The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

Good morning, Saugus

It’s about that time again for another cycle of Saugus government to kick into gear with the process for adopting a new municipal budget – this one for the 2027 Fiscal Year that begins on July 1. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree is expected to present his proposed FY 27 budget to the Board of Selectmen next Tuesday morning. The Finance Committee will begin its review of all department budgets and other municipal accounts shortly after. The Annual Town Meeting will convene on Monday, May 4, to tackle a number of items, the major one being the passage of the FY 27 budget.

In next week’s edition and each week leading up to the Annual Town Meeting, The Saugus Advocate will sample the opinion of all 50 Town Meeting members on what they think should be the major town issues and issues in their respective 10 Precincts. Stay tuned

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Feb. 20) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office at 781-233-2663 or go to the website (cliftondalecc.org) for details.

Legion Breakfast on Fridays

There’s a good breakfast 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 2026 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 did not receive any recommendations from our readers this week. The editor nominates two very civic-minded Saugus residents for special recognition – William Leuci and Stephanie Shalkoski – both who are being honored with Stewardship Awards on Monday (Feb. 23) at the Annual Meeting of the Saugus River Watershed Council.

Here’s a collective “Shout Out” for all speakers and local town officials responsible for the Feb. 5 E-Bike Forum held in the second-floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall.

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 (mv***@*****st.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.

‘The Fashions of Downton Abbey’ tomorrow

The Saugus Public Library will host “The Fashions of Downton Abbey” tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 21) at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Guests who registered are invited to watch an informative presentation about the lives and fashions of the residents of Downton Abbey. The library is promoting the event as an opportunity to travel through time while exploring the styles of 1912 through the 1920s. Presenting the Program is Karen Antonowicz of Spirits of Fashion. Register online at sauguspubliclibrary.org

SRWC Annual Meeting Feb. 23

The Saugus River Watershed Council will host its Annual Dinner Meeting on Monday (Feb. 23) at 6:30 p.m. at the Marina at The Wharf (543 North Shore Rd. in Revere). This is being billed as a fun night with stewardship awards, silent auctions and raffles. Steve Fantone will present the keynote presentation and wildlife slide show. Those who attend the annual meeting can also learn about the new Rumney Marsh Conservancy. Tickets cost $35. For details, go to www.saugusriver.org.

This month’s Fireside Chats at Breakheart

Speakers for the Fireside Chats held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation in the Visitors’ Center (177 Forest St., Saugus) are as follows:

Tomorrow, Feb. 21: Sean Riley, stewardship research biologist, and Lis Kernana, shorebird protection coordinator.

Feb. 28: JP Patton, staff archeologist, and Leah Hopkins, indigenous peoples partnership coordinator.

Fireside Chats require no walking, just sitting inside with a cozy fire!

Pen to Paper writing workshop

The library’s monthly “Pen to Paper” writing workshop – led by Laura Eisener – which usually takes place on the third Tuesday of each month, will be held on the fourth Tuesday, February 24, for this month only so as not to conflict with Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year events. The writing workshop is held in the Brooks Room from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and is free and open to any writers who would like to participate, no preregistration required. This and other events are listed on the library’s website Events calendar: https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events/

Saugus Democrats caucus March 4

Please join the Saugus Democrats’ caucus on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Italian American Club (1 Beachview Ave. in Saugus). We will be selecting delegates for the Democratic State Convention happening in Worcester, Mass., at the DCU Center on Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30.

St. John’s will host March 14 craft fair

St. John’s Episcopal Church will host an Artisan Marketplace on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 8 Prospect St. in Saugus. The Marketplace will feature talented local artisans offering a variety of exquisite, handcrafted items. Shoppers will find unique gifts for birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s Day and anniversaries, or special touches for the home. Visitors are invited to enjoy refreshments from the snack bar and a special 11 a.m. appearance by musician Chris D’Agostino, a Boston-based singer-songwriter, keyboardist and guitarist. He covers musical genres across various decades: rock, pop, soul and folk. Children ages 10 and under may register from 12:15 p.m.-12:45 p.m. to participate in a 1:00 p.m. Easter egg hunt.

Coach T’s spring track program

Plans are in the works for the Saugus Sachems Youth Spring Track Program for 2026. Here’s the basic information.

Who: Grades K-6^th.

Where: Belmonte Track.

When: 4:00-5:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays – May 19-June 11.

This program is geared toward new track and field athletes. It will prepare them for the larger-scale summer camp.

Cost: $150 first year, $75 if returning.

For any questions, further information or to register, please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino (Coach T) at 781-854-6778 or ch********************@***il.com