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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, January 5, 2018
THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS
By Mark Vogler
H
ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus.
Get them while they last! I got an email I wanted to share from Laura Eisener of the Saugus Historical Society regarding the society’s 2018 Calendar, which was the focus of a cover story in last week’s paper. Laura wanted to remind Saugus residents that the calendars are available while they last at Saugus Town Hall, Saugus Public Library, and the Senior Center.And, there’s a suggested donation of $2.00 per calendar. “As always, the Calendar features important holidays, dates of full and new moons, as well as dates of the Saugus Historical Society General Meetings (free and open to the public) and our annual Strawberry Festival.The 2018 Strawberry Festival is Saturday, June 16 – already marked on your calendar!Also there is plenty of room for you to mark your own important dates. “This year the cover picture is of the old Cliftondale School, now known as the M.E.G. Building, from a postcard in the collection of George W. Brown.Although no longer framed by the Elms seen in the picture, the building is happily very familiar to most Saugus residents due it its beautiful restoration and its use in popular events and activities throughout the year. “Each month features scenes from Saugus past - such as the Lincoln Ave. trolley, the Park Press Building when it was still a Post Office, and a crumbling mill building on Water Street. “In July and August, the spires of Town Hall are easily recognized in the distance although the surroundings are very different. In July’s picture of Round Hill the top of Town Hall is just to the left of the crest of the Hill. “August’s photo, taken from near the intersection of Central Street and Winter Street where the Veterans’ Memorial is now, shows the old train station and the former G.A.R. building with its impressive flagpole, while in the distance the spires of Town Hall rise above the trees. “Most of the pictures come from the Saugus Historical Society Archives, but several were contributed by George W. Brown.November’s dramatic scenes in honor of Veterans’Day feature Saugus aviator Walter J. Daniels and were contributed by Edward Moore. “The Saugus Historical Society extends its grateful appreciation to the following individuals and organizations who assisted in the preparation of the 2018 calendar: George W. Brown, Jayne Parrott, Eric W. Brown, Saugus.net, Carolyn Brown, Gabriel Farhat, Park Press Printers, and the many local businesses whose sponsorships help make it possible for the Society to produce this popular calendar. This year’s sponsors include Agganis Construction; Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home; Carbone and Sons, Inc. Autobody; Carpenito Real Estate; Nelson Chang, Esq.; Elder Law Center; GCA Jewelers; George Gregson Law Offices; Kowalsky Insurance Agency, Inc.; Kowloon Restaurant; Law Offices of Thomas F. Colonna and William P. Doyle III; Richard Magnan, Attorney at Law; Mike’s Barber Shop; Nickole Auto Body; North Shore Bank; Park Press Printers; Peter A. Rossetti Insurance Agency, Inc.; Prince Restaurant; RESCO/Wheelabrator Environmental Systems; Russo’s Fine Chocolates; Saugus.net; Saugus Business Partnership; Saugus Federal Credit Union; ShellTown; Stefano’s Landscaping; and the Wong Family.” It is indeed a great calendar and well worth the donation, especially if you are a proud Saugonian who is interested in your town’s history. Frankly, it’s worth much more than the $2 donation the society is suggesting. The “no contest” elections Seems like a darn shame that two elections have already been scheduled for early this year -- a Special State Primary Election for Feb. 6 and a Special State Election for March 6 -- all to fill the vacancy created when former state Sen. Thomas McGee was elect-
ed as the new mayor of the City of Lynn. State Rep. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, who worked for a decade at the State House as an aide for McGee before running for his state representative seat in 2014, will be the only one running -- unless somebody mounts a write-in campaign. So, if less than a quarter of the town’s registered voters will bother to vote in a local town election, a political race with only one name on the ballot might draw a 5 to 10 percent turnout at the polls. This is one of those times when the Democratic process is definitely a waste of time and a waste of money -- unless one or two write-in candidates emerge on short notice to give voters a bonafide choice. It’s always preferable to have a choice. It never serves the public well when a politician gets a free ride on Election Day. Public office should be earned Stayed tuned I’m not missing storm duty days Right now, as I monitor the weather situation in what’s being forecast as a foot or more of snowfall for Saugus, I’m working in the comfort of my home office with no need to go out and cover the storm in my car and bring back some storm photos and comments from people out in the snow. In the course of my career, I’ve had my fill of chasing down storm stories while covering the weather. Many years ago while a young reporter working in Western Massachusetts, I had to hail down a taxi to go cover an early morning murder in Williamstown because my car was stuck in the driveway from the overnight snowfall. Several years ago, while assigned to cover a blizzard for The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, I had no fear driving around in my Chevy Lumina, which had great traction with its Michelin tires and front wheel drive. The car handled the road very well, until I drove home and got stuck in the driveway at my North Andover home. During my days as a late night cops reporter at The Eagle-Tribune, driving around in a blizzard went with the assignment. And the worst events to cover were the three-alarm fires where it was so cold that the ink in your pen might freeze up. Or, the wind was so strong that it might blow icy spray from a firefighter’s hose on your jacket. Don’t miss those days at all. How to weigh in on Wheelabrator Do you have concerns -- pro or con -- that you would like to express about Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc.’s plans to expand its ash landfill near the trash-to-energy plant on Route 107? If you haven’t had the chance to comment yet, there is still time. You have until Jan. 12, 2018 to submit comments to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The state is currently accepting feedback on a provisional decision to approve Wheelabrator’s expansion. Information about the permit and where to submit comments is available at:https://www.mass.gov/servicedetails/wheelabrator-saugus-inc-ash-landfill-saugus.
The collection was due to resume at 7 a.m. today and continue through tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 6). Routes from Wednesday and Thursday will be collected today and today’s route will be collected tomorrow. Residents are asked to leave trash and recycling in a shoveled out, accessible area near their driveway or walkway. Trash and recycling must be out by 7 a.m. today and Saturday. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Lorna Cerbone at 781231-4036 with any questions. The Compost/Recycling dropoff site is now closed for the season. This site will re-open to residents on the third Saturday of the month in January, February, and March, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Important voter news! This just in from Town Clerk Ellen Schena: The last day to register to vote and the Late Night Voter Registration for the Special State Primary Election scheduled for Feb. 6 will be on Wednesday, January 17, from 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. The last day to register to vote and the Late Night Voter Registration for the Special State Election scheduled for March 6, will be on Wednesday, February 14, from 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also, Ellen says the Clerk’s office needs election workers for both the February and March elections, especially for the Warden and Clerks roles.If interested, please go to the Clerk’s office at Town Hall to fill out paperwork.All positions are paid. These elections are necessary to fill the seat vacated by former state Sen. Thomas McGee, who was elected as the new mayor of the City of Lynn. The Lynn Democrat has already vacated his Third Essex District seat.
Town Hall seeks volunteers The Saugus Board of Selectmen is searching for a few good civic-minded men and women to serve their local government. There are vacancies on the following boards: Affordable Housing Trust Board of Trustees Cemetery Commission Cultural Council These are volunteer / nonpaid positions for Saugus residents. Those interested may submit a letter of interest or reCountdown to Kindergarten sume through Jan. 9 to: Preschool Playgroup Saugus Board of Selectmen Every Saturday, beginning tomorrow (Jan. 6) at 11 a.m., the SauSaugus Town Hall, Suite #4 gus Public Library will host “Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten!” 298 Central Street. This playgroup is geared to help families navigate and understand Preschool Development. Children will explore different Literacy, Art, Science, Building, Annual Food for Fines The Saugus Public Library Writing, Math. Fine Motor, Gross motor and Pretend Play materiwants to strike a deal with those als and activities. This drop in playgroup, however, is limited to 15 students. Par- readers who are procrastinating ents are required to stay. Please email Trish at Tricia928@yahoo.com paying their overdue fines. You can reduce the fines in rewith any questions. The Playgroup is sponsored by Saugus CFCE turn for donations of food which will be given to local food pantries. Trash, recycling delays Yesterday’s anticipated snowstorm prompted the town to cancel trash and recycling collection. Getting creative at the library Hey kids? Want to get creative this year? The Saugus Public Library is hosting a “Just Build” program on two Saturdays this month -- Jan. 13 and 27 at 1:30 p.m. Come and recycle your leftover holiday tissue paper and boxes and see what you can build! The library will provide a few boxes and other building materials. Creative people of all ages are invited, especially kids. That box might become a cave, a castle, a dungeon, a spaceship, a battleship, a race car, an airplane, a fortress, a mansion, or whatever you want to make of it. So, come to the library and discover the limits of your creativity.
SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 13