The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

  It’s that time of year again, folks. Time for the Annual Town Meeting – the most important of the many local government meetings that will take place this year in Saugus.

The 2026 session gets underway this coming Monday – May 4 at 7:30 pm – in the second floor auditorium of Saugus Town Hall. The town’s 50-member legislative body will consider 46 warrant articles this year – the most important ones relating to the town budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. This year’s School Department budget is expected to get the most attention.

There’s also a controversial non-binding resolution – Article 34 – to seek approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection for expansion or continued use of the ash landfill near WIN Waste Innovation’s trash-to-energy plant on Route 107. This article essentially resurrects discussion of an unofficial 3-2 vote by the Board of Selectmen three years ago that involves a host community agreement in which Saugus would receive $20 million over the next 20 years while WIN Waste could continue use of the ash landfill. Town Meeting has routinely passed resolutions over the years opposing any expansion of the ash landfill. Stay tuned.

 

Help an Eagle Scout project

  Like in most communities, Saugus people love animals and support projects to help needy cats and dogs. Saugus also loves its Eagle Scouts, and town residents usually embrace the young men who earn Boy Scouting’s highest honor.

Here’s a chance for town residents to help some needy animals and also help an aspiring Eagle Scout complete his journey. Sean Lynch, 17, a longtime member of Saugus Boy Scout Troop 62, is organizing a donation drive to help the cats and dogs at the MSPCA Angell Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem. He already has 25 merit badges, and only needs to complete his public service project.

The 17-year-old senior at Saugus Middle High School is appealing to the public for these supplies: wet and dry cat and dog food, dog/cat treats, cat litter and scoops, dog/cat toys, leashes, paper towels, spray cheese, bully sticks or pigs’ ears, canned chicken, wash cloths and small rags, towels and sheets, dog waste bags, cat scratching posts, disinfectant wipes, Dixie cups, peanut butter, unsalted chicken or beef broth and extendable back scratchers. Drop boxes will be available in the lobby of the Public Safety Building on Hamilton Street, at the Saugus Middle High School and in the Saugus Public Library. Sean will also be doing a neighborhood drive on portions of the weekends of May 9 and May 16 in the area bordered by Winter Street and Lincoln Avenue. For more details, Sean can be reached at se***********@***il.com or 781-558-8524. He’s dedicating the next two weeks to helping as many needy animals as possible while finishing the requirements for his Eagle Scout badge.

 

Saugus Bike Trail Cleanup tomorrow

  The Saugus VFW Post 2346 is organizing a cleanup of the Saugus bike trail tomorrow (Saturday, May 2) as part of the Fifth Annual Veterans of Foreign Wars National Day of Service. VFW Post 2346 and Auxiliary Saugus will clean the section of the rail trail running through Saugus, Massachusetts, which has a section honoring Purple Heart recipients, as the Post’s participation in the annual VFW National Day of Service, according to Jay Pinette of the local VFW. Volunteers should report at 9 a.m. to 120 Essex St.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars fifth annual VFW Day of Service is a dedicated day of service led by veterans throughout the country and the world. Events kick off the first Saturday in May (May 2) and take place throughout the month. For more information, contact Jay Pinette at 339-600-7325.

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, May 1) 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. The Friday breakfasts will last until May 29.

 

Cleaning up the town – Precinct 5 tomorrow

  There’s a lot of raking and sweeping going on in Saugus lately, as a number of residents, led by Town Meeting members, are initiating various cleanups in their respective neighborhoods. There’s another neighborhood cleanup tomorrow (Saturday, May 2). Residents of Precinct 5 are organizing a cleanup at the Lynnhurst School, beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting through noon. Trash bags and water will be provided.

 

This week’s “Shout Outs”

  From Al and Joyce Rodenhiser: “We would like to offer a ‘Shout Out’ for Laura Eisner for all the wonderful articles for the Advocate she wrote about her walks to see the gardens of Saugus. They were always timely, educational and pretty! Laura also works tirelessly for the Historical Society, the Garden Club, SAVE, and beautifying the outdoors.”

From John Macauda, commander of Saugus American Legion Post 2010, offered high praise “in honor of our Ladies Auxiliary at the Post.” “They will be receiving the Al White award for the volunteer work they performed at the Chelsea Soldiers Home. I certainly would appreciate an honorable mention in The Advocate for these great ladies that do so much for our Veterans.”

The Ladies Auxiliary will be honored next Tuesday night during a special dinner at Legion 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.

 

Student Government Day today

  Many town government leaders will assemble today (Friday, May 1) at 8:30 a.m. in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. Here’s your chance to see future Saugus leaders of tomorrow – the kids who are currently students in the Saugus Middle and High School grades – perform in mock sessions of the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Annual Town Meeting. All members of Saugus local government are invited to come and observe, and even share some pointers with the students. The Saugus Business Education Collaborative will be coordinating the lunch.

 

Elks host Cyberfraud program May 11

  The Saugus-Everett Drug Awareness committee and Eagle Bank will be holding an hour-long free presentation on Scams, Cyberfraud and Exploitation at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus) on Monday, May 11, at 10 a.m. Attorney Stephen Miliotis and Gisella DiPaola will be conducting this event. Become educated in the latest scams that intrude into all of our lives. All ages are welcome. Call 781-233-4178 to reserve your seat. Walkins are also welcome.

 

Congrats, Alyssa Sena!

  Alyssa Sena was the runner-up woman runner in the recent “Not a Walk in the Park” 5K race sponsored by the Saugus Family YMCA on April 25. Alyssa finished with a time of 24:44 as she joined other runners through the beautiful scenery of Breakheart Reservation.

 

Arbor Day Cleanup at the tree farm

  Laura Eisener submitted this report on last weekend’s Arbor Day Cleanup at the town’s tree farm:

An enthusiastic group of volunteers spent part of Saturday morning working at the tree farm cleaning up winter debris, broken pots from the winter and spreading some soil and mulch for the benefit of sapling trees being raised to beautify public lands in Saugus. Volunteers included members of Saugus Garden Club, Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment, Saugus Tree Committee, and others. The trees currently at the farm are quite small and will need a few years before they will be large enough to stand up to urban conditions with a lot of human activity around them, so they are being maintained in a protected area near the rail trail adjacent to Shute Brook.

Several new sapling trees had been set out last fall, enclosed in a group with rabbit fencing to prevent them from being devoured during the winter. The system worked, and it was heartwarming to see the new buds peeking out of many trees on this spring occasion. Rocky Hill Transport donated loam and mulch. Home Depot donated a new wheelbarrow and landscape cloth. Tree Committee chair Nancy Prag was very pleased with the turnout and thanks all the volunteers.

 

Remember The Fallen on Memorial Day

  Members of the Saugus Veterans Council who are hard at work planning and organizing the Memorial Day Parade, which is set for Saturday, May 23. Council members are committed to making this year’s parade and ceremony one of the best-attended in years. That’s a noble goal and an appropriate way to honor all of the Saugus residents who have sacrificed their lives while serving their country in the armed forces over the years. Honor the town’s fallen. Show your support. If you want to volunteer to help or participate in the parade, contact Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti at 781-389-3678.

 

Upcoming events at the Saugus Public Library

  Here are a few interesting programs worth checking out at the Saugus Public Library:

• Please join us on Monday, May 4, at 4 p.m. in the Brooks Room to make Pokémon designs with the Pop-Up Art School. Registration required; suitable for fifth grade and up. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
• Come and have your tarot cards read by a professional! Please join us at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18, in the Brooks Room. Suitable for fifth grade and up; no registration required.
• See Jonah Knight perform a magic show and facilitate a Dungeons and Dragons game! Please join us on Monday, June 22, at 4 p.m. in the Brooks Room. Suitable for fifth grade and up; registration required.

 

Curbside leaf collection May 4

  The Town of Saugus announces that spring curbside leaf collection will take place during the week of May 4, 2026. Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled trash and recycling collection day between Monday, May 4, 2026, and Friday, May 8, 2026.

Leaves should be left outside at the curb 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 using barrels, however, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Stickers, which are free, may be obtained at Inspectional Services in the lower level of Town Hall at 298 Central Street, Saugus. 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 pickups will not be conducted.

Please contact Scott Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

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

 

Saugus Youth Football & Cheer Golf Tournament July 13

Saugus Youth Football & Cheer (SYFC) will host its 3rd Annual Sachem Classic Golf Tournament on Monday, July 13, at Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead, continuing a growing tradition that brings together local businesses, families and community supporters for a day of golf and giving back. The Sachem Classic has quickly become one of SYFC’s premier fundraising events, helping to support equipment purchases, uniforms and program enhancements for young athletes across Saugus. Proceeds from the event also fund SYFC’s annual high school scholarships and provide financial assistance to ensure that all athletes — regardless of financial circumstances — have the opportunity to participate in the program.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for local businesses and community partners interested in supporting the program while gaining valuable exposure. Several sponsorship levels are offered, including Sachem, Platinum, Gold, Dinner and Tee Box sponsors. Benefits include recognition on marketing materials and social media, signage throughout the tournament and visibility during the event.

For those interested in participating on the course, golfer registration will open on May 1. Spots are expected to fill quickly based on strong interest in previous years.

“This tournament is a cornerstone event for our organization,” said David Silipigni, SYFC Board Member. “The support we receive from local businesses and families directly impacts our ability to provide a positive, structured environment for our athletes. It also allows us to give back through scholarships and ensure that every child who wants to play has that opportunity.”

All sponsorships are tax-deductible, with proceeds directly benefiting SYFC’s mission of promoting teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship among Saugus youth. Those interested in sponsoring or learning more about the event may contact Sa***********@*******fc.com.