste management company designed to enhance customer service and deliver superior, sustainable waste solutions tailored to the needs of each customer. Along with the new operating name, WIN Waste Innovations unveiled its tagline to convey the brand’s dual focus on customer service and sustainability: Performance for the Planet. The company will formally celebrate its rebranding on April 20, hosting a series of events to preserve habitats, promote sustainability and engage community volunteers and employees in protecting the planet. WIN Waste Innovations is comprised of the former Wheelabrator Technologies and Stamford, Conn.–based City Carting & Recycling and Tunnel Hill Partners; Londonderry, N.H.–based Charles George Waste Disposal & Recycling; Westboro, Mass.– based United Material Management; Eliot, Maine–based Shipyard Waste Solutions; Atkinson, N.H.–based Bay State Disposal; Westchester County–based County Waste Management, Inc.; Fitchburg, Mass.–based Fiore Trucking Recycle & Disposal, and the commercial and residential subscription business of West Bridgewater, Mass.–based Noonan Waste Service. “By bringing together these 10 industry leading companies under a single brand, WIN Waste Innovations has positioned itself to deliver essential services to our customers and communities while performing for the planet,” said WIN Waste Innovations President/CEO Robert C. Boucher. “We strive to exceed our customers’ expectations every day, delivering comprehensive, tailored waste services from a professional, responsible team you can count on. Our passionate and professional employees are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and end-to-end solutions that begin with reliable waste pickup at the curb and end with flexible disposal options designed to support a healthier planet.” The company operates from Maine to Florida and as far west as Ohio. By retaining the well-established teams that managed the respective legacy brands, WIN Waste Innovations will broaden and deepen its operational footprint in the Northeast and other markets of strategic interest while ensuring a seamless transition for customers. In all, the combined company operates 50 strategically located collection, transfer and disposal assets, and it serves more than 110,000 collections customers on 231 collection routes using 346 total collection vehicles and eight hauling locations. “The combination of these established collection, hauling, transfer and waste-to-energy companies enables WIN Waste Innovations to provide the holistic approach to waste management our customers and communities need,” said Boucher. “In addition to providing exceptional customer service at every point along the value chain, we are preserving our natural resources. “As a combined company, each year we convert 6.7 million tons of waste into clean, renewable energy to power 340,000 homes and recycle more than 234,000 tons of plastic, paper and metal from the waste stream.” WIN Waste Innovations introduces a new standard for reliable waste management solutions – from collections and hauling to transfer and disposal – backed by live, personal customer service and a commitment to the communities and the world we share. Customers will begin to see striking new colors to match the bold service goals throughout WIN Waste Innovations’ fleet. The company’s new website – www.win-waste. com – has launched. Additional functionality will be added to the online platform over the coming weeks. On April 20 the company will formally recognize its rebranding by hosting events in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maryland. Joining with local community partners in various markets, company employees will participate in community cleaning and greening events, including marsh-restoration activities, tree plantings, litter cleanups and other initiatives to benefit the environment. Additional community events will be scheduled in other markets later in the spring. About WIN Waste Innovations This is a waste management company committed to delivering essential waste management solutions to customers and communities supported by its team of 1,900 employees. It believes in preserving the environment for future generations while providing for today’s needs. WIN Waste Innovations has a platform of 50 strategically located collection, transfer and disposal assets, including waste-to-energy facilities, transfer stations, ash monofills, landfills and fleets of rail cars and collection vehicles. The company processes more than 11 million tons of waste annually, converting 6.7 million tons of it into clean, renewable energy that powers 340,000 homes. The company recycles more than 234,000 tons of plastic, paper and metals from the waste stream. Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 J& $45 yd. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. MULCH SALE! Discount Spring Special PICK-UP or DELIVERY AVAILABLE 617-389-1490 Premium Hemlock or Pitch Black BELOW WHOLESALE COSTS LANDSCAPERS WELCOME $4 yd. $40 yd. $3 yd. ׉ 7cassandra://Ox6TT7tMcyHcdLIgZnv-BlEHVnteapdmIX75x109M280`̰`o7<gx`o7<gw PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://MRnrMuf7LX3MT3NR4Ms8ErQfomsFfHyqvMsR2bKhNuQє`)׉ 7cassandra://bQqyKSWQjOkEiDyipqg18oMaQk2t1BTLaI8AJwtijZwͨg`J׉ 7cassandra://ykPg1QRePuH-OvwkIqc5swwvYEJYLRI6yxBXRVzEFb8/`̰׉ 7cassandra://LK2LxGW8OGRRBiJRV7Xc2GKcfCufZfUK4VrbAqNOChk83S͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://s5mfjWuJO41aP9UnhhoCPP65KRRGyYlkSZrzvSDvuWs`)׉ 7cassandra://JqORTmJI0oUThlbvsZ67rW_B1YfSIzLWcpA7DDOxS_w͡k`J׉ 7cassandra://EExewnt_ALgtgRtES7QGX-WoRbRCykjxCO5u8QiM_V4/`̰׉ 7cassandra://c8chJzF9Ae6XzzM1AZ_j_Cj3PKt1Ew3fJquUjoNw_-YAO$͠`o7<gנ`o7<gQ̺9ׁHmailto:office@cliftondalecc.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 GRABOWSKI | FROM PAGE 1 the words [to resign],” Fisher said. “The fault was mine. I always try to lay out an argument and conclude with what I think needs to happen next, but I couldn’t get it done this time.” “I’m absolutely in lockstep with my fellow three committee members, and I don’t want anyone to think otherwise. They were short and to the point,” Fisher said. In late January, School Committee Member Arthur Grabowski barged into Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi Jr.’s office, interrupted a meeting and made a comment about the school district needing people who can speak English to operate snowblowers, according to the minutes of an Executive Session meeting about the incident. Committee members voted 4-0 during that March 11 meeting to sanction him for remarks they perceived as “racist” and to take a sensitivity training class. They also wanted their colleague to apologize to anyone he offended. Grabowski’s refusal to accept responsibility for his offensive comments, apologize publicly and seek sensitivity training motivated three committee members to call for his resignation during Wednesday’s (March 31) meeting. “I’ve done good work with Arthur and I’ve always been able to get along with him, but his comments were out of line, were racist, and he’s refused to apologize or take any responsibility for his actions, nor has he shown any willingness to improve himself or even question if he was wrong,” Fisher said in an interview this week. “He needs to resign from the School Committee.” Grabowski didn’t respond to School Committee members’ alwww.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM legations and criticisms when they called for his resignation last week. And the veteran School Committee member declined to be interviewed this week to respond to the criticism and explain his remarks. Meanwhile, Fisher sought to clarify his comments this week, stressing the reason why he believes Grabowski’s comments have caused some potential damage to the committee’s credibility while disparaging students and staff in the school district who are English Language Learners (ELA.) “I think my greatest concern is that one bad day can often undo a hundred good ones, and that’s why I fear Mr. Grabowski’s comment was so damaging,” Fisher said. “He questioned why the rest of us are talking about it and why it’s so important. We need to make it abundantly clear as loudly as we can that there’s no truth behind it,” he said. Fisher recalled a comment on social media last year around the time of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests. “The poster typed that he had contacted some retired educators, looked into the matter, and concluded after these conversations that there was no THIS WEEK ON SAUGUS TV Sunday, April 11 from 9 to 11 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, April 12 all day on Channel 8 – “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, April 13 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Finance Committee Meeting from April 7. Wednesday, April 14 at 9 WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 Aluminum Everett 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 62 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! family since 1958 • 60 •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Vinyl Siding •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roofng •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Fully Licensed ng •Roo ng • Fully Insured • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Everett Aluminum STAY SAFE! p.m. on Channel 8 – What’s Cookin’ with Danny. Thursday, April 15 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS Football vs. Salem from April 3. Friday, April 16 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS Football vs. Swampscott from April 10. Saturday, April 17 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS Volleyball vs. Swampscott from April 9 ***live***. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9 & 22 (Public, Governmental and Educational). For complete schedules, please visit www. saugustv.org. ***programming may change without notice*** racism of any kind in Saugus public schools,” Fisher said. “This is an issue that impacts everyone everywhere, and we can’t ignore it, and I’m someone who has been afforded a lot of privilege in life that I never asked for, and I know with certainty that I still have a lot to learn, every day,” Fisher said. “People with the best of intentions can make a hundred mistakes. We have a large ELL population in Saugus. If a teacher, even unconsciously, even with the best of intentions, gave an ELL student the impression they weren’t as capable as other students, that could have a major impact on that student,” he said. “Treating every student the same ignores their individual needs, and highlighting differences can be just as harmful. Up at the middle-high there is a professional learning community devoted to racial justice where educators have these conversations for the benefit of these students.” Fisher noted that he and School Committee Chair Tom Whittredge sat in on one of these meetings and said he was “incredibly impressed with their commitment.” “I could read 99 positive notes and one critical one will stay with me for a long time,” he said. “All of the hard work our ELL students and teachers put into their education could be undone by one public official stating they’re not inclined to particular skills and then refusing to apologize when it’s pointed out our students are listening,” he said. “We have a diverse student body, and how we acknowledge history, address current events and openly communicate with each other is going to determine how respectful and safe this district is for all our students and staff. Some people don’t want to acknowledge these very complicated issues, and some are willing to put in a lot of work every day to improve all of us.” Spring! ׉ 7cassandra://ykPg1QRePuH-OvwkIqc5swwvYEJYLRI6yxBXRVzEFb8/`̰`o7<gy׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 5 ~ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ~ Food brings smiles! A food pantry volunteer shares the joy of collaborating with the National Guard and others to help feed the hungry of Saugus Y esterday morning (April 2) we had the pleasure of being the recipients of additional food resources from a state run program offering shelf staEach week, on Friday mornings, from 9:30-11 a.m., the food pantry, located at 50 Essex Street, Saugus, serves the Saugus community with food tions from the public, business, town, and charitable organizations who exceed expectations and keep us going! The volunteers who tirelessly give time, energy, manpower and dedication cannot be matched. The crew shows up every week with smiles, ready to serve our community. It could not be done without this collective group. Our Saugus community is giving member find you need short or long-term food relief, please know, all are welcome. You can contact the pantry by telephone, 771-233-2663, Email is office@cliftondalecc.org, or walk-in any Friday morning. Follow The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry on Facebook for updates! Volunteers are always needed. We have many positions to fill, helping with food fulfillment, to making deliveries around town. There is something for all ages and abilities to do. Please consider volunteering – our crew is really nice too! Sincerely, Susan Curry Saugus (Editor’s Note: Susan Curry is a volunteer at the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry in Cliftondale Congregational Church.) NATIONAL GUARD ON FOOD DUTY: Volunteers at the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry in Cliftondale Congregational Church got some help last Friday (April 2) from members of the National Guard. (Courtesy photos to The Saugus Advocate) ble products to food pantries throughout Massachusetts. These boxes of food were delivered by way of the volunteer efforts of the #NationalGuard. Programs like this are part of the state’s Effort to ensure a resilient and secure food supply chain in the Commonwealth. We thank all of the people who made this program accessible on behalf of the pantry and the community we serve – Saugus DERUOSI | FROM PAGE 2 be ready to interview the finalists during the period of May 6-13, with a target date of May 29 to select a new superintendent or to enter into negotiations with the finalist. “For the superintendent screening committee, I can’t thank my fellow committee members enough for their dedication,” Fisher said. “The screening committee has met twice so far and spent our Easter weekend pouring over hundreds of pages of application documents. We hope to begin interviews shortly and hope for the school committee to announce finalists within three weeks.” School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould is the vice-chair of the Superintendent Search Committee. relief. Currently, we average 50 households per week but during peak months this past year during the Covid-19 pandemic, we watched the need in Saugus rise well above that number. This past Thanksgiving the pantry volunteers delivered packaged dinner makings with turkeys to over 100 Saugus households in need. The success of the food pantry relies on the generous food and monetary donaand grateful! The recipients of food relief are comforted knowing they have a constant source to depend on when fighting food insecurity. During the pandemic, we have seen the struggle mount and it’s been an opportunity to collect, prepare, and deliver door-to-door to households who unexpectedly found themselves housebound and quarantined. If you or a friend or family ׉ 7cassandra://EExewnt_ALgtgRtES7QGX-WoRbRCykjxCO5u8QiM_V4/`̰`o7<gz`o7<gy PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://AAUIqjFlWv6XcZH7sbCQ0qcDrA-aqKUX1sybTyPnuW4 L`)׉ 7cassandra://HcMp7mBb2jCS_MqGHTnGXIR9WN2rOMp-XknxrRfYwmQͦt`J׉ 7cassandra://qpb4KB_DhocrDM-X1E23LU1ZA_1xiUxy9wllsM46iss.`̰׉ 7cassandra://7SBQPFHtotn1NC5lxSvHN8dKT0Qdq9hJ2EWc-6ifO1cN )|͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://dNWmDKQMj3THLQIHrQKCvHbewX8UtT1P351LvPzDb_Ic`)׉ 7cassandra://n9-WQYiNTronoFC-AyhJPoQcHHlhK7Rbsq3IqcR45Js͑`J׉ 7cassandra://cXDtG9a4ZYHU4aCdMdAiP0JWWqTl80HrTpYW4laRdV8.h`̰׉ 7cassandra://qDfRtgwsGbhsD0TREw8022Rof5e3PbSVOHAHvN9DibQ`)׉ 7cassandra://bzoZEY_bFn-qJVl04AXRDG_bGm8vU0u1AheGRBBB8y0ͥl`J׉ 7cassandra://tRKpzTzLIQu8xO1liwiHWW1N0RSKfZxTqj6zCUGL9C8.`̰׉ 7cassandra://-M7p9BNzgGVCohve-QWGc4OxW3-tCOduxdNbEomqX7k-͙L͠`o7<gנ`o7<gu9ׁH$http://FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MAׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 RESHAPING | FROM PAGE 1 tablished a study committee to focus on the revitalization of Cliftondale Square. Revitalization is a “hot topic” During an organizational session at Wednesday’s meeting, members of the committee elected Vecchione to serve as its chair. Members elected Selectman Debra Panetta to serve as the secretary. Vecchione noted that there is “an appetite” shared by many Saugus residents for the revitalization of Cliftondale Square. He cited the recent survey results of Saugus United 2035 – the updating of the town’s Master Plan – which showed the revitalization of Cliftondale was “a hot topic” among some 700 residents who responded to a survey prepared by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The group is the town’s consultant on the updating of its Master Plan. The Master Plan will include parts that will focus on the revitalization of Cliftondale Square (see related story). The Cliftondale Revitalization Committee plans to hold monthly meetings between now and Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Some Saugus town officials say these two vacant bank buildings and the adjacent parking spots present some possible options that could prove beneficial to the betterment of Cliftondale Square. With a change in zoning, the two buildings could be knocked down to create room for a larger building – perhaps a restaurant – or the land area they encompass could be converted into a large parking area. Nov. 1 – the target date of filing its report with the Annual Town Meeting. The next meeting is set for Monday, April 26 at 7 p.m. via Zoom teleconferencing. The panel plans “a walk-through” session at Cliftondale Square in late May. The town is awaiting the completion of a parking and egress study of Cliftondale Square, which Vecchione said he hopes will be ready for the next meeting. Committee members plan to devote one meeting to a discussion with property owners in Cliftondale who rent out space to local businesses and another session with local businesses. Vecchione and other committee members see the adoption of mixed-use zoning as a major PARKING ON BOTH SIDES: Allowing drivers to park their vehicles on both sides of Lincoln Avenue – particularly near the Saugus Post Office – has created traffic congestion and safety concerns, a constant complaint over the years. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler) owners down in Cliftondale, because without having some kind of dialogue between us, I don’t see how they would want to go along with anything. I think the owners down there would be a good start to see where it could go.” While St. Margaret’s Church has been reluctant to sell or rent its parking lot in the past, the committee should look into the possibilities. She also mentioned that the committee should also check the status of the vacant Saugus Bank building and see if it’s available. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joe Vecchione: “As Mrs. Riley brought up, a public-private partnership is probably the most important part. While we can do a lot as a municipality, it really rests upon the private business owner…” He said he also wants to see a zoning overlay, noting that the recommendation for rezoning to mixed-use has been a recommendation in the past reports over a period of 40 years. Under the town’s current zoning codes, a building can be renovated or rebuilt, but not expanded. “I’m hoping to come out of this with the framework for a zoning code.” Veteran Selectman Debra PaBECOMING LESS RELEVANT? The Saugus Post Office has long been a key fixture and main reason for residents traveling to Cliftondale Square. But the Post Office, churches and even the bank are not as big a draw anymore for people frequenting the Square, according to Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Christopher P. Riley. component of successful revitalization of Cliftondale. “In my opinion, mixed-use would create that 24-7 vitality that is currently missing,” he said. Vecchione also sees the active engagement of property owners crucial to any meaningful revitalization. The town also needs to work with the property owners in crafting zoning that would enable property owners more flexibility in what they can do in developing their property – like build a building large enough to house a restaurant. A variety of views Here’s what the committee members had to say: Board of Selectmen ViceChair Corinne Riley: She has been a lifelong resident of Cliftondale, living in the same Oceanview Avenue home all of her life. “What I’d like to see is open communication, especially with the netta: She has been on the Board of Selectmen for nearly a decade and has been involved with Saugus local government for more than 30 years. “I think there are some things that we can do shortterm … especially with the spring, we could have a Farmer’s Market and bring more people into the Square.” She also suggested that it would be good to have events scheduled for the Cliftondale area on Founders Day instead of having the events exclusively in the Town Center. She said she is concerned that she hasn’t seen businesses doing much to improve the appearance of their buildings. “We all agree that parking is a disaster … parking on both sides of the street.” She says it is “dangerous” trying to maneuver your car.” “We do have a few liquor licenses available and we are holdRESHAPING | SEE PAGE 21 ׉ 7cassandra://OwwC3uNGWmm1jkpadF31hjxEyLvFYinsFNPqxnuq34o,#`̰`o7<g}׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 9 Local doctors weigh in on latest spike in COVID-19 cases By Christopher Roberson D octors at area hospitals agree that the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases was triggered not only by the variant forms of the virus, but also by countless individuals who have grown weary of living with a pandemic for the past year. On April 1, the state Department of Public Health reported that 55 communities were in the red category of COVID-19 transmission. Everett has slipped back into the red category with a positivity rate of 5.3 percent. Saugus is also in the red category with a positivity rate of 6.1 percent. Malden and Revere are in the yellow category with positivity rates of 3.9 and 3.8 percent, respectively. “Variants are contributing to the increase in cases in Massachusetts,” said Dr. Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha, division chief of infectious diseases at Cambridge Health Alliance. “The more infectious B.1.1.7 variant (UK variant) is increasingly being identified in Massachusetts and the P1 variant (Brazilian variant) is also beginning to increase.” On April 4, renowned epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm made a bold prediction on NBC’s Meet the Press. “Let me say that, at this time, we really are in a category five hurricane status,” he said. “At this point, we will see the highest number of cases reported globally since the beginning of the pandemic. We’re just at the beginning of this surge; we haven’t even really begun to see it yet.” Despite her deep respect for Osterholm, Bruno-Murtha said she is “more optimistic for Massachusetts.” “We have maintained a state mask mandate and our vaccination program has been increasingly efficient,” she said. “As of April 5, 38 percent of residents have received at least one vaccine.” She also said that time is of the essence regarding the ongoing rollout of the vaccines. “The quicker we administer vaccines, the sooner we will have the upper hand on this pandemic,” said Bruno-Murtha. “I remain hopeful we will not experience another surge in Massachusetts.” Dr. Brian Chow, an attending physician at Tufts Medical Center, said there are approximately 700 cases of the UK variant in Massachusetts. He said the Brazilian variant also gained a foothold following the recent outbreak on Cape Cod. “We are all very concerned about the trajectory of the number of cases, particularly in Massachusetts,” said Chow. “Whether the next surge arrives will depend on our actions today. Now is the time to act to prevent the next surge.” With Massachusetts now in the final phase of the Reopening Plan, Chow agreed with Bruno-Murtha that vaccinations must continue without delay. “We are in a race against time to get vaccines into arms,” he said. “It takes at least 14 days after the final dose of vaccine to be protected. For Pfizer or Moderna, that could be as long as five to seven weeks after the first dose.” Dr. Stephen Kissler of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health said that while the variants pose a signifiSelectmen seek candidate to fill vacant Saugus Cable TV Board of Directors seat A pplications are being accepted by the Saugus Board of Selectmen to fill a vacancy on the Saugus Cable TV Board of Directors. This is a nonpaying/volunteer position. Please submit your letter of intent to the Board of Selectmen, 298 Central St., Saugus, MA 01906 by April 31, 2021. Thank you. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA cant threat, another shutdown should not be necessary. He said that during the past year healthcare professionals have learned an incredible amount of information pertaining to the spread of COVID-19. For example, he said the probability of contracting the virus by going to the grocery store is fairly minimal, particularly when everyone is wearing a mask. In contrast, Kissler said indoor dining creates a much greater risk. “That’s the real concern that I have,” he said. Kissler also said there will likely be a short-term surge from those who went away for Easter or Passover. “I think we will probably see some surge,” he said. Dr. Benjamin Linas, an associate professor at the Boston University School of Medicine, said relaxing restrictions all but guarantees that the number of cases will escalate. “It is just a fact of life, like gravity,” he said. “Until we reach full herd immunity, this is just a law of nature.” Although Linas agreed with Osterholm about the possibility of a fourth surge, he continues to have a great deal of confidence in the vaccines. “We are in a truly novel position; we have never seen the epidemiology of COVID in the context of widespread vaccination,” he said. “It is definitely possible that we are in the first days of a surge, but it is also possible that the surge is ultimately truncated by successful vaccination efforts.” However, Linas said there is also the risk of variants developing that are immune to the vaccines. “That is possible, the best way to prevent that from happening is to end this before it happens, which means wearing masks and distancing while we vaccinate as fast as humans have ever vaccinated an entire population,” he said. However, Linas stressed that the uptick in cases is not the result of schools reopening. “Schools are too essential to loosely blame for epidemiology that has many other clear explanations,” he said. “Our goal should be to keep schools open, even with another surge, unless it becomes very clear that there is a great deal of inschool transmission occurring.” In addition, Linas said the reopening process has been moving too fast. “We are too quick to reopen indoor dining and to allow fans back at sporting events. I know that no one wants to hear this, but no one wants a fourth surge without acknowledging the laws of nature,” he said. “I am sensitive to the need for economic recovery and identify strongly with small business owners who are facing existential financial threats. But we are so close. I really think that with a concerted effort to limit our interactions and double down on masks and distance, combined with ongoing vaccination efforts, we could be at herd immunity by the end of the summer. We can see the finish line; now is the time to dig deep and begin the hard sprint to the end.” ׉ 7cassandra://tRKpzTzLIQu8xO1liwiHWW1N0RSKfZxTqj6zCUGL9C8.`̰`o7<g~`o7<g} PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://ZajRH4Bh1yPO5iGNd6wRp8_LtIZhwyqWJAZ5aQMKKYg `)׉ 7cassandra://SK-01ndxx_Z8WM7bzQVe05t2GRMvNUVy53mYbMkzZJAͣ`J׉ 7cassandra://G61sw7UWOpKFilv7-6G4dBE61r_m5ISKig2xRiji_LY*`̰׉ 7cassandra://mdBWDbfn6yVntomiC9gTEgwPpnWog5JleSGBsZOS8bQ0͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://UjjDHxqTrQlLbmZ4AKgr5k5RSmQFARR2jJTJJH1K6WY`)׉ 7cassandra://5n1Hvkt2fNksGAysfVtQ4l0OXcku8tbYNf29e-8tuHc͜`J׉ 7cassandra://mPwJnv-NEOFlTSQl5ZtMEbZuduXMe36_zxKE1DxQYDw$`̰׉ 7cassandra://O9ApDLB-zjLgkfW6qv9HSra78ytId7QV1fGW3aGzvzA͟I͠`o7<gנ`o7<g C9ׁHmailto:hs2information@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<g9ׁH!mailto:kellyslaterart@hotmail.comׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<g[̅9ׁHmailto:sau@noblenet.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gׁ̖9ׁHmailto:adevlin@aisle10.netׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gx9ׁHhttp://saugusSAVE.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<g:ف̥9ׁHmailto:jdgould1969@aol.comׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<g(̧9ׁHmailto:Jdgould1969@aol.comׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gd09ׁHhttp://brary.org/getׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<g9ׁHhttp://www.saׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<ģ9ׁHmailto:saugusplf@gmail.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. A “Shout-Out” to the garden builders We received no recommendations this week from readers who wished to recognize a fellow Saugonian for a good deed or for making a significant contribution to the betterment of Saugus. So, the editor’s choice for this week is a loud “Shout-Out” for all of those people who are involved with the plans to build a community garden this spring in the backyard of the St. John’s Episcopal Church rectory. Special praise goes to Rev. John T. Beach, who has been organizing a community effort to produce vegetables which will help fight food insecurity in Saugus. And a huge “Shout-Out” goes to Laura Eisener, who Rev. Beach has credited as the spark plug for this noble project. Laura is a local resident and agricultural expert who writes a weekly column for The Saugus Advocate – “Saugus gardens in the pandemic.” Anybody who feels like assisting the project or donating money or supplies to help out can contact Rev. Beach at 774-961-9881. I’m told that participation in this project by local school students could qualify for community service credits. Also, some young Saugus residents – as well as some old ones – might pick up some pointers on how to garden. Stay tuned for progress reports. Want to “Shout-Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@ comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout-Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. Selectman Panetta has Sachem pride Count veteran Saugus Selectman Debra Panetta as a proud Sachem supporter. “I enjoyed your article on Saugus and the Sachem logo,” Debra wrote in an email this week in a response to “A reader’s perspective” essay in last Friday’s edition by longtime local writer and occasional Saugus Advocate contributor Janice K. Jarosz. “I also agree with your opinion. Saugus residents take great pride in the rich history of our Town. We have tremendous respect for Native Americans and we don’t do anything to tarnish the Native American culture. “Thank you, Debra Panetta.” Any readers who would like to opine for or against the Sachem logo – or any other subject that interests them – should contact The Saugus Advocate about writing an essay for “A reader’s perspective.” One reader’s rant for comic relief Avid Saugus Advocate reader David Spink sent me an interesting email this week in response to last Friday’s paper, and I had a few good laughs for his effort at Saugus sarcasm. “Consequential week of news in Saugus as reported by the Advocate. “Following a Saugus tradition, a school committee member lets his mouth get a big head start on his brains. “Covid picture not getting any brighter in Saugus. My barber, who lives in Saugus and whose daughter went down to Florida for spring break. “With the blessing of Trump coat-holder Ron DeSantis, the lassie partied on unmasked and came home to Saugus with a case of Covid. “In the most important news of the week, the Advocate reported exclusively that worms were turning all over town, prompting an influx of returning Robins. “That’s just a sample of the kind of stories that make the Advocate a household word in Saugus.” A special birthday Every Aug. 7 – at least for the last 12 years – I have received a special package from Alden, Michigan, with several packs of cat treats and a birthday card GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who was sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who correctly identifies the Saugonians being sketched between now and Tuesday at noon qualifies to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location on Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) two weeks. But we will recognize the person featured in our “Sounds of Saugus” page. “The answer to last week’s sketch is one very busy wishing my long-haired Tuxedo cat a “Happy Birthday.” It’s a sweet gesture from Annette Notman – the sister of New Hampshire friend and former newspaper colleague Kathie Ragsdale, who I worked with at The Eagle-Tribune for many years. Annette looked after the mother who had the litter that produced Panda. Back in 2009, when I was a reporter at The Eagle-Tribune daily newspaper in North Andover, Kathie put the word out to folks in the newsroom that her sister was trying to find a home for several cats. Several ladies in the newsroom somehow talked me into taking one of the kitties. They even helped me pick him. Kathie and her husband, Rick Sibley, who live in Chester, N.H., drove my kittie Panda all the way from Michigan to my home in Methuen, where he is strictly a house cat. Panda is an unusual and very affectionate lap cat who loves to play fetch once in a while and hangs out in the bathtub and on the bathroom sink. He also likes to nap on my legs when I’m in a reclining chair watching television. And he also jumps into my bed at night and snuggles up to my chest after purring in my face to wake me up. Panda makes life interesting and is a great company. He also guards the house, earning his keep by capturing any field mice that might trespass in my house. No winners in last week’s contest For the third week in a row, there was no winner in our “Guess Who Got Sketched?” contest. Come to think of it, nobody gave an answer during the last lady! Rebecca Wise-Bono. “Rebecca is a Girl Scout Troop Leader for Saugus. She ensures her Troop gets the very best trainings, adventures and Entertainment for future growth and Inspirations. Rebecca oversees many projects as she ventures forth with her Troops! Rebecca had her first Girl’s Scout Troop from the Bario (gangs) in 1970 when she was in College in Southern California. She then started again in 1979 for her daughter and continued on since .She states, ‘that it has given me a long life of plenty of memories’ And to Quote Rebecca’s kind words ‘I guess I don’t say much because I don’t think of anything I do as special. I just do what I love doing and Sharing the benefits of Girl Scouts seems to be my passion. I have girls in their 40s that are community service minded because of what they learned as Girl Scouts, so I never really think of what I do… just of what they do because of it,’ Rebecca said. She is one amazing lady who wears many hats! Keep on shining forth Rebecca! “Yours Truly, “The Sketch Artist” Saugus Public Library Foundation seeks new board members (Editor’s Note: The following is a press release issued recently by the Saugus Public Library Foundation.) Do you love libraries? Do you want to help support public library services in Saugus? The Saugus Public Library Foundation (SPLF) is seeking people who can bring new ideas and energy to our Board of Directors. The SPLF is a 501(c)(3) charity which supports the Saugus Public Library. The Foundation Board returns 100 percent of the profits of all fundraising efforts to the Library by supporting events and funding purchases that are not typically covered by the Library’s Town-funded budget. In the past several years the Foundation has purchased electronic signage, a flat screen TV for the Community Room, new computers, new furniture, paid for a redesign of the Library’s THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 11 ׉ 7cassandra://G61sw7UWOpKFilv7-6G4dBE61r_m5ISKig2xRiji_LY*`̰`o7<g׉E+rTHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 11 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 10 web site, and sponsors the genealogy research tools used by Library patrons. Please consider joining the SPLF and helping to guide us in these efforts to enhance the Saugus Library experience. If you are interested, please contact us at saugusplf@gmail.com . For more information, visit our website. http://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/get-involved/saugusplf/ The Saugus Public Library Foundation was established in 2004 through significant gifts from the estates of Douglas Lockwood, Josephine Kibbey, and Marie Weeks, as well as funds turned over by the now-disbanded environmental nonprofit, Noblast, Inc., and smaller individual trust funds and bequests. The Foundation provides the means for the library to make long range plans and commitments using the interest earned on the principal balance of the Foundation, and promote and carry out charitable and fundraising activities. CHaRM Center Recycling Drop-Off site open for season The community’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) site will open on Saturday, April 17, 2021. This site will remain open to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. At the CHaRM center, the Town will accept the same recycling items that can be placed outside for curbside collection each week, such as paper, cardboard, bottles, cans and glass containers. No shredded paper is accepted for on-site recycling. Additional acceptable items include TVs and computers (up to three per year per address); car tires up to 22" (for a fee of $3); books; and textiles, such as clothing, bedding, pocketbooks, belts and shoes. Plastic bags are not permitted; residents are kindly asked to empty recyclables out of any plastic bags, and to remove the bags from the site. Also, rigid plastics are not being accepted for recycling at this time. Residents may call Lorna Cerbone at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781-231-4036 with questions or for more information. Compost site reopens The town compost site will be open to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning on Saturday, April 17. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. Stickers are required to gain seasonal access to the site. Stickers may be purchased for $25.00 at the Department of Public Works (DPW) located at the Compost Site when making your visit to the Compost Site. The Town accepts checks only for payment of the $25.00. No cash will be accepted. Kindly bring a check when visiting. Thank you! Compost site stickers must be permanently placed on the lower left corner of residents’ automobile windshields. Vehicles registered out of state are not permitted. Yard waste must be disposed of in brown compost bags or open containers. The Town will accept grass clippings, leaves and brush. As in years past, no branches or limbs larger than three inches in diameter are permitted. We ask all residents to please wear a mask and maintain and respect social distancing from others while visiting the site. Residents may call Lorna Cerbone at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781-231-4036 with questions or for more information. Curbside leaf collection next month The Town of Saugus announces that spring curbside leaf collection will take place during the week of May 10, 2021. Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day, between Monday, May 10, 2021, and Friday, May 14, 2021. Leaves should be left outside by 7 a.m. on the appropriate days. Please ensure that leaf containers are physically separated from trash and recycling. Paper leaf bags are the preferred method of leaf disposal. If you are using barrels, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Barrel covers must remain removed so that the leaves are visible. Plastic bags, cardboard boxes, branches and brush will not be accepted. Please note that separate trucks collect the rubbish, recycling and leaves, so the leaves may be collected at a different time of day. “Missed pick-ups” will not be conducted. Please contact Lorna Cerbone at 781-231-4036 with any questions. Help the Vietnam Vets “Roll To DC” This just in from Joseph “Dennis” Gould, a Vietnam War Era veteran who served four years with the U.S. Navy. He has organized a fund-raising drive that will help area Vietnam Era veterans visit Washington, D.C., in the fall of next year. “I am glad to announce that we will have a ‘Roll to DC’ for Vietnam Era Veterans from Melrose, Saugus, Lynn and surrounding towns September 2022. “The managers of this effort will be Saugus VFW Post # 2346. “Gould will be Chair and David Nelson, Saugus American Legion and Stacey Minchello, Melrose Senior Center will be Vice Chairs. “Stan King, Quartermaster Post # 2346 be Treasurer. “The trip will be a four night trip to DC staying at Presidential Inn on Andrews Air Force Base, home of Presidential Aircraft. It will include a ceremony and laying of a wreath at the Vietnam Wall and the Tomb of Unknown Soldier as well as visiting all Military Memorials and Statues. “We are looking for major sponsorship and donations from all. The Vietnam Veterans will go on this trip free, but it will take approximately $70,000 of sponsorship and donations,” Gould said. If you would like to be a major sponsor, please contact chairman Dennis Gould at cell 617-257-4847 or email Jdgould1969@aol.com If you would like to send in a donation, please make check out to: “Saugus VFW–Roll to DC” – write “Roll to DC 2022” in comment line and mail to: Saugus VFW Post 2346 190C Main St. Saugus, MA 01906 Any questions or if you would like to volunteer to assist the committee, please contact Dennis at contact info above. Dennis Gould 6 Serino Way Saugus, MA 01906 Cell: 617-257-847 Email: jdgould1969@aol.com SAVE Scholarship Time The local citizen group Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) is, once again, offering a $500 environmental scholarship to any Saugus resident graduating with the class of 2021 (from any high school) and pursuing a degree in any field which will positively impact the environment. This is a scholarship aimed at students who will be attending a two/ four-year college or other educational institution and pursuing a degree in an area that would positively impact the environment. Applicants can download the SAVE 2021 Environmental Scholarship Application Form found at www. saugusSAVE.org. Together with the completed application form, please include a separate sheet (identified with your initials only) that provides a brief summary of any of your activities relating to the environment and describes how you feel your career choice will positively impact the environment. Please mail your application (postmarked by April 23, 2021) to: SAVE, P.O. Box 908, Saugus, MA 01906 or email your application (no later than midnight on April 23, 2021) to: SAVE President Ann Devlin at adevlin@aisle10.net. Again, the deadline for applications is April 23, 2021. “Express Yourself! Fun and easy art experiments” Kelly Slater has been teaming up with the Saugus Public Library this winter and spring to present several free online workshops: “Express Yourself! Fun and Easy Art Experiments.” Ranging in subject from kitchen table printmaking to artist’s accordion books, the workshops share a common emphasis on fun and experimentation. No previous art experience is required and all art supplies will be provided free at the Saugus Public Library in “Take and Make” bags. The program began last month and there are two workshops left: The third session, which is scheduled for Thursday, April 15, will focus on drawing experiments and will invite participants to overcome any and all fears of drawing by letting go of control. The series will conclude on Thursday, April 29 with a foray into making accordion-style artists books. All sessions will last 90 minutes – running from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Workshops are open to ages teens through adults. Students may sign up for one or both sessions. Advance registration is required through the Saugus Public Library. At the end of the sessions, interested students can submit class work for a virtual art exhibit hosted through the Saugus Public Library website. To reserve your space at a free workshop, send an email to sau@noblenet.org with “SPL workshops” in the subject line. If you have questions about the content of the workshops, please contact Slater at kellyslaterart@hotmail.com with “SPL workshops” in the subject line. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Zoom support is provided by the Saugus Public Library, and select art supplies are provided by your local Artist & Craftsman Supply, which is located at 751 Broadway (Rte. 1 South) in Saugus. Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) continues The Grab-N-Go meals program returned for another year at the Saugus Public Schools to keep needy students from going hungry. Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2), in partnership with Whitsons Food Service, continues with its noble program. Breakfasts and lunches will be available for pick up at Veterans Memorial School at 39 Hurd Ave. every Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. HS2 is a nonprofit group that helps to offset food insecurity in households. HS2 provides a supply of nutritious food for weekends or school holidays during the school year. For more information or assistance, please email hs2information@gmail.com or visit the Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Facebook page. Food Pantry still open The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will continue to remain open on Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. despite concerns over the Coronavirus. They have made adjustments to protect their core of volunteers and the needy people who receive the food. For the protection of volunteers & clients, and to limit personal contact and crowding/gathering, the food pantry has been distributing prebagged groceries. Even though clients may receive items they don’t want or need, food pantry organizers feel this is the best course of action to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. Those in need, even for short-term or one-time assistance, are encouraged to come. The food pantry is in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Food help for veterans Saugus offers a Veterans Food Pantry on the third Wednesday of each month. “We have been holding it in Melrose since the Saugus Senior Center has been closed,” Saugus Veteran Services Officer Jay Pinette says. “The pantry provides a mix of fresh produce and non-perishable foods. The pantry is open to Veterans and/or surviving spouses. Registration is required and may be done by contacting the Veterans Services Office.” “The food market is generally held at the SauTHE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 16 ׉ 7cassandra://mPwJnv-NEOFlTSQl5ZtMEbZuduXMe36_zxKE1DxQYDw$`̰`o7<g`o7<g PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://3JiTY2X5Z-epDwdxfmqKiO6gpzs2cFOfAv72ZhwPSAw`)׉ 7cassandra://HU7v7c4OoygZZ-ktjYxXlhEeJ0tYicola-3_EMbJoLw͗j`J׉ 7cassandra://vw5W4cH_Mbp6hGhd3ia_3_ulYXzSW563zxyR96_joJE+|`̰׉ 7cassandra://oaNpH3Nt_NjtiZilMzd4ccyfRHQjerJGWkya_Vz4U-E^T͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://IsUIsyG6gmGChX7To-YWDcVbZMIKSwjCAePdV5nk0SY,`)׉ 7cassandra://7mFjxqJHu-_i8DpqZ3kaNqcoLl1U77yTu4GnKRtCqyI͠=`J׉ 7cassandra://LBmMccUVSX94HaaShqNHxZVRML2jxGjSodnnHw7emtw.)`̰׉ 7cassandra://jyu4AfxMvFT-ESnQqwXpby7nTqNCC95NyCQx5HcLMpkP ͠`o7<g׉EPage 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 SAUGUS GARDENS IN THE PANDEMIC Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener ho can deny that spring has turned a corner, when peepers can be heard in the evening and the goldfinches are now flaunting their summer plumage? Daffodils may be the most plentiful flower in town this week, but they have a few other early bulbs as companions, including the blue, white and yellow patterned ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ iris. The very early nonbulb perennial Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis and hybrids), the popular shrub forsythia (or golden bells, Forsythia intermedia), trees such as star magnolia (Magnolia stellata), weeping willow (Salix alba ‘pendula’) and several of the maples and poplars are blooming, too. Leaves are emerging on many plants, including rose bushes (Rosa spp.) and Montauk daisies (Nipponanthemum nipponicum). Pansies (Viola wittrockiana) are out in the nurseries and many have been planted in containers and gardens. If you find yourself wanW dering “Lonely as a Cloud” around town this week, you will find “a host of golden daffodils” (Narcissus spp.) in SauPURPLE BEAUTIES: A Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) in a shady Lynnhurst garden. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) gus Center and many other places. Under the crabapple on Town Hall lawn, just beginning to unfurl its reddish foliage, you will find both trumpet forms and cupped daffodils in bloom. There are many categories of daffodil, based on length of floral parts and on whether the plant typically has a single flower per stalk or several. There are also different size categories, from flowers even smaller and shorter than hybrid crocuses, to taller ones with showy flowers that may be over a foot tall. Bloom BLUE, WHITE AND YELLOW: A colorful Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ in a sunny Lynnhurst garden. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) time in Saugus varies from late March until late May. Usually the more fragrant types are the taller and later bloomers, while the shortest ones bloom earliest. The daffodil season seems to have started a little earlier than last year. Daffodils are categorized based on flower shape and other features. The most distinctive part is the corona. We might associate that word with other things these days, but it actually means crown, and you can see the resemblance to a crown as you look at the YELLOW FOR THE SPRING: A variety of daffodils in front of Town Hall. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) blossoms. The corona may be trumpet shaped, bowl or cup shaped, or disk shaped. Within the corona are the pistils and stamens. Surrounding it is the perianth, which consists of radiating petals and sepals that look so much alike that they are often referred to collectively as “tepals.” While we usually think of daffodils as bright yellow, the tepals may be pale yellow or white in some varieties. The corona may match the perianth or be very distinctively colored and contrast with the perianth colors. Bright yellow is very common, but pale pink, peach, white and greenish coronas are also possible, and some varieties have vermillion red stripes or bands. Which way do the daffodils face? The daffodils at the Civil War monument when I saw them were all dutifully lined up facing south just like the figure of “America” standing above them at the top of the monument. Like many other plants, they tend to face the sun. If they are planted against a wall, they will usually face away from that, so the little daffodils against the front of the Saugus Center Congregational Church face west, and those out in the center of the rotary face south, which is where the sun comes from most of the time. Daffodils are resistant to CELEBRATING THE SPRING: Pansies (Viola wittrockiana) and Easter Egg tree Planting near Fairmount Avenue flanked by bunny statues. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) FLOWERS FOR SAUGUS HEROES: Daffodils at the Saugus Civil War monument. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) deer, rabbits and most critters that happily eat tulips and crocuses, but the leaf tips of the daffodils may still be sampled, as many have been this spring. The flowers almost always emerge undamaged. It is to be hoped that everyone who enjoys the flowers this week will feel the same as English poet William Wordsworth, whose words were inspired by the yellow blossoms: “And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.” Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs, as well as perennials. She is also a member of the Saugus Garden Club and offered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town” shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired after seeing so many people taking up walking. ׉ 7cassandra://vw5W4cH_Mbp6hGhd3ia_3_ulYXzSW563zxyR96_joJE+|`̰`o7<g׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 13 Football Sachems rout Salem for 1st win H By Greg Phipps aving been substantially outscored in its previous two games, the Saugus High School football team turned that scenario around 180 degrees last Saturday at Swampscott’s Blocksidge Field in Phillips Park. The Sachems exploded for 28 first-quarter points and ended up coasting to a convincing 42-6 victory over the Salem Witches. The result left Saugus with its first triumph of the season while Salem remained winless on the campaign. After struggling to produce points through their first three contests (20 total points), the Sachems, now 1-3 on the season, wasted no time racking up numbers against Salem. Running backs Novell Omoruyi and Kyle Surette each contributed long touchdown runs (46 and 66 yards, respectively); Javi Martinez caught a nine-yard scoring pass, and Drew Gardiner ran back a punt 62 yards for the other first-period score. RBs Sal Franco and Omoruyi added two-point conversions to give Saugus a commanding 28-0 lead after the opening 12 minutes. Meet the 2021 SHS Sachems Football Cheerleaders to coast the rest of the way as the Witches were not able to mount any comeback. Quarterback Donovan Clark attempted just three passes but made good on all three, including the two TD throws to Martinez. In all, he had 54 yards through the air. “We were able to make a lot of plays.” The Sachems’ defense also stepped up, allowing just 150 yards of total offense by the Witches. It was a strong effort, especially after the D gave up Rabbit H By The Old Sachem e didn’t play serious basketball until he was Sachems Head Coach Steve Cummings confers with Co-Captain Kyle Surette (#21) and running back Dom Calder (#7) during last week’s battle against Swampscott. That would be pretty much all the Sachems would need as the Witches managed to respond with just one third-quarter touchdown. Martinez’s 24yard TD reception late in the first half (his second of the contest) followed by Justin Belluscio’s 11-yard scoring run and Franco’s two-point conversion later on accounted for the remainder of the Saugus points. The Sachems led 34-0 at the intermission and never looked back. They were able 14 years old, and he was denied playing in the better facilities; he played playground ball with his brothers, Sal and Kermit. He started playing in Washington, D.C., where he was born on September 16, 1934. Elgin Baylor was to become a star in junior high school, high school, college and pro basketball. His basketball nickname was Rabbit. Baylor started his career at (Advocate file photo) The ground game was the main story of Saugus’s offensive attack. Led by Surette’s 103 yards rushing, the Sachems amassed 207 yards running the ball. Sachems head coach Steve Cummings was obviously pleased to see his squad enter the win column with a dominant effort, particularly out of the gate. “That first quarter was our best start in the two years I’ve been coaching here,” he told the press after the game. the Southwest Boys Club and Brown Junior High in D.C. and went on to Phelps Vocational High School for the 1951 and 1952 seasons. He was faced with only playing against other black high school teams because of segregation in the city at the time. He was an All-City player at Phelps, where he averaged 18.5 and 27.6 points per season. He dropped out of school in 1952 and worked in a furniture store while playing basketball on city playgrounds. four straight touchdown drives to begin the game two weeks ago at Marblehead. Saugus is now hoping the Salem victory will be a springboard to more positive results. However, that won’t be easy as He returned to school to a new all-black Spingarn High School as a senior, and at sixfoot five was again an All-City player. Elgin was named firstteam Washington All-Metropolitan as the first black player to achieve this honor. He also won the SSA’s Livingstone Trophy as the areas-best basketball player for 1954. His average was 36.1 points per game. In a game against his old team, Phelps he scored 31 points in the first half, while accumulating four fouls. He was able to play the entire second half without fouling out and scored 32 more points for the record at the time of 63 points in a game for a high schooler in Washington. With an awkward high school academic record, he was not pursued for a college until a friend arranged a scholarship at the College of Idaho, and they expected Baylor to play both football and basketball because of his size. In his one season at Idaho, he averaged 31.3 points per game, but the college fired the basketball coach and restricted the scholarship Sachems Co-Captain Javi Martinez (#24) the Sachems return to Swampscott this Friday night to take on the 2019 Div. 5 Super Bowl champion Big Blue (scheduled 6 p.m. kickoff). after the year, so Baylor was without a chance to carry on at Idaho. A Seattle car dealer heard of the situation and interested Baylor in Seattle University. He had to sit out a year because of the transfer, so he played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) ball for Westside Ford, awaiting the next season at the Seattle college. He averaged 29.7 points and 20.3 rebounds per game in the 1956-1957 season for Seattle, then in his senior year averaged 32.5 points per game leading the Chieftains, who have since become the RedHawks, to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship game, the college’s only Final Four trip. Seattle lost to the Kentucky Wildcats, and Baylor was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers as the number one pick in the 1958 draft. Elgin, not being a student anyway, decided to leave the college early and signed an NBA contract with the Lakers. In November 2009 the Seattle College RedHawks named their basketball court the ElRABBIT | SEE PAGE 18 ׉ 7cassandra://LBmMccUVSX94HaaShqNHxZVRML2jxGjSodnnHw7emtw.)`̰`o7<g`o7<g PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://IkoIXol3v31dLf4oN5H7qqVCdBJXjwz43ydQ7PN8rowyY`)׉ 7cassandra://StIKhGS1qmdeoCjwpbvB07lUVBLT0eMbwEahgAHtPOg͌d`J׉ 7cassandra://z4Id06Tvad1FicAYMFtEgnkS0SsO4YY5DvagHLBQjBI.`̰׉ 7cassandra://T4LW2hO57NcmO_MGJdK2yIAkeJajkrl8X5ucoYLDLHE\ F͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://dX-8w18oKCZRLT6JgxyAQ-MIZRL5_b9U43DgvIqKANw1`)׉ 7cassandra://ikWeGIQ1KnxyKiTzb8d5C32oX5IPldAWOgymQtqZPzc͗`J׉ 7cassandra://ngISKgDbFmrY6xa7hsBtE250MDSu0l81_agebjwzmFs2d`̰׉ 7cassandra://oes9UHinwh-l3liFgMu7Vbjhk9A27bA_-d6Fnzq-DYcL͠`o7<g׉EAPage 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 SHS Sachems Football and Cheering Senior Night S By Tara Vocino augus High School Varsity Sachems Cheering squad members and football players were honored during Saturday’s Senior Game at Blocksidge Field in Swampscott. They won 42-6 against the Salem Witches. At parents’ requests, a second Senior Night will take place on April 17 at Stackpole Field. Senior Nico Dicenso stands with his mother, Anna, his sister, Sadie, and his father, Tony. (Courtesy photo, Maritza Martinez) Senior Hannah Phelan stands with Michelle Philbrook, Bobby Webber and Brendan Roon. Senior Jacqueline Greene stands with Susan Smith. Senior Sofia Iannello stands with her parents, Kim and Matthew Iannello. Cheer Co-Captain Amanda Pires stands with her family: Gina, John and Justin Pires. Cheer Co-Captain Julia Almeida stands with Peter and Alice Klopf. Senior Football Co-Captain Doug Clark stands with his mother, Lyn, and his brother, Dillon. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Senior Nathaniel Sanchez stands with his grandfather. Cheer Co-Captain Alyssa Milton stands with her family: Ruth, Brandon and Lindsay Milton. Senior Eric Miniscalco stands with his father, Dennis, his mother, Brenda, and his sister, Eden. Senior Novell Omoruyi stands with his mother, Susan, and his sisters, Surida and Kyra. ׉ 7cassandra://z4Id06Tvad1FicAYMFtEgnkS0SsO4YY5DvagHLBQjBI.`̰`o7<g׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 15 Senior Edlyn Dos Santos was joined by his biggest fan, Elizabeth Marchese. Senior Football Co-Captain Kyle Surette, who was named the Player of the Week, stands with his father, Eric. Senior Donny Ruby stands with his stepfather, Michael, his mother, Tammy, and his father, Sonny. Senior Javi Martinez stands with his mother, Maritza, and his siblings, Ricky and Karina. Senior Football Co-Captain Sal Franco stands with his mother, Tracey Currier, his brother, Dom Franco, and his father, Phil Franco. THE 2021 SHS SACHEMS CHEERLEADERS: front row, from left to right: Capts. Amanda Pires, Alyssa Milton, Julie Almeida and Maryemma LeBlanc. Second row, from left to right: Chloe Ayers, Hannah Phelan, Grace Goldberg, Jacquelyn Greene, Mckenna Zell. Third row, from left to right: Head Coach Courtney Whitaker, Maria Fernandez, Noelle LoConte, Maria Castle, Sofia Iannello and Ella LeBlanc. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) The Sachems defeated the Salem Witches 42-6 at Blocksidge Field on Saturday. ׉ 7cassandra://ngISKgDbFmrY6xa7hsBtE250MDSu0l81_agebjwzmFs2d`̰`o7<g`o7<g PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://vQHrmqO_60cTvvSVK5P23OM_U0YALsqtOKMe0jLQ8ro8`)׉ 7cassandra://jnF4wyOSNdnRMmZjD3wo3bK4T-vns5gPxPJ3fpDBHlo͋u`J׉ 7cassandra://VRDymygWgWUaRS-HuN1OLDZn6DReLFL41_RFHWTdhA4'`̰׉ 7cassandra://aDKVAqCiykdujaO6OPazSjVOCwV9tFtY8LODweHOF5s;͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://lbt8SCBFpZ4TVniFGJxWwtQoOD6BxVW-Ca8fhGpV7Uw`)׉ 7cassandra://TwlKLbI5sd_nrFa7-Iyq7eqPuyH6O0QFdIvOLeT6ccw͕`J׉ 7cassandra://nSUkSe8ojMadwN_K-qJEnpOd539TStGEiW90yPM2R_I)T`̰׉ 7cassandra://UHln5HeATt-EmZVzXudbXGyZ5Zjw_2oKmtk8UQPP9LUo͠`o7<gנ`o7<gˁ ?09ׁH!mailto:bob@beaconhillrollcall.comׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gʁX̻ 9ׁHhttp://www.wmexboston.comׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gɁXEN 9ׁHhttp://DIO.COMׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 11 gus Senior Center, but given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently offering a contact-free, drive-thru food pantry at Memorial Hall on Main Street in Melrose. If you are unable to pick-up, some limited deliveries may be available. This offering is year round. Please call the Saugus Veterans’ Service Office at 781-231-4010 or e-mail VeteransServices@ saugus-ma.gov in order to register. Proof of Veteran status is required.” Helping the Vet During these challenging times, your local Veterans’ Service Officers (VSOs) would like to share some information on a benefit program that is available to those who qualify. If you are a Veteran or the surviving spouse of a Veteran, the “Chapter 115 Benefits Program” is a Massachusetts state initiative that provides financial aid for Veterans and/or their surviving spouses who reside in Massachusetts and meet certain income and asset guidelines. Benefits may include monthly ordinary benefits and/or payment/reimbursement for medical expenses. Whether you are laid off, in transition or living on a fixed income, the program is designed to provide short-term or long-term assistance as needed to provide relief. The program is overseen by the Massachusetts Department Veterans’ Services (DVS), which runs the program in partnership with local VSOs. Every town or district in Massachusetts has a VSO. VSOs assist Veterans and their dependents in learning about, applying for and receiving Chapter 115 benefits. VSOs can also help you in applying for other benefits and connecting with local resources. Your local VSO handles applications, obtains program approval from DVS and provides local benefits. The program is funded by a combination of state and local funds. DVS pays for 75% of the approved benefits and your city or town pays for 25%. There are income and asset limits for the program. As a general rule, income and asset requirements are: Family of 1 – monthly income less than $2,081and an asset limit of $5,000. Family of 2 – monthly income less than $2,818 and an asset limit of $9,800. To determine if you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Chapter 115 program, visit the following link and follow the instructions – https://massvetben.org/ –or call your local VSO for more information. The VSOs are also able to help Veterans apply for Federal VA benefits and local benefits and provide food assistance monthly. For example, did you know that if you own a home and have a VA service–connected disability, you are eligible for a partial or full exemption of your property taxes? “Please contact your local Veterans’ Service Officer for more information on any of the services mentioned. We are all here to assist. We are regularly checking voicemails and emails as we continue to work remotely and in our offices throughout COVID-19.” Melrose: Karen Burke, 781-979-4186, kburke@cityofmelrose.org Wakefield: David Mangan, 781-246-6377, dmangan@wakefield.ma.us Saugus: Jay Pinette, 781-231-4010, jpinette@saugus-ma.gov Buy a brick to honor your vets “Veterans Buy-a-Brick Program. Due to the low number of orders and the uncertainty of how a Veterans Day ceremony will be allowed, the program will be extended until May. The installation of bricks will be during the Memorial Day ceremony. We will be contacting the people who have already purchased a brick. Any questions, please call 781-231-7995.” Side Door Pickup at the Saugus Public Library To help keep the building and staff warmer during the winter, the Saugus Public Library moved its Front Door Pickup service from Central Street to Taylor Street in mid-December. Patrons are required to place items on hold via the library’s online catalog and then, once notified that their item(s) are ready, to schedule a pickup date. Pickup times remain the same: Tuesday: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. “In addition to the slight change in location, the library has made it easier for its patrons to retrieve their items. Instead of waiting for a librarian to place your item on the table, we’ll place all scheduled holds on a table in the Taylor Street hallway. All you’ll have to do is walk in (one at a time, please, and don’t forget to wear a mask!) and retrieve the bag with your name on it. The library also provides remote printing pickup and take & make crafts from the Taylor Street hallway.” “And should you need assistance, a librarian will be standing by hallway to help. “Fast, simple, and easy!” For more information on this and other services, visit http://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been over five years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net. Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15- to 20-minute interview while practicing social distancing outside a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee. Or, if you prefer to be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation copes with the Coronavirus crisis. ׉ 7cassandra://VRDymygWgWUaRS-HuN1OLDZn6DReLFL41_RFHWTdhA4'`̰`o7<g׉ExTHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 17 Or tune into 1510 AM if you still have an AM radio. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen A note from Bob Katzen, Publisher of Beacon Hill Roll Call: Join me this Sunday night and every Sunday night between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. for my talk show “The Bob Katzen Baby Boomer and Gen X Show.” Jump in my time capsule and come back to the simpler days of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. There are many ways you can listen to the show from anywhere in the world: If you have a smart speaker, simply say, “Play WMEX on RADIO.COM”. Download the free RADIO. COM app on your phone or tablet and listen online at www.wmexboston.com. There were no roll calls in the House and Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on the number of times each representative sided with Gov. Charlie Baker on his 151 vetoes of items in the 2020 session. A two-thirds vote is required to override a gubernatorial veto. In a full 160-member House, the governor needed the support of 54 representatives to sustain a veto when all 160 representatives voted—and fewer votes when some members were absent, or a seat was vacant. Baker fell short of that goal as 46 votes was the most support he received on any veto. The House easily overrode all 151 vetoes, including 12 that were overridden unanimously. It was mostly the 31 GOP members who voted with the Republican governor to sustain the vetoes. No representatives voted with Baker 100 percent of the time. The three GOP members who voted with Baker the most times are Reps. Donald Berthiaume (R-Spencer) who voted with Baker 128 times (84.7 percent); Shawn Dooley (R-Norfolk), 119 times (78.8 percent); and David DeCoste (R-Norwell), 116 times (76.8 percent). The three GOP members who supported Baker the least number of times were Rep. David Vieira (R-Falmouth) who sided with the governor only 41 times (27.1 percent); Timothy Whelan (R-Brewster) 60 times (40.5 percent); and Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) 79 times (52.3 percent). The vetoes had little support among the 127 Democrats in the House. Only 22 (17.3 percent) of the chamber’s 127 Democrats voted with Baker to sustain any vetoes while the other 105 (82.7 percent) did not support the governor even once. The Democratic representative who supported Baker the most times was Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge) who sided with Baker 11 times (7.2 percent). PERCENTAGE OF TIMES LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES SUPPORTED BAKER’S VETOES IN 2020 Here is how your representative fared in his or her support of Baker on the vetoes. The percentage next to the representative’s name represents the percentage of times the representative supported Baker. The number in parentheses represents the actual number of times he or she supported Baker. Some representatives voted on all 151 roll call votes. Others missed one or more of the 151 votes. Each record is based on the number of roll calls on which a representative voted and does not count the roll calls for which he or she was absent. Rep. Jessica Giannino Was not yet elected Rep. Donald Wong 66.8 percent HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of March 29-April 2, the House met for a total of nine minutes while the Senate met for a total of 33 minutes. Mon. March 29 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:04 a.m. Senate 11:27 a.m. to 11:37 a.m. No Senate session No Senate session Tues. March 30 No House session Wed. March 31 No House session Thurs. April 1 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate 11:42 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Fri. April 2 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com ׉ 7cassandra://nSUkSe8ojMadwN_K-qJEnpOd539TStGEiW90yPM2R_I)T`̰`o7<g`o7<g PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://DDwmiTxkmeyOPZjl8uexb5lKkEyKTjCObFKTiY2mFU0 ќ`)׉ 7cassandra://kDOADMVJv3Ghq9ztyO5ZpmCzuv4gkpjD33kuBzhdVRkͣ`J׉ 7cassandra://sOZOTLwLfASS9-TqKwpcIUW-u-76xDb_Ay-ShuxxbNU-`̰׉ 7cassandra://7EAHbl1jJ3OGHRBVX9V4-6MZYnqcEx8lFFRigMAsC7cN/$͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://JWELff5cJUZrsgeTwt5rWTJIj66LzzLlbTDSf4sTr2Q `)׉ 7cassandra://k5mMwby1V0EEcjHC7KMrAP6B1lSVc51kr4ktu1HX4kM͗`J׉ 7cassandra://L8CTbsAhYVT2wLYyxPANTcmaTSheCaFDPwIslDKG28Y'`̰׉ 7cassandra://mZ-KzNuNcfTVg8z9i6mrK7fGv0NVbQ0vIqUOKscJLOA͠`o7<g͕נ`o7<gׁ +̢9ׁHhttp://sherhouseboston.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gցځ̄9ׁHhttp://HouseBoston.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gՁD9ׁHhttp://heart.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gԁ:[Q9ׁHhttp://cancer.orgׁ ׁ Јנ`o7<gӁHnN9ׁHhttp://stjude.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E#Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 CORONAVIRUS | FROM PAGE 6 contamination. The state has indicated the site will remain open until further notice. “This information will be on the Town’s website and on the state’s website: https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ stop-the-spread?rgja#saugus“The Board of Health and 1. April 9 is annual National Unicorn Day; what is depicted in the seven Unicorn Tapestries on display at the Cloisters in NYC? 2. What organization’s motto and slogan are “Be prepared” and “Do a good turn daily,” respectively? 3. What was known as the Morris worm? 4. On April 10, 1955, who successfully tested a polio vaccine? 5. According to FIFA, a soccer goalie can hold onto the ball for no longer than how many seconds: six, 10 or 15? 6. How are Lady Baltimore, Betty and Pavlova similar? 7. What is the deepest tunnel in North America? 8. Which U.S. president during World War I kept a fl ock of sheep at the White House to keep the grass trimmed save money and support the war eff ort? 9. On April 11, 1868, BPOE was founded; what does BPOE stand for? 10. What are Zoomers? 11. On April 12, 1985, Space Shuttle Discovery launched – with what toy that does tricks? 12. In 1895 volleyball was invented in what Western Massachusetts city known as “The Paper City”? 13. On April 13, 1964, what African American won Best Actor for “Lilies of the Field”? 14. What is sugaring off ? 15. The first floppy disks measured what diameter inches: three, fi ve or eight? 16. On April 14, 1927, Clarence Birdseye of Gloucester, Mass., in the UK patented “Improvements in Methods of Preparing Fish Foods” to make what product? 17. The fi rst seven pro football players known to get paid mostly played for the Allegheny Athletic Association of what state (in the 1890’s)? 18. How are Bedouin, bivvy and geodesic similar? 19. Whose fi rst novel was serialized from spring 1836 in 19 popular issues and called “The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club”? 20. On April 15, 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was born, who painted “La Joconde” (or “La Gioconda”), which is better known as what? ANSWERS the Saugus Health Department will continue to partner with the state and are working on a planned response to the COVID-19. They are analyzing the data from the past couple of weeks and developing specifi c strategies to combat the spread through additional enforcement and intervention measures. We need to do whatever is necessary to keep ourselves, family, neighbors, and communities safe. Continue to wear your masks, wash hands, avoid gatherings, and continue to follow the CDC and MDPH guidelines.” RABBIT | FROM PAGE 13 gin Baylor Basketball Court. Each year the school hosts the Elgin Baylor Classic in the Seattle KeyArena where the RedHawks now play. He was in the inaugural class of inductees into the College of Idaho Hall of Fame. During his college career he averaged 31.3 points and 19.5 rebounds per game, leading the NCAA in rebounds during the 1956-1957 season. The Lakers convinced him to skip his junior year and join the pro ranks. The team was in trouble on the court, and also at the gate, as the team had a record of 19 and 53 the year before Baylor joined the team. He signed for $20,000 per year and was seen as the last chance for survival for the Lakers. Bob Short, the owner of the Lakers, in a 1971 interview with the Los Angeles Times stated, “If he had turned me down then, I would have been out of business. The club would have gone bankrupt.” In Baylor’s rookie year in the 1958-1959 season, he averaged 24.9 points and 15.0 rebounds per game, and he scored 55 points in a single game. The Lakers went from last place the year before to the NBA Finals in the 1959-1960 season, but lost to the Boston Celtics in the fi rst four-game sweep in the NBA. During his career he led the Los Angeles Lakers to eight NBA Finals. During the next three seasons he averaged 34.8, 38.3 and 34.0 points per game. On November 15, 1960, he set an NBA scoring record with 71 points RABBIT | SEE PAGE 19 S y Senior How to Help Your Elderly Sa e a H t H l BY JIM MILLER Senio nior nr Eldl ior Parent with Their Finances Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you off er on helping an elderly parent with their fi nances? My 84-year-old father is having trouble keeping up with his bills and insurance, and I just found out that he’s been making contributions to a suspicious charity. Reluctant Daughter Dear Reluctant, Many adult children serve as fi nancial helpers to their elderly or ill parents. They provide services like paying bills, handling deposits and investments, fi ling insurance claims, preparing taxes and more. Here are some tips and resources that can help you help your dad. Start with a Conversation Taking on the task of helping an elderly parent with their fi - nances can be a sensitive and diffi cult topic. The fi rst step in helping your dad is to have a respectful talk with him expressing your concerns, as you stated in your question, and offering to help him with his fi - nancial chores. If you have siblings, it can be a good idea to get them involved too. This can help you head off any possible hard feelings, plus, with others involved, your dad will know everyone is concerned. Get Organized If your dad is willing to let you help manage, monitor or take over his fi nancial aff airs your fi rst order of business is to get organized by making a list of his fi nancial accounts and other important information. Your list should include his: Contact list: Names and numbers of key contacts like insurance agents, fi nancial advisor, tax preparer, family attorney, etc. Monthly bills: Phone, cable, water and trash, gas, electric, credit card accounts, etc. Financial accounts: Including bank accounts, brokerage and mutual fund accounts, safe-deposit boxes and any other fi nancial assets he has. Also get usernames and passwords for financial accounts that are set up online. Company benefi ts: Any retirement plans, pensions or health benefi ts from his current or former employer. Insurance policies: Life, home, auto, long-term care, Medicare, etc. Taxes: Copies of your dad’s income tax returns over the past few years. Locate Important Documents This is also the ideal time to fi nd out if your dad has the following essential legal documents: A will; an advance directive that includes a living will and health-care proxy, which allows you or another family member or friend to make medical decisions on his behalf if he becomes incapacitated; and a durable power of attorney, which gives you or a designated person similar legal authority for fi nancial decisions, if needed. If he doesn’t have these important documents prepared, now is the time to do it. And if they are prepared, make sure they’re updated, and you know where they’re located. Simplify Financial Tasks The quickest way to help your dad simplify his monthly fi nancial chores is to set up automatic payments for his utilities and other routine bills and arrange for direct deposit of his income sources. If your dad has savings and investments scattered in many diff erent accounts, you should consider consolidating them. You can also set up your dad’s bank system and investment accounts online, so you can pay bills and monitor his accounts anytime. Set Up Protections To guard against scams and risky fi nancial behaviors, consider getting your dad a True Link Visa Prepaid Card (TrueLinkFinancial.com/card). Designed for older adults with cognitive issues this card would provide your dad access to his money but with restrictions that you set on how funds can be spent. Or check out EverSafe. com, a web-based service that will automatically monitor your dad’s accounts, track suspicious activity and alert you when a problem is detected. Seek Help If you need help or live far away, consider hiring a daily money manager (see AADMM.com) who can come in once or twice a month to pay bills, make deposits, decipher health insurance statements and balance his checkbook. Fees range between $60 and $150 per hour. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 1. “The Hunt of the Unicorn” 2. The Boy Scouts of America 3. A 1988 computer virus 4. Dr. Jonas Salk 5. Six 6. They are desserts named after women. 7. Boston’s Ted Williams Tunnel (90 feet below Boston Harbor) 8. Woodrow Wilson 9. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 10. They are children who appeared on the Zoom children’s entertainment series. 11. A yo-yo 12. Holyoke 13. Sidney Poitier 14. Making maple syrup into sugar 15. Eight 16. Frozen fi sh fi ngers 17. Pennsylvania 18. They are types of tents. 19. Charles Dickens’ 20. “The Mona Lisa” (Gioconda means jocund and is a pun on the feminine form of her married name, Giocondo.) ׉ 7cassandra://sOZOTLwLfASS9-TqKwpcIUW-u-76xDb_Ay-ShuxxbNU-`̰`o7<g׉E THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 19 OBITUARIES Joanna (Lanovara) Correnti Of Revere, formerly of Malden and Saugus, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2021. She was 83 years old. Joanna was the wife of the late Salvatore J. Correnti. She was the beloved mother of Denise Gibson and her husband Carson of Revere. Joanna was the dear sister of Vincent Lanovara and his companion Linda May and Joseph Marino and his wife Carmen. She was the cherished grandmother of Matthew Black and his wife Gina, Amanda Garbarino and her husband Nicholas, and Igna Gibson, and great grandmother of Ronald, Owen, Victoria, Julia, Vincenzo and Brooklyn. She is also survived by nieces and nephews. In lieu of fl owers donations in Joanna’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org. Elena “EL” (Cravotta) Lally Age 81, of Saugus, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, March 27, 2021, at MGH in Boston. She was born on April 6, 1939, in Boston, 1 of 7 children of the late Guiseppe and Maria (Ingala) Cravotta. EL was a caring, supportive, loving, funny, and outspoken wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. She will be missed by all of those who were blessed enough to have her in their life. 88 years, died on Saturday, April 3 at the Blueberry Hill Nursing Home in Beverly. She was the wife of the late Anthony F. Serino. Born in Lynn, she was a lifelong resident of Saugus. Mrs. Serino was the daughter of the late Edgar & Margaret (Husson) Milley. Briefl y a member of the Red Hat Society, she enjoyed cooking, sewing and the Boston Globe crosswords. She was a doting grandmother who cherished her time spent with her loving grandchildren. “Nana,” was very independent and never asked for anything. Her greatest joy came from time spent with her loved ones. Some of Louise’s fondest memories were of the annual family vacation on Stinson Lake in New Hampshire. She also enjoyed traveling with her sisters and their spouses. Louise was an avid reader and loved country music, especially Luke Bryan and Garth Brooks. She is survived by her four children; Steven Serino & his wife Joann of Saugus, Susan Norkum and John “Jazz” Abbott of Georgetown, Lisa Godbout & her husband Robert of Rowley, Shana McCarrier & her husband Elena is survived by her loving husband of nearly 32 years, Frank Lally. Her daughter, Darlene Bowe of Saugus and her late husband Wally; her son, William LaFlamme and his wife Rhonda of East Boston, and the late Michael LaFlamme. Elena was the youngest of her seven siblings. Sister of Ralph Cravotta and his wife Connie of Peabody, Sal Cravotta and his late wife “Honey” of Everett, and the late Phillip Cravotta, Mary Livolsi, Phyllis Interbartolo, and Filippa Cravotta. Sister-in-law to Mary Pesta and her husband John of Rehoboth, Eileen Capozzi and her husband Mike of Saugus, Jean Waple of Melrose, Carol Finnochio and her husband Tony of Peabody, and Danny Lally and his wife Kathy of North Reading. “Nana” is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Janae Gordon and her husband Mark of Peabody, Jillian Bowe and her partner Matt Ciampa of Saugus, Sabrina Ciulla of East Boston, Marie Cuilla and her partner Miguel Berrios of Chelsea, and Kristina Ciulla of East Boston, along with her cherished 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 45 Brooks St., East Boston, at 11:00 am on May 1, 2021. Louise E. (Milley) Serino Bruce of Saugus. Mrs. Serino was the sister of Arthur Milley of Groveland, Betty Ann Gannon of Alton, NH and the late Evelyn Manning. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces & nephews. In lieu of fl owers donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org. Frank A. Recupero Age 90, of Saugus, formerly of East Boston, died at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Thursday, April 1. He was the husband of the late Jessie G. (Dunn) Recupero. Born in Boston and raised in East Boston, Mr. Recupero was the son of the late Paul and Rose (Casco) Recupero. He was a retired electrician for the City of Boston and was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean Confl ict. Mr. Recupero is survived by two children, Deborah Dietz and her husband Kenneth of Saugus and Frank Recupero, Jr. of CA; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters, Josephine Henry of Carver and Laura Mansfi eld-Skarda of East Boston. He was predeceased by three children, Rosemary Monahan, David Recupero and Roy Recupero; one grandchild, Shawn; fi ve brothers, Robert, Richard, Joseph, Paul and Chickie Recupero. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association at heart.org or the Fisher House for Veterans Families at FisherHouseBoston.org. Rosaria “Sarah” (Siracusa) Gerome Fondly known as Nonnie, age 99, of Saugus, formerly of East Boston died peacefully at home on March 30. She was the wife, for 69 years, of the late Stephen R. Gerome. Nonnie will always be remembered for her love of music and dance, her baked manicotti, her dedication to her family, her faith in her church and her allegiance to veteran causes. Her family immigrated from Sicily and settled in East Boston. She had fi ve brothers and one sister. She raised three sons of whom she was immensely proud and who were the light of her life. The one who wasn’t present was always the most handsome. She endured countless hours of Boston sports conversations. She had a clever sense of humor. Later in life she became a devoted “Nonnie” to her granddaughters. A resident of Saugus for 65 years, Mrs. Gerome was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Antonetta Siracusa. She is survived by her three sons and their spouses, Stephen J. Gerome of Saugus, Stan and Linda Gerome and of Coral Springs, FL & Stuart and Karen Gerome of Greenland NH; four grandchildren; Eleanor, Nikki, Michaela and Serena, one great grandchild; Evelyn, as well as many nieces and nephews. In lieu of fl owers, donations in her memory may be made to Fisher House Boston at fi sherhouseboston.org. RABBIT | FROM PAGE 18 against the New York Knicks and had 25 rebounds during the contest. Baylor was a United States Army Reservist and was called to active duty in 1962, stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, but was able to play for the Lakers on weekends. He was only able to play 48 games during 1961-1962, but he managed to score over 1,800 points. In the playoff s that season in game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics, he notched 22 rebounds and set the NBA record for a Final series game with 61. While the Lakers had a seven-game series loss to the Celtics, Baylor averaged 40.6 points and 17.9 rebounds per game for the series. He suff ered many injuries during his career and required knee surgery in 1965. He only played two games in the 1970-1971 season before rupturing his Achilles tendon and fi nally retired, while the Lakers won the NBA championship. He was awarded a 1972 championship ring, although he retired before the playoff s. During his NBA career he scored 23,149 points and had 3,650 assists and 11,463 rebounds in his 846 career games. Baylor was a 10 time All-NBA First Team selection and an 11 time All-Star. He was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977, was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1980 and the NBA 50th Anniversary AllTime Team in 1996. In 2009, SLAM Magazine ranked him number 11 among their list of the Top 50 NBA players of all time. On April 6, 2018, a statue of Baylor – designed by Gary Tillery and Omri Amrany – was unveiled at the Staples Center before the Lakers game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His NBA career spanned two seasons with the Minneapolis Lakers and 12 with the Los Angeles Lakers after they moved west. In 1974 Baylor was hired as an assistant coach and late as the head coach of the New Orleans Jazz. His 86-135 record with the Jazz led to his retirement in 1979. In 1986 he became the Los Angeles Clippers vice president of basketball operations and performed the position for 22 years. Baylor died on March 22, 2021, at the age of 86 in Los Angeles, California. Quite a run for a boy who was denied big-time high school competition during segregation in the nation’s capital. ׉ 7cassandra://L8CTbsAhYVT2wLYyxPANTcmaTSheCaFDPwIslDKG28Y'`̰`o7<g`o7<g PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://1dAvrgOnz77XyoX2NwNCOp02cRyxAu5n0t5dZw0RTIs`)׉ 7cassandra://idWTnuGKEIpuZy0EHHIr6ELrYdJHMN1g0GdAJo7qpGUͤ`J׉ 7cassandra://WlJZ6JH7615FsC5-6ihmiU6R23CoWkaNzV1VY_iRkCM4`̰׉ 7cassandra://Ynqg5MIQvvqVykQTozHI8xaGy4sAE24yoTj3s8XordUS4͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://M1mo-9S-7PEXxB5ljNMbm1KntymBFy2U4ahdz7zcKBcxm`)׉ 7cassandra://d_4gyvhs1aq3ZdksubCC8ba6dgNZbXXRy3yE6cMnhXs͜`J׉ 7cassandra://Qre5L3b3g0GGrTypwWHCCb3MHk8w2vuCm3V1Yj0kq4U,`̰׉ 7cassandra://9latVqf6vE4xp9O9zF0SU5g_AthzwIiSoBRaOmiUEkUC~]B͠`o7<g׉EPage 20 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 WASTE REMOVAL & BUILDING MAINTENANCE • Landscaping, Lawn Care, Mulching • Yard Waste & Rubbish Removal • Interior & Exterior Demolition (Old Decks, Fences, Pools, Sheds, etc.) • Appliance and Metal Pick-up • Construction and Estate Cleanouts • Pick-up Truck Load of Trash starting at $169 • Carpentry LICENSED & INSURED Call for FREE ESTIMATES! 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Rossetti, Jr., who also chairs the Planning Board: He has lived in Cliftondale 70 years. The Saugus native has been involved in the town’s political issues for a half century. Through the Massachusetts Industrial Financing Agency, he and his father received CARD designation, enabling them to obtain funding to build their insurance building. “There’s very little incentive for landlords to do anything because if they do things, then they have to bring things into ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] conformance, which can be a major expense, and in some cases, just not possible.” He noted other issues, like parking. There is actually suffi cient parking, like the church parking lot, but they are not accessible, he said. “At one point, we had a potential plan to open up all of the spaces behind the buildings and connect the different parking lots. But that idea never got through the town.” If the town is considering a restaurant, the ideal situation is to eliminate the small, single-story cinder block buildings, take a large area and create a three-or-fourstory building with stores and restaurants on the fi rst fl oor and apartments above. The potential for apartments is enhanced because the area is on a bus line, according to Rossetti. He noted that the Overlook Ridge apartment community is about a mile down the road from Cliftondale – about 3,000 units – which provides housing for many potential clients and customers of Cliftondale businesses. Precinct 1 Town Meeting Member Sue Palomba: She has lived in Saugus for 21 years – 17 years in Cliftondale. She talked about seeing a woman get hit by a car in Cliftondale because of the dangerous traffi c conditions. “I would like to see some sort of sign or light system” in the area near the Saugus Post Offi ce. She would like to see a speed limit sign placed in the area. She noted that North Shore Bank has two vacant buildings with parking in the back. She said the town really needs senior living apartments for residents who are no longer able to live in their homes. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Christopher P. Riley: He is the husband of Selectman Riley. “If you go back 30 to 40 years – Cliftondale’s heyday, so to speak – the things that were the big draw in Cliftondale, they’re not big draws anymore. Churches don’t have near the draw that they used to. That’s a big part of Cliftondale. The Post Offi ce has become increasingly irrelevant in recent years. Even the banks. We’ve lost two banks in the past year...Cliftondale was built for a diff erent time.” He noted that the space of buildings is limited to the point where there is nothing available to accommodate “a decent-sized restaurant.” And the problem is growing worse, he said. But Cliftondale is still “an appealing location.” Riley said he would love to see the two vacant bank buildings and the parking lot behind them go to one owner who would develop it for something useful in RESHAPING | SEE PAGE 22 FRANK’S Housepainting (781) 289-0698 • Exterior • Ceiling Dr. • Power Wash • Paper Removal • Carpentry FREE ESTIMATES — Fully Insured Office/Commercial Space for Lease “Proper prep makes all the difference” – F. Ferrera • Interior 3 Large rooms, each with walk-in storage area. Ideal for Law Office or Aerobics Studio. Like new condition. Second floor elevator direct to unit. Seperate entrances - New Baths - Large Parking Area. On MBTA Bus Route #429. Located on Route 1 South at Walnut Street. Rollerworld Plaza Rte. 1 South 425 Broadway Saugus Call Michelle at: 781-233-9507 ׉ 7cassandra://Qre5L3b3g0GGrTypwWHCCb3MHk8w2vuCm3V1Yj0kq4U,`̰`o7<g`o7<g PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://4haF9_QRRFGdOhh_Cp7l1NhDtf7uJV5_lsDKRaDfyYQ %`)׉ 7cassandra://apTXA4vJ-6IeVeKfqTNazXLU6RX1IAmDXhKtGrYrq7Yͫ`J׉ 7cassandra://l13Z1fT8_nsa1gQJqbC137nCy9WnSXmZzrTN751Eueg11`̰׉ 7cassandra://S7uydaKrHwmtnPSWYGAUN3If57E-bCXCEAKnkmTaxFA҉͠`o7<gט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://Xm_NbWDgsqVkZtnVVAfmwI-HPSkm_aQkkpQw1hnJAEo`)׉ 7cassandra://L2qJ5-u9u_IkTzgF5W_JEZOsvQbx5am9bNSJWLVAU54͐`J׉ 7cassandra://hybLYIwLjPo26nY_QV2p_akLGGNS9YEFd5UnVufjGX0-+`̰׉ 7cassandra://DMd3briMGriAQCwabZTGfCZXuRXlAuXfp-gkjdlS5WYWͫ͠`o7<gߑנ`o7<g(9ׁHhttp://www.jrs-properties.comׁ ׁ Ј׉EYPage 22 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 RESHAPING | FROM PAGE 21 Cliftondale. “To me the landowners down in the Square – they effectively hold all of the cards, I think, on what they may or may not be willing to do with their land or their buildings. If we only have these sites that are too small to have a real restaurant, then we will never have a real restaurant. … So, it’s really the landowners or people who become the landowners who will have the ultimate say in whether Cliftondale turns around or not. Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Allen V. Panico: He is a lifelong Saugus resident. He said it would be nice to see more mom and pop stores in Cliftondale. He remembers years ago when the merchants of Cliftondale would have appreciation day, similar to a Founders Day event. He said he would like to see the neighborhood cleaned up and some events that would draw more people to the area. Precinct 4 Town Meeting Member Glen R. Davis: He said he has lived in Saugus most of his life. “We used to go to Cliftondale Square all of the time when we were kids. Chris Riley said that was kind of the place to go and hang out. … It really has gone downhill. It is something that can be revitalized. There’s a lot of good ideas in the (past) studies... Something that needs to happen is to get more parking. The church (St. Margaret’s) seems to balk at different things. Maybe we can incentivize it. Maybe it’s a toll type thing where people can have metered parking and the money goes back to the church. That would kind of be a ‘win-win’ for everybody. There would be parking available and then maybe the church could make money off it. The same thing with parking on the street. But they need to mitigate the situation there where you are driving through, maybe have parking just on one side so it’s not as dangerous trying to pass through there. Trying to get a firetruck through there with cars parked on both sides is very dangerous….As far as all the stakeholders down there, they should be willing to give their input to this committee as far as what they would like to see. We can do bylaw changes. We can do zoning changes, Whatever … they want that seems feasible.” Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Julie Ann Mitchell: “Parking is definitely a problem. I loved hearing everybody’s ideas. But, it’s the businesses that we should be reaching out to, and seeing what they need and what they want. But definitely a restaurant and something that is going to bring in a lot of people – not just someone running in (a convenience store) to grab a gallon of milk … but something that people are going to want to go to all of the time.” Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie M. Bartolo: “Everything all of you guys said was awesome. But that was for the future.” She said she is happy to learn that a new Christmas tree will be installed in the rotary. She hopes to see banners bearing student photos installed on utility poles again to congratulate graduating seniors at Saugus High School. She said she would like to see more plants and planters installed in Cliftondale. “Do something aesthetically right now,” she said, to provide shopkeepers with an incentive. “Do these few little simple things that don’t cost a lot of money … Right now, there are a ton of tiny little things to make the Square aesthetically more pleasing.” Precinct 8 Town Meeting Member Thomas E. Traverse was absent from Wednesday’s meeting. His time as chair of the Town Manager’s Economic Development Committee makes him invaluable in discussing economic development–related issues in Cliftondale, according to Vecchione. REAL ESTATE TRANSAC TIONS Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com. BUYER1 Luzha, Bentor BUYER2 Luzha, Veli Franco, Candace SELLER1 Big A LLC Springer, Anthony Villesenda, Princess M Bergstrom, Andrea I Vivace, Anthony G Vivace, Nancy E Springer, Anthony Villesenda, Princess M Bergstrom, Andrea I SELLER2 ADDRESS 7 Saugus Ave 42 Eagle Rd CITY DATE PRICE Saugus 17.03.2021 $820 000,00 Saugus 15.03.2021 $390 000,00 17 Oceanview Ave Saugus 15.03.2021 $500 000,00 42 Robins Rd #42 Saugus 15.03.2021 $390 000,00 ׉ 7cassandra://l13Z1fT8_nsa1gQJqbC137nCy9WnSXmZzrTN751Eueg11`̰`o7<g׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 Page 23 Follow Us On: COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES & RENTALS Welcome Spring! Sandy Juliano Broker/President House prices are still hot and inventory is still low, call today to learn what your house is worth in the spring market. WE KNOW EVERETT!! Call TODAY to sell or buy with the best! LISTED BY MICHAEL OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY SOLD! SINGLE FAMILY 40 EASTERN AVE., REVERE $464,888 LISTED BY SANDY SOLD! 3 BEDROOM SINGLE 158 GROVER ST., EVERETT $589,900 EVERETT RENTAL 2 BEDROOM CALL NORMA FOR DETAILS 617-590-9143 UNDER AGREEMENT! TWO FAMILY 141 GARLAND ST., EVERETT $925,000 CALL SANDY FOR DETAILS: 617-448-0854 LISTED BY ROSEMARIE COMMERCIAL BUILDING 14,000 SQ FT LOT SQUIRE RD., REVERE $1,700,000 EVERETT RENTAL 3 BEDROOMS, 2ND FLOOR HEAT, COOKING GAS & HOT WATER INCLUDED $2,700/MONTH SECTION 8 WELCOME PLEASE CALL SANDY FOR DETAILS 617-448-0854 LYNNFIELD RENTAL 1 BEDROOM $1,600/MO CALL JOE FOR DETAILS 617-680-7610 SOLD! 25 HAWKES ST., SAUGUS NEW PRICE! $434,900 APRIL 10, 2021 10:00-2:00 TWO FAMILY 85 ELSIE ST., EVERETT $795,000 NEW LISTING BY MARIA COMMERCIAL/RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT GREAT MAIN ST. LOCATION $1,800/MO. CALL SANDY FOR DETAILS 617-448-0854 Open Daily From 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 433 Broadway, Suite B, Everett, MA 02149 Open Daily From 10:0 Joe DiNuzzo - Broker Associate :0 00 AM 5:00 PM www.jrs-properties.com Follow Us On: 617.544.6274 Norma Capuano Parziale - Agent Denise Matarazz - Agent Maria Scrima - Agent Rosemarie Ciampi - Agent Michael Matarazzo -Agent Mark Sachetta - Agent ׉ 7cassandra://hybLYIwLjPo26nY_QV2p_akLGGNS9YEFd5UnVufjGX0-+`̰`o7<g`o7<g PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://4e16bwl5LCC8b3NDkSesZXuf3qyPo9dHnrEK06oDT3k`)׉ 7cassandra://2W0Gzl7BUTTx6Mo054nga13bz077sjQJw9-73zTv23M͓`J׉ 7cassandra://tqt-PRFtun7bmus5b_nrQyluRC9oTbmL-0J9KNy8-Aw.1`̰׉ 7cassandra://_0nr33Xoa4B-ovToiv2DY1dPUyLEBBb6S3nHznLnBro$͠`o7<gנ`o7<g!̽ 9ׁHhttp://WWW.LITTLEFIELDRE.COMׁ ׁ Ј׉EmPage 24 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 WONDERING WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH? CALL FOR YOUR FREE MARKET ANALYSIS! LITTLEFIELD REAL ESTATE SAUGUS ~ Rehabbed colonial. New windows, siding, new kitchen with quartz counters, stainless appliances, new cabinets. New hardwood flooring throughout house. New heat. Central AC. New maintenance free deck..........$570,000 WAKEFIELD CONDO ~ 3 rooms, 1 bed, 1 bath, newly renovated, SS appliances, granite, high ceilings, deeds parking, pets allowed ....... $269,900 SAUGUS ~ Rehabbed colonial, 4-5 bedroom, 2 full baths, gas heat, central AC, new siding, new roof, hardwood flooring, fresh paint, new kitchen with SS appliances quartz counters ...............$559,900 38 Main Street, Saugus MA WWW.LITTLEFIELDRE.COM 781-233-1401 WAKEFIELD ~ New construction duplex. 3 bed, 2.5 baths, 2400 sq feet, garage under, central AC, Gas heat, fireplace living room............. Call Keith Littlefield for pricing Call Rhonda Combe For all your REVERE BEACH ~ Condo, 2 beds, 2 baths, quartz counters, SS appliances, central AC, beautiful ocean views, indoor pool, gym, sauna...... $394,900 real estate needs!! 781-706-0842 SAUGUS ~ 3 bed, 1.5 bath colonial. Open concept 1st floor, 2 car garage, newer gas heat, roof and HW heater, prof landscaping....$439,900 REVERE ~ 2 family located in the Beachmont area, 3 beds, one bath in top unit, 2 beds, one bath lower unit.....................................$639,000 Call Eric Rosen for all your real estate needs. 781-223-0289 WILMINGTON ~ Colonial featuring 4 beds and 2 full baths, great dead end location, central AC, hardwood flooring, finished lower level..$534,900 MELROSE ~ Single family, 4 bed, 2 full bath, SS appliances, new gas heat, quartz counters, Central AC, Garage under...................$650,000 LAND FOR SALE SAUGUS Call Rhonda Combe at 781-706-0842 for details!! SOLD SOLD UNDER CONTRACT SOLD ׉ 7cassandra://tqt-PRFtun7bmus5b_nrQyluRC9oTbmL-0J9KNy8-Aw.1`̰`o7<g׈E`o7<g`o7<g P,Saugus Advocate 04/09/21Saugus Advocate 04/09/21`oRAl