The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

It should be an interesting Board of Selectmen’s meeting Tuesday night when Uma Flowers LLC gets another crack at obtaining a special permit (S-2) to operate a retail marijuana dispensary on Route 1. Despite receiving a perfect score two years ago from the town’s Marijuana Establishment Review Committee (MERC), Uma fell one vote short of the four votes necessary for an S-2 permit. But late last year, a Land Court judge ruled selectmen must reconsider company’s application.

The company later alleged in a complaint filed against the town and the Board of Selectmen in state Land Court that then-Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano – the lone member to oppose Uma Flowers in a 3-1 vote – “appeared to act with bias against Uma and in favor of Bostica,” another company competing for an S-2 permit. During the hearing, Cogliano admitted that he enjoyed a personal friendship for 30 years with Raymond Falite, Bostica’s manager.

Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini had recused himself after disclosing a potential conflict of interest because of his company’s relationship with one of the applicants. That made it mandatory for Uma to obtain a unanimous vote. At first glance, it looks like Cogliano would have to switch his vote in order for Uma to win its permit. But his vote may not be necessary, as Cicolini might be allowed to vote on Tuesday night.

“Based on everything I’ve heard, I’m leaning in the direction that my client is no longer a conflict of interest,” Cicolini told The Saugus Advocate recently.

With its proposed location at 24 Broadway (Route 1 North) – the site of a former house that was torn down – Uma was the unanimous selection of the seven-member committee, achieving a perfect score of 140 total points. That kind of recommendation would be enough to win support from Cicolini if he attends the meeting and votes. Stay tuned.

 

A smile spells success

On Monday night, I went up to the second floor of the Saugus Public Library to check out a potential photo opportunity involving kids making clay dragons. Library worker Jackie Miller made the suggestion. I ran into Rick Hamelin, a potter, who said he had driven all the way from Warren in Central Massachusetts to lead what sounded like a neat class. I was told that seven kids had signed up for the class.

But by the time the class got underway, there was only one kid who turned out. I felt badly that Hamelin had driven such a long way and nearly had nobody in the audience. It had to be disappointing.

“No, this was a great class,” Hamelin told me later.

“Making people smile. That’s what I’m happy about, and that’s what made it worthwhile today,” Hamelin said.

Kyle Richard, 10, an inquisitive fifth grader from Belmonte STEAM Academy, was the happy camper who got 100 percent of Hamelin’s undivided attention. “My mom was reading something and said, ‘Oh Kyle, do you want to build a dragon?’ I said, ‘That sounds like fun.’ And I’ve had a lot of fun today,” he said.

“This is pretty cool,” he said.

After watching Hamelin make his dragon out of small pieces shaped on his pottery wheel, Kyle got to build his own dragon from pieces of clay provided by his instructor. Kyle’s dragon resembled a stegosaurus. “It’s a dragon mixed with a dinosaur. It’s a hybrid,” he said, smiling while holding his clay dragon proudly.

For Hamelin, it was a worthwhile and productive day, as he mentored the student on how to work with clay. For the finishing touch, he gave Kyle a special tool to make flames shooting out of the dragon’s mouth.

Hamelin estimated that he’s made about 1,500 clay dragons since 1985, all of them from some 1,500 grants he’s received from the Mass Cultural Council.

“I was doing a program out of a school and I remember asking the class, ‘What do you want me to make?’ A kid in the back row screamed out, ‘Make a dragon.’”

 

Saugus Cultural Festival Feb. 23

We’re a little more than three weeks away from the first Saugus Cultural Festival, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 23 at Saugus Middle-High School. This inclusive and family-friendly event will celebrate Saugus’ cultural diversity through the showcase of food, performances and other activities, according to Tori Darnell, Co-chair of the Saugus Cultural Council – the event’s organizers. The Cultural Council has invited musicians, dancers, poets, actors and artists of all kinds to showcase their talents on the local stage. There will also be food vendors on hand to share their culinary creations with festival-goers. This is a great opportunity to share new experiences with the community.

To learn more information, please contact the Cultural Council at saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com or 339-440-1017.

 

Saugus 4-1-1 set for March 15

The Saugus 4-1-1 forum that was originally scheduled for March 1 has been rescheduled for later in the month. “The Saugus 4-1-1 Committee would like everyone to know that the Saugus 4-1-1 event will be taking place on March 15, 2025,” Selectman Corinne Riley said in an email to The Saugus Advocate.

“(Please note the date change). Invitations to all new residents as well as non-profits will be mailed out in January. We are looking forward to having this wonderful event for new residents as well as those who have been here for years to learn what Saugus has to offer! Also, if you have a local business or service to promote, send your request or further inquiries to Saugus411@gmail.com, there are ‘Welcome Bags’ that are given out to the new residents with all kinds of information which could include your business or services offered to our Saugus residents. Stay tuned for further updates!”

Selectman Riley was the driving force behind the nifty program, which had two previous well-attended Saturdays at the Saugus Middle-High School in recent years (2022 and 2023). Stay tuned for more details.

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. Please note that the pantry is pausing food drive donations through the end of February because of the generosity of the community during the holiday season. Food drives will resume in March.

 

Legion Breakfasts today

There’s a good deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2024-25 season. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free.

 

This week’s “SHOUT OUTS”

We received two “shout outs” this week from Janice Jarosz, a frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate:

“A special thanks to AFC Urgent Care, 371 Broadway, Armstrong Ambulance, the ER, Ashley, Melrose Wakefield Hospital and family members for their care and support during a recent family health issue. So often we read of poor health care services, but little is written of the majority of those in the health profession who provide care and comfort to those in need and, oftentimes, under the most difficult of circumstances. We are all so fortunate.

“Also, a Shout Out to all the Saugus town officials who labored these past few months on presenting a plan to the Conservation Commission in February seeking approval to develop a dog park at Stocker Field.

“Should this plan pass, residents will be given the opportunity, not only to care for their pets but also to enjoy the benefits of socializing with friends and families, in a healthy and safe environment mixed with fresh air, sun and the beautiful Saugus River.”

 

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 a photo.

 

Fireside Chats at Breakheart have begun

For a period of six consecutive Wednesday mornings – ending Feb. 26 – Breakheart Reservation is hosting a Fireside Chat at its Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus) from 10 to 11 a.m. Come warm up by a fire and join a staff member each week from the state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) who will be sharing their expertise and experiences at our parks. DCR staff goes well beyond the people you normally meet in the parks. There are many “behind the scenes” experts who are excited to share their role in keeping the park properties safe and healthy for the public. The upcoming Fireside Chats are scheduled for Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26.

 

Preschool Registration 2025-26 – Pre-K Parent Info Night

It is that time again to start the registration process for 2025-2026 preschool programming. We are holding a Parent Information Night at the Veterans Early Learning Center for new parents who are interested in sending their child to Saugus Public Schools for preschool. The preschool program is based on a lottery system, and more information will be uploaded after the parent information night.

Please note that students eligible for enrollment must have a birthdate between dates as follows: three-year-old program (Sept. 1, 2021–Aug. 31, 2022); four-year-old program (Sept. 1, 2020–Aug. 31, 2021).

Preschool Parent Information Night is Feb. 6 at 6:00 p.m. Details are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole. We look forward to seeing you then.

If you would like to be added to the “Getting Ready for PreK” parent email list to be informed of other events and programs that are held throughout the community, please email Jessalyn Memont at jmemont@saugus.k12.ma.us

Kindergarten registration: More information will be available soon. Please note: Students eligible for Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 academic year must have a birthdate between Sept. 1, 2019, and Aug. 31, 2020.

 

What’s going on at the library

• A workshop for aspiring writers: Pen to Paper: A Writing Workshop, began this week, led by Laura Eisener, local journalist, historian and horticulturist. For those folks who missed the Tuesday class, there are still six more workshops scheduled – Feb.11, 18 and 25 and March 11, 18 and 25, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. – in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the Saugus Public Library (295 Central St. in Saugus). Do you want to write? Perhaps you have thought about starting a blog, creating a memoir, writing your sixth murder mystery in a series, developing a series of articles, explaining how to knit or recreate a special family recipe, or writing a textbook or the great American novel? Whatever your level of experience, goals or preferred literary genre, this free workshop can help you enjoy writing more and encourage you to keep at it. We will use a combination of discussions, prompts and writing exercises to give you new incentives and confidence. There is some optional “homework,” but no preregistration is required, and you can attend as often as your schedule allows.
• Teen Board Game Nite Feb. 3

The Saugus Public Library will be hosting another Teen Board Game Group on Feb. 3 in the Teen Room from 5:30-7 p.m. Teens who want to play board and card games should put this one on their calendar. For more information, please call Rachel at 781-231-4168 or email rhuntington@noblenet.org.

• Hello to fans of Needle Crafting: Are you into knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch embroidery, etc.? The SPL Needle Crafting Group will start on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 10-11 a.m. in the Brooks Room. No registration needed – drop-ins welcome. Bring your Work in Progress and enjoy the conversation. Cocoa and tea will be provided. Any questions, call Reference at 781-231-4168.
• Cookie decorating: Come join us for our cookie decorating program! We will be having a professional come over on Monday, Feb. 10 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor.
• Styling with vintage & thrifted fashion: Saturday, February 22 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Community Room. Karen (Ren) Antonowicz from Spirits of Fashion will be presenting the program. Did you know that you can create a unique wardrobe that suits your “style personality” without breaking the bank? Join us for this fun styling workshop where we explore ways to treasure hunt for vintage and secondhand clothing and accessories that speak to you and will inspire a new way of dressing. Fill your own closet with a personalized wardrobe that will bring you joy for years to come. Registration begins Saturday, Feb. 8 at 9 a.m. on our online Events Calendar – sauguspubliclibrary.org

 

About The Saugus Advocate

We welcome press releases, news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is 6 p.m. on Tuesday. If you have a story idea, an article or a photo to submit, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a message at 978-683-7773. Or send your press release to me in the mail at PO Box 485, North Andover, MA 01845. Let us become your hometown newspaper. The Saugus Advocate is available in the Saugus Public Library, the Saugus Senior Center, Saugus Town Hall, local convenience stores and restaurants throughout town.