The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

If you have a mom or surrogate mom that you love and care about, don’t forget to wish her a “Happy Mother’s Day” this Sunday. If you can’t be there in person, make the call. Say something nice to her and show your appreciation. If you have the time, go visit her. Bring her a bouquet of flowers or a handful of roses or a card or a box of truffles.

My mom passed away 21 years ago. But she left behind a lifetime of loving memories. And I will be thinking about her on Sunday.

Mothers are special people and make the world go round. They do so much to help make the world a better place. So, in your travels, don’t forget to wish your mom friends, as well as the mothers of your friends and other people you know, a “Happy Mother’s Day.”

 

Nice start for new Town Meeting members

This spring marks my 11th consecutive year covering Saugus’ Annual Town Meeting. I often tell failed candidates for the Board of Selectmen – the most glamorous and influential political office in town – to run for the Annual Town Meeting if you really want to make a difference in the betterment of your hometown. And I know a few members who have taken my advice and have found great fulfillment in serving a two-year term on the 50-member legislative body, which holds the chief responsibility of passing the town’s budget. Members also consider town bylaw and zoning changes.

It looks like two of the 15 newest Town Meeting members are already making a difference.

In her first meeting as a Town Meeting member, Elizabeth Marchese, of Precinct 6, was the author of Article 33, the proposed new regulations for E-bikes, which passed by unanimous voice vote Monday night. (See this week’s cover story.) Marchese also had a resolution seeking better compliance of the state Public Records Law, which also passed.

New Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Jenna Nuzzo also distinguished herself in her Town Meeting debut. Town Meeting members voted 48-0 to pass Article 31, her proposal to create a Vacant School Facilities Assessment Committee to evaluate vacant school buildings owned by the Town.

Several new Town Meeting members also went to the lectern to advocate on behalf of fellow members’ articles. The new members did make a difference in their first Town Meeting session. Town Meeting is in its early stages. Stay tuned!

 

Historical Society meets May 13

On Wednesday, May 13, the Saugus Historical Society will present a program on the 100th anniversary of Ahavas Sholom in Saugus center. Maureen Appel, Ruth Berg and Randy Abber will speak about various events through the decades, and a portion of the video of the 100th anniversary celebration will be shown. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at 30 Main St., the home of the Saugus Historical Society and Saugus Cable Television. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome; membership is not required.

 

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 United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, May 8) 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.

 

This week’s “Shout Outs”

  We received a couple this week.

From Corinne Riley, the former selectman who is now dedicating the time she would spend on town government stuff to making Saugus better through volunteer projects: “I would like to give a huge ‘thank you’ to Greg Stefano, Pat Roche, and the Stefano Landscaping crew! They always support the Veterans, especially supporting the brick program. They went above and beyond recently to fix the bricks that were rising up because of frost heaves and roots! It looks awesome! Thank you again to a wonderful Saugus business volunteering their time to keep Veterans Park looking great!”

From Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian: “I would like to give a ‘shout out’ to 2 SHS students who participated in Student Government Day (last Friday, May 1).

“First is Annie Jean-Baptiste, a SMHS Senior, who served as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Annie is a highly motivated young woman who wants to pursue a career in law. This is Annie’s second year participating in Saugus Student Government Day. Second is Nick Shaw, a SMHS Sophomore, who is fully engaged in all things government. He represented Saugus High School at State Student Government Day and this is his second year participating in Saugus Student Government Day.”

From Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Robert J. Camuso, Jr.: “Today (May 3) finished the town Precinct Cleanups led by our Elected officials. The Precincts involved were 1, 2, 5, 8 & 9. Hoping more Precincts get involved for one day a year, at least to care about our community. Someone actually found money cleaning up also! A special thank you to Junkster (aka Leo Getz) none of these cleanups could have taken place without his generosity! We found more work to be done in an unsuspected place(s) around town which needs addressing. Overall, these last few weeks of cleaning up our town was a good start, but there’s a lot more work that needs to be done!”

 

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.

 

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.

 

Remember The Fallen on Memorial Day

  Members of the Saugus Veterans Council 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:

• 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.

 

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.