~ Year in Review: 2023 ~ The Best Of The Inside Stories

Not every good news story can make page one. Here’s a look back at the best of the rest of The Saugus Advocate – headlines for news stories that were the subject of public interest during the year.

January

State ban on mattresses and box springs causing litter problems in Saugus. Saugus homeowner says his tax bill reflects a questionable water meter reading. Eighty-one-year-old Saugus grandmother Virgina Grace Rooney gains national interest for her Taekwondo achievements. Federal Cliftondale Revitalization grant spurs happy notes and hope at Lincoln Avenue music shop. Town Meeting members begin preliminary discussion on a proposed zoning article for Cliftondale. Saugus Over Coffee: A series of citizen forums will focus on what residents in each precinct see as the top issues in their neighborhoods.

February

A tribute to World Series Park Icon: Mass. Baseball Coaches honor Bob Davis for his longtime efforts to promote baseball in his hometown. Sen. Crighton leads celebration for winner of third grade holiday art contest at Belmonte STEAM Academy. Court motion alleges Cogliano “forged” signatures on documents in federal court case. Swatting incident disrupts classes at Saugus High. Two selectmen question Cogliano’s efforts to help defend WIN against federal lawsuit.

March

Saugus attorneys continue with Eminent Domain Litigation as Revere City Council rejects Wonderland Site for New High School. Police retrieve three stolen Bobcats from Cedar Glen Golf Course. Police Chief credits Narcan for dramatic drop in drug deaths last year. Drug overdose deaths for 2022 (six) were half of previous year’s total. Memories of the Saugus High School Band from years past return to life in exhibit at the Saugus Historical Society. The construction site of the new vocational school endangers a local forest on the International Day of Forests. Five Saugus police officers are ready to run for charity in the 2023 Boston Marathon. Acting MassDEP Commissioner says agency ruling continues on no future expansion of ash landfill at WIN Waste Innovations Incinerator site. Board of Health consultant issues positive findings on air quality related to WIN Waste Innovations Saugus plant. World Series Park gets ready to open its 19th season. Members of 2003 Little League World Series team will ride a boat in this year’s parade to kick off season.

April

League officials going the distance to honor 2003 Little League World Series team with parade and ceremony. Saugus Advocate Editor Mark E. Vogler has reported and written stories about Saugus for 12 ½ years – roughly a quarter of his journalism career. Work accelerates at Grabowski Field as Saugus Little League prepares for start of season. With a new chair, the Commission on Disability is launching public outreach for Saugus citizens who need help. Books in Bloom 2023: Ruth Berg “hit a homerun” at the Saugus Public Library with her Boston Red Sox book and flower exhibit. Hometown heroes of the 2003 World Series team lead parade and help launch Saugus Little League season.

May

Board of Selectmen honor Saugus Advocate editor with commendation for his induction into New England Newspaper Hall of Fame. A tribute to a Saugus mom. This weekend will be a special Mother’s Day for Maureen Whitcomb, who will celebrate two of her quadruplet children receiving college diplomas while the two others are on course to follow in the future. Fire causes extensive damage to Pleasant Avenue home. A freedom of speech discussion proves precious and priceless as members vote to enhance that right. WIN Waste Innovations provides transportation (an $8,500 donation) for an eighth-grade field trip to Boston. Fourth-graders and A Pen Pal Pizza Party: Saugus seniors get to meet over lunch after sharing letters since last fall.

June

Saugus High Class of 2023: Student leaders cite classmates’ resilience in coping with COVID-19, transitioning to a new building and four years of challenges. Eight Saugus students receive Unsung Hero Award. Saugus resident Kenneth Suarez earns top student honors at Northeast Metro Tech. Late student Alan Joseph Silipigni from the Saugus High School Class of 2023 receives honorary diploma posthumously. Selectmen take time before meeting to publicly recognize Town of Saugus employees and volunteers who helped the community through the dark days of COVID-19. East Saugus United Methodist Church organizes “Pride Rally” after “Pride flag” sign incident. Police warn town employees to beware of home improvement scams. Cogliano disagrees with town counsel opinion that he can’t run for two offices. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site and Saugus Public Library unite for another summer concert series on Wednesday nights. SAVE Scholarship winner aspires to become an environmental attorney. Former Saugus High teacher Michael Maruzzi gets to meet students and friends at a book launch. Water main break on Route 1 South generates daylong traffic headaches.

July

The North Shore Corvette Club of Massachusetts welcomes you to their 60th birthday party. The weekend rains didn’t keep the crowds away from this longtime Saugus festival that was imported from Portugal. Visitors get to tour the 331-year-old Boardman House. Ex-Boston guitarist rocks into Saugus for Veterans Benefit Concert. Murder on Essex Street. Police charged a 64-year-old man in connection with the killing of his housemate. Police end standoff peacefully with man who barricaded himself in bedroom. The town’s Marijuana Establishment Review Committee recommends two Route 1 locations for marijuana sales. Six couples celebrate their Golden Anniversary together at a Saugus pool party.

August

Parson Roby Chapter DAR restores Appleton’s Pulpit Historical Marker and cleans up area. Saugus High 1938 graduate Gloria Prezioso celebrates 103 birthday. A Saugus man who coached soccer at Lynn Classical High School is charged with sex crimes involving students. Town Counsel Vasapolli revised legal opinion, stating that Cogliano can serve as a selectman and still be a Charter Commissioner. Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli recognized by Massachusetts Legislature for his Anti-Defamation League of New England & Ed Community Service Award. Four Saugus firefighters are among 23 graduating from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Investigators believe hiker died in a fall at Breakheart Reservation.

September

Enrollment is up at Belmonte STEAM Academy. Saugus Center celebrates a family tradition that’s going strong after 42 years: Happy Founder’s Day! A half century later, St. John’s celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of Rev. Nelson, pastor who served the church for 30 years. Saugus honors Gail Cassarino and Jack Klecker with “Person of the Year Award.” Pioneer Charter Schools of Science I and II named among U.S. News & World Report’s best Massachusetts High Schools. MCAS scores show “moderate progress.” Saugus welcomes back Rev. Roger Nelson while celebrating the 50th anniversary of his arrival at St. John’s. Bell ringing celebrates signing of U.S. Constitution into law. Ex-postal worker admits to stealing more than $18,000. Six Saugus residents are among 14 Northeast Metro Tech alumni inducted into The Voke’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Health director expresses concerns about the potential impact of migrant families living in Saugus. After eight years and $28,000 in donations, Gordie Shepard’s Civil War Burial Plot restoration is finally complete.

October

Former Selectman Mark Mitchell goes to jail for stealing $1.3 million from nonprofit school. Mitchell admitted to 18 criminal charges that a Suffolk Grand Jury indicted him on for embezzling money from the Boston Center for Adult Education when he was the comptroller. WIN Waste Innovations apologizes for loud noise incident on a postcard mailed to town residents, updating them on action to avoid more noise. Saugus mom wins “Mrs. Essex County” title at Topsfield Fair.

November

Northeast Metro Tech Principal Carla Scuzzarella named Saugus-Everett Elks Club Educator of the Year. Board of Health Attorney takes issue with WIN’s meetings with Cogliano to resolve noise complaint issue. Ballot question committee spent more than $10,000 on campaign for Charter Commission. Board of Health Chair Heffernan steps down because of global job demands. Report on investigation into conduct of Saugus Schools Superintendent McMahon details reasons for her firing. Ten of 47 incumbent Town Meeting members who ran for reelection lost their seats; 13 new members elected. School officials expect a smooth transition as Superintendent Michael Hashem assumes a more permanent role overseeing Saugus Public Schools. Seniors from Thanksgiving Day rivals Sachems and Tanners meet again for a pre-game meal.

December

Saugus police charge four individuals in Kowloon Restaurant Thanksgiving Eve Bar Brawl. One driver caused two cars to roll over and smash into the vacant Boston Market Building on Route 1 in Saugus. New tax rates set: On average, homeowners will pay $218.15 more, businesses $3,380.48 more, under a plan approved by selectmen for FY2024. State Rep. Wong plans to seek another term at the statehouse next year – his eighth consecutive two-year term representing the voters of the Ninth Essex House District. Parson Roby Chapter of NSDAR receives gifted heirlooms of Bell and Gavel. Fred Forni: A Saugus police officer from a legacy lawman’s family gets lieutenant’s promotion. WIN Waste leads cleanup; volunteers help company remove more than 10,000 pounds of waste strewn across Crescent Marsh. Judge orders Saugus man to pay back more than $18,000 he stole while working as a postal clerk in Marblehead. DA says father who died of knife wounds might have accidentally stabbed himself outside Kowloon Restaurant. Tree Lighting drew a good crowd on a bad night. State Rep. Wong had perfect voting record in 2023. A veteran answered the call of duty as Saugus observed Wreaths Across America ceremony at Riverside Cemetery. Raising Cane’s wins approval on permit to open two-lane drive-through on Route 1 South.

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