Posted 5/12/08

   Selectmen to Vote on Citizen's Forum, Again!!!

   A meeting of the Saugus Board of Selectmen will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the Saugus Town Hall, second floor.  Father John Molloy will be present as an invited guest and Citizen's Forum, a "hot potato" of an issue is slated to be discussed.  According to Chairman Wong, he publicly stated that he will vote to reinstate the forum for citizens.  Tune in for the next chapter.

   Below is a copy of the agenda for Tuesday nights' meeting.
1. Call to order.
2. Invited guests: Father John Mulloy
3. Approval of minutes: April 22, April 30, & May 6, 2008
4. Continued hearings: 0
5. Public hearings:

7:45 To amend the Town’s Liquor Rules & Regulations 1.01 APPLICATION PROCESS by inserting 1.01c(10) “No License shall be granted to any retail establishment where greater than 80% of the product sales are nonalcoholic related” or any other action thereto.

7:55 Angela’s Coal Fired Pizza, LLC, 890 Broadway, Alfonso Guevara, manager, for PERMIT to serve cordials and liqueurs; Application is also being made for change in description of licensed premise by allowing outdoor seating.

Correspondence

1.) Mr. Gould re: update on request regarding the Curley Property.
2.) Mr. Kramich re: the restriction of the people’s right to speak at an open meeting.
3.) Veterans Council re: request for Parade Permit and invitation.
4.) Mr. Fogelman re: request for recall of Spin All Alcoholic Common Victualer’s License.
5.) Town Clerk re: request for appointment of Poll Workers.
6.) Holy Ghost Feast re: request for 3 day Special Beer & Wine License.

Manager’s report
Member’s motions

      
      Saugus Town Meeting Opened
            Monday, May 5, 2008

Father John Molloy of the Blessed Sacrament Church offered up prayers for unity within the town at the opening of the Annual Town Meeting, in Saugus, MA

    Only six town meeting members were absent at the annual town meeting held on Monday evening.  Missing were Ronald Atkinson, Sal Barressi, Ellen Faiella,  Patrick Flynn, Patricia Johnson and Richard Nuzzo.
  The first Article is to hear and act on reports of Committees. 
   Town Meeting Member Janet Lueci addressed the board with a report on the  Affordable Housing Committee. She told town meeting members that a grant has been received by the group to study in-law apartments and to come up with new by-laws. Report was accepted unanimously. 
    A report on Wind Power was given by Town Meeting Member Tim Hawkes.  In his presentation he asked for additional items to come under the committee namely solar, hydro etc.  The motion was granted unanimously.

Articles 8 - funding for recreational purposes for the community, 9, Wetlands fees for enforcement, Water cross connection program as maintained by the DEP 11 senior citizen funding  and 12 revolving fund for senior lunch program all passed unanimously.
(For copy of Annual Town Warrant go to Town of Saugus web site)

   Selectman Michael Kelleher's motion to table the Citizen Forum article was granted and will be heard, instead, at the next  selectmen's meeting.

   Town Manager Andrew Bisignani addressed members of the town meeting and explained an article he submitted regarding parking violations. Article 20 states:  To see if the Town will vote to accept MGL Chapter 147, s 10F, the acceptance of which will authorize the Town to appoint parking control officers with those powers and duties conferred or imposed on police officers MGL Chapter 90, s20A.
 Mr. Bisignani explained that last year he appointed the canine officer to take on duties with reference to parking violations, specifically illegal handicap parking violations with the approval of town counsel.  During that time he stated that over $52,000 was realized but, better still, public safety was addressed in a more deliberate manner.  Over 464 violations were recorded.  Unfortunately, the Saugus Police union filed an action against the practice and their argument prevailed.  Town Meeting Member Maureen Dever spoke in opposition to the article citing that the article was only a revenue generating source and not addressing the shortage of police officers in the community.
   The town manager took exception to the position of Ms. Dever stating that, "public safety is a major reason why town meeting members should support the article."  Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian offered an amendment to allow the practice for a period of two years and appointees must be town employees only.  Ms. Dever asked for and received a role call vote.  The motion passed 36-7.  Voting NO were Town Meeting Members Anthony Lopresti, Stephen Nelson, Matthew Vecchio, Stephen McCarthy, Matthew Vecchio, Paul VanSteensburg, and Margaret Whitten.
Article 27, To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $25,000 for the Saugus Charter Commission.  The article, submitted by Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian, who is also Chairman of the Saugus Charter Commission, passed 38-5.  Voting NO were Town Meeting Members Joseph Attubato, Anthony Lopresti, Stephen McCarthy, Stephen Sweezey, and Matthew Vecchio.
   Town Meeting Member Sean Maltais took to the podium in an attempt to take the citizen forum article off the table to allow town meeting members to speak on the issue.  "The Saugus Board of Selectmen have had their opportunity to speak, now it's time for town meeting members to state their feelings", he said.  On a roll call vote, the motion remained tabled.  The article will be taken up at the selectmen's meeting on May 19, 2008. 

  National Day of Prayer Held in Saugus

                                               Michael and Susan Noonan

Saugus, MA: The 10th annual National Day of Prayer was held at the Saugus Town Hall on Thursday, May 1, 2008 under the direction of Michael and Susan Noonan. Puppeteers Matthew Felix and Ashley Shirk, from the New Hope Assembly opened the evening with America Again. Boy Scout Troop #62 posted the colors and Members of the Saugus High School Quartets, assisted by Nancy Lemoine, played America the Beautiful.

Pictured right: Mark Emero of Grace Ministries

Readings and prayers for all local, state and federal officials, and all branches of the Armed Forces and their families were offered by Rochelle Harris, Jess Blackmon, Lois Thomas, Martha Lecaroz, Susan Streeter, Cliff Nason, Julie George, Anna Carozza, Lisa Pugh, Phyllis Anthony, Bruce Wiltshire, Mark Emero, Bonnie Boyington, and Michael and Susan Noonan.

The First Baptist Church Choir sang three beautiful songs that the entire auditorium joined in by singing along and clapping their hands

Pictured left: First Baptist Church Choir

Michael and Susan offered special thanks to God for His faithfulness in bringing together the various volunteers and churches in making this evening a reality; to you, our brothers and sisters in the Lord for your participation in helping create this evening of prayer; to Pastor Wayne Shirk, Senior Pastor of New Hope Assembly, for his continued assistance and support for this ministry; and to Pastor Bob Leroe, Senior Pastor of Cliftondale Congregational Church, for his assistance in publicizing this event.

It has been our honor to host the National Day of Prayer here in Saugus. God has truly blessed us with always bringing a wonderful group of volunteers together from different churches to make Saugus’ observance happen. We love how He works and how faithful He always is. We believe that He is not telling us it is time for someone new who has a passion for prayer, and our country, to take this prayer service over. We have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful prayer warriors, talented singers, musicians, mimes and puppeteers over these past ten years.

We pray that you have been blessed and that the words and music have touched your heart this evening. We are so grateful that you came and were part of our last service.
                                                                                           Michael and Susan Noonan
 

Posted 5/1/2008

   "No Recommendation" from Police Chief at Tabu

Left to right:  Selectman Michael Kelleher, Police Chief James MacKay, Lt. Mike Annese, Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian, Selectmen Peter Rossetti, Stephen Castinetti, Donald Wong, and Steve Horlick
                     Chief feels Tabu  has a handle on things

     The Board of Selectmen met with Police Chief James MacKay and Lt. Mike Annese on Wednesday evening at the Saugus Town Hall  to review the incident reports concerning Tabu, Oasis, Roller World and Square One Mall. The Selectmen had requested all incidents reports requiring assistance from the police department  on a motion made by Selectman Horlick several weeks ago. Chairman Donald Wong relinquished the gavel to Selectman Stephen Castinetti because of a conflict of interest when liquor license issues were brought to the table.
    Since a change in ownership of Tabu in February of this year, approximately seven calls were made to the police department for assistance, stated Horlick. "I see a pattern here. Perhaps we should call these new owners in to let them know that the Agreement we had with the previous owners, along with our own licensing Rules and Regulations need to be adhered to.”
   “I think the owners of Tabu have a handle on things and I make no recommendation for further action. When they hold the “under 21” nights, they hire more than one detail. “ stated MacKay.
“With all due respect to you Chief, I must concur with Selectman Horlick, I believe that a month ago it was different but now there seems to be police presence every weekend,” Selectman Kelleher stated.
   Two residents expressed opinions that the Saugus Police Department needs to be protected as well. Given the shortage of police, they felt that the Chief MacKay should be the first one to “demand” a show cause hearing for the protection not only of the residents and patrons of the nightclubs in town but of the police force as well.
   Selectman Castinetti stated that the Board called Chief MacKay in for his professional expertise and he agreed to accept the “no recommendation” position of the chief based on the chief's long experience on the force.  Selectman Horlick offered a motion to bring the owners of Tabu in for a hearing.  Selectman Kelleher and Horlick voted yes, and Selectmen Rossetti and Castinetti voted no.  Selectman Castinetti offered a motion to send a letter to the owners of Tabu.  Rossetti and Castinetti voted yes and Kelleher and Horlick voted no. Both Kelleher and Horlick stated that the security agreement presently in place stipulates that the police chief can sit down with representatives of Tabu to discuss security, detail, and any other issues at the chief's discretion.
   On other matters the Board voted to have the Chief monitor the incidents at Rollerworld and report back to them if necessary.  Due to the major incidents logged in regarding Oasis, Chief MacKay recommended that the owners should be called in for a "Show-Cause" hearing.  The Selectmen will take this matter up at their next meeting.
 

                      A Thank You from Former Library Trustee

To the Editor:

      I would like to publicly say thank you to Maureen Maney, the Saugus Public Library employee who was courageous enough to step forward and say that she had nothing to do with the "scathing letter" written about the former Library Board of Trustees. I am grateful.

Sincerely,

Jeanie Bartolo,
former Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Saugus Public Library
 

                      LETTER TO THE EDITOR

                                     Saugus Needs Assistance

   Our police and fire departments have been kept extremely busy these past few weeks between fires and fracases. The Central Street fire, the brush fire on Auburn Street, and the Cliftondale fire put a serious strain on the town’s resources. Fortunately, our firefighters were not seriously injured.
   On the police front, Tabu, the Shopping Mall and Oasis made the police blotter frequently during the same time line as the fires in town. On April 26, 2008 at approximately 1:30 AM Saugus Dispatcher received an Officer Needs Assistance call from Tabu. Detail Officers Vansteensburg and Moynihan requested assistance for a fight that was in progress. Sgt. Ronald Giorgetti, Patrolmen Stephen McCarthy, Matthew Vecchio, Richard Wells and Jason LaBella responded to the call.
  According to the police log, all units responded. Eight police officers were called to the nightclub to quell a fight that had broken out. Peace was restored when the “disturbance moved to the Fern’s Motel.” Thankfully, no officers were injured.
   The very next call into the Saugus Dispatch Office came from Oasis at 24 Frank Bennett Highway, the site of the original Weylu’s. Six officers responded at approximately 1:50 AM Saturday morning, April 26, 2008. The officers were Patrolman Jason LaBella, Sgt. Ronald Giorgetti, Patrolmen Stephen McCarthy, Matthew Vecchio, Richard Wells, and Sgt. Leonard Campanello were on the scene within minutes of the call to the station.
   Taken from the Police Log: “Fight in Progress” Oasis, 24 Frank Bennett Hwy. Caller states fight in progress “The whole parking lot is fighting” including security. Dispatched all units, state police was called to assist with mutual aid. Officer reports 20 to 30 parties in the parking lot. There was a large line of cars trying to leave the lot at that time. Officers reports that there is no fight when he arrived. The staff was all out in the parking lot trying to move the parties out of the lot. The staff was short of breath and looked stressed. All staff was asked about the fight. They all stated that there was no fight at the club. All Saugus units and 3-4 state units, and 1 Lynnfield unit responded.
   Revere and Lynn are dealing with the same types of problems at various nightclubs in their communities and they are in the process of rolling hours of operation back to 1AM.  Saugus may be the only town left with a 2AM closing despite support throughout the town to also set a 1AM closing.  The main argument for the roll back is public safety and  for the protection of police and fire personnel. 
    According to informed sources, the Saugus Board of Selectmen has enough evidence to bring several of the establishments before them. Many residents wonder why these incidents keep piling up without any action taken.
     Square One Mall is also experiencing shoplifting, car thefts and identity theft. Gang members from other towns frequent the Mall and drug deals have become commonplace, according to the police logs.   The nightclubs that hire details are not responsible for any injuries occurred while protecting their establishments because the Town is responsible for health benefits and damages.
  The Board of Selectmen will hold a meeting on Wednesday, April 31, 2008 at the Saugus Town Hall at 6 PM to review the incident reports from the Saugus Police Department.

                  Firefighters Kept Busy All Week

On Thursday, April 24th, a call was taken for a building fire at 483 Central Street. Off-duty firefighter Captain Thomas Nolan rescued a disabled woman from the second floor, while risking his own life. His late father, Fire Chief Thomas Nolan, certainly would have been proud of his son.  Units from Melrose, Malden, Revere, Everett and Wakefield, and Red Cross responded to the scene.   (Photo by Kathleen Davis)

Another rescue was made by an unidentified firefighter, seen here with the grateful pooch.(Photo by Kim Tobey)

      On Friday, April 25th, firefighters responded to a brush fire at the end of Auburn Street. Lynn, Revere, and Wakefield responded.
     Town Meeting Member Ray Lawrence, who lives two doors down from the fire, voiced his concern that the wind would cause the flames to catch the dry brush along the railroad tracks too.
     According to neighbors, this fire was started by a youth with fireworks. Some stated that they heard what sounded like and M-80 just prior to the fire, but this has not been confirmed at this time.

Library Board of Trustees at Finance Committee Meeting

Left to right:  Town Manager Andrew Bisignani, William Brown, Library union representative, town meeting members Janet Leuci, Maureen Dever, and Rick Smith.

        Town Meeting Members Have Many Questions about Budget

There was a "full house" at the Finance Committee Meeting on Wednesday evening at Saugus Town Hall.  Fifteen town meeting members, along with Selectmen Steve Horlick and Peter Rossetti sat through a long question and answer period between various town meeting members and chairmen of the Library Board of Trustees, Pam Gill and vice chairman Theresa Lyons.  Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian inquired about the library personnel's union status and was told that there is no contract at this time but will be voting in June of this year.   He also spoke of the drop in hours over the summer from 50.5 hours to 38.5 leaving the residents of the town with minimal hours.  "I cannot support a library to benefit the employees and not the community," he stated. 
   By accepting the third budget, Sean Maltais inquired as to whether or not another fourth budget would be voted in given the fact that two new members were voted in on Tuesday night to complete the membership of the Library Board.
   The finance committee continued the discussion to a later date before taking a vote on the budget.

              Turmoil at the Library*

                                                                          By Janice K. Jarosz
      
     Battles are fought on many fields, and the Saugus Public Library budget seems to be no exception.  After attending several open meetings with the newly appointed Library Board of Trustees, the major bone of contention seems to be the acceptance of two different budgets.  The first one that was voted on and submitted to the Board of Selectmen was voted on March 27, 2008.  The second budget was voted on by the newly appointed Library Board of Trustees on April 17, 2008. 
     The following information is a rundown of the documents received concerning the last three months of activity within the library. 

*Minutes of March 28, 2008 from the Saugus Library Board of Trustees added to article on April 22, 2008.  Also another meeting has been posted by the Library Board of Trustees on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at the library, 6:45.  The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:00 PM in the town hall and there is speculation that the library budget will be reviewed.

Charter issues: Page 9 Article 2 Section 13 Powers and duty of the Manager

“Shall supervise and direct the administration of all departments except ……the board of library trustees"

Page 16 Article 2 Section 35 Annual Budgets

… Selectmen shall consider... submitted by the Manager and make recommendations...

On or before the first day of March of each year transmit a copy to each member of the Finance Committee

Library Board of Trustee Minutes: 1/28/08

“ Chair broached the subject of the initial 2008 budget submission with Ms. Jankowska and that it had been submitted to the Town Manager before trustee review and input. Going forward the chair and or board desire input with review.”

“Chair discussed $20K that was put into the special town meeting warrant, earmarked for the library. The chair was hopeful that these funds could be used towards state recertification efforts but the acting director informed of need for funds if approved by town meeting to meet salary to get to end of this fiscal year.”

    Entire  Library Staff Wants Trustees Removed

In a letter to the Saugus Board of Selectmen, stamped in on 2/22/08, the staff at our Saugus Public Library,  requests that the Board of Selectmen recall five members of the Saugus Library Board of Trustees.  The letter follows:

            To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:

            The Staff of the Saugus Public Library request you as the appointing authority to recall the five (5) sitting Library Trustees or at the very least not to reappoint those that are in place who have not served in the best interests of the library.

The role of a Trustee is clearly spelled out not only in the Statue but in the classic Trustee Manual produced by the Mass Board of Library Commissioners provided to each Trustee.  These Trustees clearly do not understand the levels of service and fundamentals of Library service.  Their arrogance has often put the safety of the staff and the patrons at risk creating a level of liability exposure to the Town of Saugus.

Trustees are a policy making board and are not to be involved in the day to day operation and management of the Library, individually or collectively.  They undermine the day to day operation of the Library.  The Board is antagonistic to the Staff, who, despite having our hours cut, being laid off, recalled, terminated, rehired and our pensions reduced, still show up for work every day and perform our duties with dignity and always in the best interests of the Library and the patrons we serve.

Their acrimony has created a hostile work environment and the entire board is not fulfilling their responsibilities pursuant to their oath.

One or more of them have openly stated a fear of retribution if she speaks up with a differing opinion.

In our opinion, they have an ongoing pattern of behavior in their violations of the Open Meeting Law.  Despite being notified of this by the Town Clerk and given a copy of this law, they continue to have private meetings of a quorum either in person or by email.  They show a total lack of regard for the organizational process.

Trustees are expected to advocate for the Library, and they have abrogated their responsibilities.

Their actions are a disservice to the Library and the citizens of Saugus.  Their lack of responsibility and advocacy for issues that are important to this community make them ill suited to continue in their respective positions at the library.

We humbly beseech you to help us restore the Library for the citizens of this community.  As the appointing authority you also have a responsibility to set this essential service back on course.

We stand ready to appear before you if requested to answer any questions you may have.

Respectfully submitted, The Staff of the Saugus Public Library, 128 Years of Collective Service to the Town of Saugus. 

Linda Duffy and the staff of 12

Editor's note: At a publicly posted meeting of the Library Board of Trustees on April 17, 2008 at 3 PM, the question was asked to the interim director if she was considered a part of the staff and a contributor of the above letter. Ms. Jankowska stated that she was the interim director and not a member of the staff.  Ms. Linda Duffy was asked if she was considered a member of the staff and a contributor of the letter to the Board of Selectmen and she answered in the affirmative.  According to Ms. Jankowska there are 13 staff members at the Saugus Public Library.

       Memo to Board of Library Trustee from
        Interim Director Ewa Jankowska

The following is a memo sent to the Board of Library Trustees from Interim Director Ewa Jankowska regarding the Library Budget FY09. There is no date but the contents will set a timeline.

Please be advised that I received a memo from the town accountant with the town manager’s recommendations of the library’s proposed budget. In this memo she asked that if there are any concerns over these recommendation to put them in writing.
I noticed right away, that the town manager’s recommendations reduced the salary lines by overall by $42,154.00. Since our budge reflected the salaries for exactly the number of reduced staff we currently have, with the exact salaries they are making now, this had to be brought to his attention. Otherwise, we would be sending lay off notices in March of 09 to everyone.
The budget was redrafted at the town manager’s request after he called me to his office with Joan Regan, Town Accountant, to go over his figures. They both agreed that the appropriations that the library had requested were in order and to redraft accordingly to avoid any layoffs in 2009.
If you will look at your copies of the initial budget submitted, next to the town manager’s recommendations, you will see where there are discrepancies that caught my eye. For example, in the Reference Librarian line held by Mary O’Connell, we submitted here annual salary of $35,296 and in his line he zeroed it out. Another example is in the Children’s Librarian line, held by Natalie Layne, her exact salary of $34,164 was submitted, and the manager’s recommendations were $31,486. A cut of $2,678.
There is absolutely no padding in these figures. They are exact and to the penny what we are spending now with a severely cut staff. The budge is what it is.
I know that you are very anxious to have some money in the book budget, so I made a suggestion so there is money is this line $36,379, (even though we can not be recertified without a MAR appropriation). However there are small amounts in some of the other lines that have not been funded for over a year. For example, we need some General Supply money to for cleaning supplies, etc. to run 6 heavily trafficked bathrooms.
The NOBLE appropriation of $47,010 is the exact amount needed. In past years we have taken some of the overall bill and funded it through the computer Maintenance and State Aid lines. We can no longer do that. So NOBLE is what it is.
The remaining $57,884 (includes book line) can be moved around any way that is needed. I will work with the Board to place this funding in the appropriate places.
Attached please find a copy of the latest revision to the budget, done at the town manager’s request. It was my plan to send this to you all last week, but I have been off over the Easter Holiday.
Please remember that this is all tentative and funding is subject to approval of the Finance committee and Town Meeting. I know that you all will do everything in your power to advocate for this very modest budget for the library.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

                       Saugus Board of Library Trustees
                               Minutes: March 27, 2008 Meeting
Present: J. Bartolo, L. Call, P. Gill, M. Moschella
Absent: E. Palleschi  and Interim Director Ms. Jankowski

Budget Discussion: Interim Director revised F/Y09 Library Budget and forwarded to the town manager without knowledge or vote on the budget by the Library Board of Trustees. In the meeting of January 28, 2008 Interim Acting Director, Ewa Jankowska was told that all budgets must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees.
At the last trustees meeting on March 19, 2008, the interim acting director never informed the Board of Trustees that she again changed the budget leaving only $13,000 for the salary line for library director. Acting director submitted a second budget to the town manager without knowledge, discussion or a vote of the Board of Saugus Library Trustees. Budget presented to finance committee on March 19, 2008.
Chair produced a letter dated January 8, 2007 from previous library director, Ms Quinn forwarding the library budget to the town manager. It read, “Attached library budget f/y 2007 approved by the Saugus Library Board of Trustees.”
Chair stated that procedure has always been that the budget was reviewed and voted on by the Saugus Library Board of Trustees. This policy is in the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioner guidelines.
Chair has been asked by the Finance Committee to present the budget at the April 9, 2008 meeting. Chair requested that all members of the Board be present.
Chair had a revised budget and a copy of the budget that the interim acting director revised.
A change was made to the book budget in order to be more in line with the needed amount so as to be re-certified by the State Library Commission.
Motion by M. Moschella to keep the book budget line segregated. Seconded by the Chair. Motion passed 4-0.
Discussion on salary for library director of $63,500 was too high for the hours library is open and budget restraints.
A motion was made by M. Moschella to vote on the salary of the position of library director. Changes were made to the director’s salary from $13,000 to $52,800. The salary amount will be included in the posting of the position for library director in April, 2008. Chair seconded. Motion passed 4-0.
Other changes were made in the amount of general assistance from $92,756 to $75,184. General assistants were decreased from $43,730 to $34,200. The budget for books was increased to $44,300.00 from $36,379. Office supplies decreased from $1,500 to $1,000.
A motion was made by M. Moschella for a recall vote on the revised budget for F/Y09 in the amount of $400,000. Motion was seconded by the Chair: Roll Call: J. Bartolo YES; L. Call YES: P. Gill YES: M. Moschella YES. Motion passed 4-0.

Other Business: M. Moschella questioned who authorized the sign, “Parking for Library Employees Only,” Question forwarded to Interim Library Director Ms. Jankowski asking who gave the authorization.

 

      Former Library Board of Trustees Budget

Minutes of 3/27/08

Intrim Director revised budget F/Y 2009 forwarded to the Town Manager without knowledge or a vote on the budget by the Board of Library Trustees.

At the Board of Trustee meeting on 3/19/08 the interim acting director never informed the Board of Trustees that she again changed the budget leaving only $13,000.00 for the salary line for Library Director. Acting Director submitted a second budget to the Town Manager without knowledge, discussion or a vote of the Saugus Library trustees.

“Chair stated that the procedure has always been that the budget was reviewed and voted on by the Board of Trustees. This is policy and is in the MA Board of Trustee Commission guidelines.

“Chair has been asked by the Finance Committee to present the budget at the April 9, 2008 meeting. (At that meeting Town Manager stated 3 members of the Board of Selectmen contacted him and requested the budget be heard on 4/23/08)

(Newly appointed chairman, Pam Gill, stated at the 4/14/08 meeting it was the Town Manager who requested the budget come to Fin Com on the 23rd)

E-mail from Linda Duffy to Jean Bartolo, Linda Call, Pam Gill, Ellen Palleschi and Mila Moschella on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 1:19 PM.
Subject:   Library Budget

Good Morning! I have just reviewed your notes on the budget that you
voted last night and I wanted to let you know that I note that there are
3 lines that have been underfunded. They are:
4 Library Associates - is underfunded by $7,656. These are 4 permanent
part time benefited employees. They need to work a minimum of 20 hours
per week to continue to receive their benefits and the sum of $92,756.
that was funded is the exact figure for these 4 employees to work only 20
hours per week to cover the hours of operation as is at present.
4 General Assistants - is underfunded by$9530. These are the staff who
fill in at the public service desks and cover hours evenings and
weekends. The amount of $43,730. that was funded is exactly the amount
needed to run those positions at the exact same hours at present.
3 Part time Reference - is underfunded by $2,626. These are the
professional Librarians who work evenings and weekends and the amount
funded of $13,000. is exactly the amount needed to fill these hours as is
at present.

I thought you might want to know. Call me if you need any thing.

Linda Duffy

Editors Note:     Ms. Linda Duffy is employed at the Saugus Public Library as one of the four library associates.

Newly Appointed Library Board of Trustees

                  New Library Board of Trustees Meet

Left to right:  Linda Duffy, Ewa Jankowsa, Theresa Lyons, Pam Gill, Mary Ellen Picardi, and Marybeth Spellman.

       Saugus Public Board of Library Trustees Meet

The newly re-formed Saugus Public Library Board of Trustees met on Monday, April 14, 2008 in the Saugus Public Library Community Room. Interim Library Director, Ewa Jankowsa, along with the lone holdover of a recent series of resignations, Pam Gill, newly appointed Terry Lyons, Mary Beth Spellman and Mary Ellen Picardi, a former employee of the library, introduced themselves to the public. Linda Duffy, also present, recorded the meeting.

Pam Gill was voted in as co-chairman along with Teresa Lyons; Marybeth Spellman was voted treasurer and Mary Ellen Picardi, a former library employee, was voted to serve as secretary.

The first item on the agenda was the presentation of a revised library budget. Ms. Jankowsa stated that the salary items were the most important issue to discuss so she began by explaining the changes made. The new board attempted to revise the budget to include salary shifts. Finance Committee Chairman Robert Paleschi explained that the budget had already traveled through the correct procedures, selectmen, town manager and finance committee. The explanation that because they were all new and not familiar with the process was not a reason to revise any budget and that revisions or amendments can be brought to the floor of town meeting. This is the accepted process according to the town’s charter, he stated. A decision was made to table the budget until the next meeting. Taking issue with the so-called stipend, Mr. Paleschi stated that all stipends were to be discontinued by vote of the finance committee several months ago.

Mary Ellen Picardi, who initially stated that she was new to this board and not sure of what to do, made a motion to remove all letters from the personnel file of Ms. Ewa Jankowsa and to start over with a "clean slate." Town Moderator Robert Long spoke up and stated that any letter, document or statement become public documents and, therefore, cannot be destroyed. He suggested that the Library Board of Trustees obtain an opinion from town counsel before destroying any records to which Chairman Gill expressed her thanks for his guidance.

A motion was made and passed unanimously that the interim director be given a three year contract with an evaluation in six months.

A sub-committee made up of Mary Ellen Picardi and Teresa Lyons look into the open meeting law. According to procedures at the town clerk’s office, all newly sworn in officials receive a copy of the law. A motion to adjourn was passed.

At 11:04 AM on Tuesday, Chairman Pam Gill posted another meeting for Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 3 PM in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library.

Former Chairman of the Saugus Public Library Board of Trustees Extends Appreciation

Where do I begin to thank everyone who helped us keep the Library open? Let me start with my team; the former Saugus Public Library Board of Trustees members; Linda Call, Vice Chairman & Treasurer, Ellen Palleschi, Secretary, Mila Moschella and Pam Gill. I could not have gotten the Library doors open without them, they believed as I did that we could save our Library and the employees their jobs, be re-certified as well as be cost efficient. Anyone who knows Linda, Ellen, Mila and Pam knows you will never find more hard working dedicated honest people. I can’t thank them enough.

To Bob Collins, Director of the Chelsea Public Library who invited us Trustees, Town Meeting Members and Selectmen on more than one occasion over to his Library to give us guidance on how to run a Library on a shoestring and be certified. Bob’s can do attitude is contagious and I am grateful to him. To Peter Manoogian for the Resolution he wrote, presented, and that was passed (29-16) on Town Meeting floor last June by my fellow Town Meeting Members. To Bob Palleschi, Chairman, and members of FIN COM who provided a budget for the Library for July 1, 2007. I know that our Fire, Police, Dispatchers, Emergency Management, and Schools and many other town departments sacrificed so that FINCOM could give the Library this $277K budget. I hope that we demonstrated that the sacrifice these departments made for our Library this past fiscal year was worth it.

To Selectman Steve Horlick who appeared on the Library’s behalf at the Mass Board of Library Commissioners along with Peter Manoogian in my effort to get the Library recertified last July and their staunch support ever since. To Dr. Keith Manville, Superintendent of School, former School Committee Chairman, Deb Panetta, the entire current School Committee for all their help and support especially when they have been in such hard times.

With some opposition, the Trustees implemented a Volunteer Program and a huge thank you goes to the 66 wonderful people who stepped up to help the Library. Another thank you goes to the committee for the Ellen Burns fundraiser last September that helped us buy new best sellers, along with the Lions Club, Peas in a Pod nursery school, the Garden Club the list goes on and on of organizations in this town who helped us. To the hundreds of you who donated books, office supplies, copy machine paper and ink cartridges; but what really kept us going was your moral support, thank you. I am proud of our accomplishments and am pleased to know our Library will not be closing anytime soon because the people of Saugus will not allow that to happen again.

Lastly I would like to thank newspaper reporters; Chris Stevens from the Lynn Item, Mike Gaffney and Kathy O’Brien from the Saugus Advertiser, and Janice Jarosz from the Saugonian, although I would never grant you an interview you did your best to run fair, accurate accounts of any issues regarding the Library.

In closing, during the time I was a Trustee and eventually Chairman of the Board of the Saugus Public Library, I took my responsibilities very seriously and am proud to say that I never missed a meeting in all seven years I was there.

Sincerely,

Jeanie Bartolo

Ballard Street Getting a face lift

Ballard's Corner has broken ground and is in the process of preparing the lot for development.  A construction fence was erected as a safety measure while the heavy equipment is working at the site.

          Saugus High School Senior Wins

            Rotary Art Festival Awards

                    "Gaze" by Janelle Downey

Saugus Rotary Club Art Show Honors Artists

                                                                        By Janice K. Jarosz

The 37^th annual Saugus Rotary Club Art Festival was held on Friday, April 11 and April 12, 2008 at the Saugus Senior Center and was a wonderful success, especially for a young and talented student at Saugus High School. According to both Dean Murphy and Dan Pranka this year’s winner for "Best in Show" was awarded to Janelle Downey, senior at Saugus High School – the first time in 37 years that an amateur artist took top honors.

Mr. and Mrs. Downey, along with their daughter, Janelle, stopped by the Festival on Saturday morning not aware that Janelle had received top honors. "I’m just a high school student," was her first reply when she saw her award winning charcoal entitled "Gaze" full of ribbons. Mrs. Downey, with tears of joy in her eyes, told the directors that this is the first time the family missed the opening of the Arts Festival. "We had a family party to attend and we had to miss the Friday night festivities. I feel terrible, but I am so happy my daughter won, I just wish we could have been here," as she wiped the tears of pride from her eyes.

Janelle, a student at Saugus High School began drawing in the first grade. Ms Janet Kierstead is her art instructor at the school. Not only did Janelle win "Best in Show" but she also won High School First, and High School Honoree for other submissions.

Janelle has been accepted at Mass College of Art in the fall. Members of the Rotary Art Festival took turns congratulated their talented recipient of this years’ "Best in Show and presented a cash award and several gift certificates.

Rotary Art Committee members include Dean Murphy, Kang Yu, Kathy Cucinelli, Dan Pranka and Jodi Piccardi.

                  Rotarians and Art Committee members  Dean Murphy and Kang Yu

Elementary First Place Ashley McCue     Elementary Second Place  Justin McCue

                                     Judy Hoffman with her "Flowers" Photograph

               "Gaze" with artist Janelle Downey and Rotarian Dean Murphy

                 (For a complete list of winners, go to Front Page Continued)

         Homeland Security, the  FBI and now the
             Environmental Police in Saugus, MA

    A Environmental Police boat was spotted trawling the Saugus River on Friday morning. 

                   Saugus Charter Commission Reviews Surveys

                              Gene Decareau- "Pie Maker Extraordinaire"                 

                                      Another One Bites the Dust

Saugus, MA:  While at a construction site on Route One, someone plowed into the rear of car number 20 of the Saugus Police Department.  Fortunately, the police officer was not in the vehicle when it was hit.  The disabled vehicle was towed to the DPW  yard and was parked along side of another disabled cruiser.  If things keep up, someone is going to have to dig out those long forgotten trail bikes and bring back the bicycle police.