Mary Had a Little Lamb” by Sarah Josepha Hale was first published in what N.E. city?

By Mark E. Vogler

School Committee Chair

Thomas Whittredge is so intrigued by the possibility of Apex Entertainment moving into the Sears Building that he’s already calling for some friendly game competition between two local government bodies.

“This place is incredible,” Whittredge said at Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting held through Zoom Video Conference.

“We’re going to have School Committee vs. Selectmen in the bumper cars,” he said.

That drew some friendly, fighting words from Selectman Debora Panetta.

“You won’t win. We’re ruthless,” she quipped.

Representatives of Apex Entertainment SO Saugus, LLC unveiled their plans in a public hearing before selectmen. The company has filed an application for a Special Permit (S-2) that would allow it to operate an indoor commercial recreational facility within the 100,000 square feet area on the first floor of the Square One Mall.

Apex Entertainment proposes to repurpose the retail space that is currently occupied by Sears, Roebuck and Co.” with a variety of entertainment activities “geared toward providing regional residents, families and corporations with high quality, safe year-round enjoyment,” according to the application filed with the town.

The company’s proposed activities include bumper cars, bowling, go-karts, laser tag, ropes course, arcade, sports simulators, mini golf and a full-service restaurant and bar with an all-alcohol liquor license. Apex currently owns and operates three Apex Entertainment -- in Marlborough, Mass., Albany, N.Y. and Syracuse, N.Y.

Whittredge said he is familiar with the facility in Marlborough, where he has a lot of friends in the area.

“To have something in town like this would benefit every single youth group,” Whittredge said.

“This would be a phenomenal addition to town. A phenomenal addition to the mall,” Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano said.

Panetta said she found the application attractive too, but added that further review was needed before selectmen voted on the application.

“It would be great to bring some new life into Square One, but we need to do our due diligence,” she said.

Selectmen expressed concerns about minors having potential access to places of the center where alcohol would be served, the entrance from the mall, the impact of traffic on local roads and assurances that the crowds would not adversely affect the neighborhood after it closed for the night.

They voted to continue the application until the board’s meeting, set for 7 p.m. on May 19.

Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini said he wanted the building commissioner, Police and Fire Department to review the application and offer their recommendations before selectmen took a vote.

“I have concerns about having an entrance from the mall,” Selectman Michael Serino said.

Serino said he was also concerned about whether the proposed center would be frequented by too many people: 1,400.

“I want Freddy (Building Commissioner Fred Varone) to look at the capacity number,” Serino said. He added that he wanted to see the security plans.

Cogliano said he wasn’t

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that concerned about the capacity.

“I ran the Palace (Night Club) when I was 21 years old and we had 2,500 people coming out at the same time,” he said.

Cogliano said he was impressed with what he observed of the facility in Marlborough, especially the restaurant. “This isn’t your runof-the mill bowling alley food,” he said.

Panetta said selectmen needed to review the recommendations from town department heads who would comment on the project.

“It’s going to be our little Disney Land in Saugus,” Panetta said.

“There’s going to be a lot of cars,” she said.

She said her main concern was about the liquor. “I’m very interested to see what the Police Department says,” she said.

Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley said she had concerns about security and impact on the area neighborhood after the mall closed at night.

But, she also said she “would love to see something like this come to our town.”

Cicolini said he preferred to see the last call for serving alcohol rolled back to 12:30 a.m..

“I love the concept. I think it would be a great change of pace venue for the mall that’s been sputtering,” Cicolini said.

But he added his “big concern” was about the mall’s “less than friendly” attitude toward the Saugus Police Department and the clientele that frequented the mall.

Apex Entertainment’s application included letters of support from the Marlborough mayor and police chief.

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THIS WEEK ON SAUGUS TV

Monday 4/27 at 8:30 p.m.

on Channel 22 – Superintendent’s Special Report from 4/27

Tuesday 4/28 at 7 p.m. on Channel 8 – Cliftondale Congregational Church Service from 4/26

Wednesday 4/29 at 8:30

p.m. on Channel 9 – Board of Selectmen Meeting from 4/21

Thursday 4/30 at 8:30

p.m. on Channel 9 – School Committee Meeting from 4/23

Friday 5/1 at 9 p.m. on Channel 8 – The Pitch Sports Talk Show from 4/16

Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9, & 22

For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv. org ***programming may change without notice***