Saugus Founders’ Day 2011

Saugus Founder’s Day 2011 is a post from: The Saugus Review

Saugus MIS Director Michael Donovan has announced the town’s adoption of a new platform that will allow citizens to report issues like potholes or graffiti in their neighborhoods.  Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting tool is designed to be used from a mobile device, so residents can take part in community improvement while they are around town.  They can also report issues through the website http://seeclickfix.com, or right from the town website www.saugus-ma.gov .

Town Manager Andrew Bisignani expects to see great citizen response to the system.  “This reporting tool holds our government accountable to take care of quality-of-life issues that affect our citizens, and it holds the people accountable to take part in their communities,” he said.  “It’s a win for everyone.”

The SeeClickFix system has already been implemented by cities and government agencies all over the world.  The platform allows citizens to pinpoint problems on a map, comment on issues posted by others, vote to fix issues, and even create “watch areas” to keep tabs on a particular location.  Governments have appreciated the ability to respond to citizen requests within the platform, and to monitor specific areas.

Saugus residents are invited to download the mobile app, available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry, at http://seeclickfix.com/apps.  For more information, contact mdonovan@saugus-ma.gov .

Saugus Adopts New Citizen Reporting Tool is a post from: The Saugus Review

Town Clerk Demands Cooperation For Census is a post from: The Saugus Review

Peter Manoogian, a Precinct 10 Town member developed a very useful tool that can help residents in their tax calculation concerns. The web-based tool is an online calculator that will allow residential taxpayers to assess values and easily calculate their own tax bills.

The online calculator will allow a residential property owner to see last year’s property value, this year’s current value, the dollar amount of increase or decrease and the percentage of increase or decrease.

The creation of the device is timely, especially when the average residential tax bill will undergo an increase around $300 because of the latest tax rate approved by the Board of Selectmen. Even so, some homeowners may see a decrease in their tax bills but it all depends on home value fluctuations and this online calculator can help people approximate an increase or decrease in their residential tax bill.

Here are directions for using the online calculator:

Step 1: Click HERE . It should lead to the town assessor website page and then “search for parcel”

Step 2: Enter your house number in the box that indicates ‘NUMBER’. Enter your street name in the box that says ‘STREET NAME’ after that. You only need to enter the street name.

Ex: if you live on Central Street, just enter the word Central. Then click “FIND PARCEL.”

Step 4: Click – ‘PARCEL ID Number’. It will begin with a 262.

Step 5: A new screen should pop-up. On the new screen find “TOTAL VALUE” for “CURRENT YEAR” and “PREVIOUS YEAR”  Make sure to write down the values on a piece of paper. Note that  you should be writing the numbers to the right of TOTAL VALUE.

Step 6: Click HERE and enter the Current Year and Previous Year values in the yellow boxes. Your old and new tax bill will automatically appear in the boxes to the right as will the dollar and percent change. You may have to arrow over.

For further questions and inquiries, contact Peter Manoogian HERE.

NOTE: Figure is based on the proposed minimum residential tax rate. Not for commercial properties.

Online Residential Tax Caclulator Now Open For Use is a post from: The Saugus Review

The compost site and recycling drop-off site of the town of Saugus will be closed for the holidays. The last day the site located behind the Department of public Works will still be open is on Dec. 18, for the recycling of yard waste, televisions and computers, cardboard, paper, plastic, tin and glass.  The drop-off site for recycling of televisions and computers however will be open again on on the third Saturday of the month in January, February and March if the weather permits.

Saugus Compost Drop-Off Sites Close For The Holidays is a post from: The Saugus Review

The tradition for more than 25 years is back, with the Saugus Fire Department, once again spearheading the department’s Holiday Toy Drive.

Retired Fire Capt. Bill O’Malley, along with other former and current members of the Saugus Fire Department, are grabbing at the chance to provide gifts for local families again this year, a little something that brightens the holidays for hundreds of families in need.

O’Malley says the toy drive has been very successful over the years and that they are very glad that they are able to help because no one should feel left out, especially around the holidays.

Each year, O’Malley along with his team of volunteers put collection bins at Town Hall, the Fire Department, banks, and other town hot spots where residents can easily drop off their gifts.

The Saugus Lions Club also plays a vital role in supporting the toy drive. Earlier this month the organization held a Christmas party where guests were asked to bring a gift, and there is also a collection bin in the building.

After the ‘elves’ or O’ Malley’s team pick up the presents, they take them back to Santa’s Workshop at the Essex Street Fire Station and then sort them out according to age and gender. After the sorting process, the volunteers put the gifts into huge black bags, so that the children won’t get a peek at their gifts before Dec. 22, when the gifts are typically delivered to the homes, just in time for parents to put the packages under the tree.

The team expects to reach out to more than 60 families this month.

New and unopened gift donations can be dropped off at the Essex Street Fire Station, 120 Essex St., or at any of the collection boxes around town. For assistance or information about this project, you may call 781-233-7274.

Saugus Toy Drive Kicks Into Gear is a post from: The Saugus Review

A meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 14 at 7pm at the library by the Library Board of Trustees, at the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central. St.

The meeting’s agenda will be a discussion between the board and the residents of Saugus about the qualities and attributes that the next permanent Library Director should have. That is why tomorrow, the Library Board of Trustees will be seeking input from the residents of Saugus. The public is invited to voice their opinions on the matter so that they may keep in mind what the public wants as they search for eligible candidates for the next Library Director.

Public Meeting for the next Library Director is a post from: The Saugus Review

A female suspect went into Dunkin’ Donuts at 508 Lincoln Ave., December 6, and attempted to rob the store in an unusual fashion.

The woman, possibly in her 30s, with tan skin, approximately 5-foot 8-inches tall, weighing around 170 pounds entered the store and ordered a munchkin.When the clerk opened the cash register, the woman demanded the money inside and then threatened to stab the clerk with a needle infected with AIDS if he didn’t comply with her demands. Once the clerk refused the request, the woman then told him that if he did not hand over the money, she will return with someone who has a gun.

The woman left however, after making several more threats and then the clerk notified the police, 30 minutes after the incident, not sure of how to call it in or if he should, since no money was stolen.

When the police investigated the scene, there were no traces of the woman but eye witnesses add that they have seen her sporting a tattoo on her left hand between the thumb and index fingers that included the date 1992. She was reported last seen wearing a gray hat, navy blue coat, red-and-white scarf and blue jeans.

If apprehended, Lt. Campanello said that the woman will face robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon.

He also advised people that if confronted with a similar situation, it is advised to give in to the person’s demands rather than risk one’s life for money.

If you see anyone fitting the description, please notify the police immediately at this number: 781-941-1100.

Woman Attempts Robbery with ‘AIDS infected-needle’ is a post from: The Saugus Review

In conjunction with the Saugus Firefighters, Town Hall will also be collecting unwrapped toys for those Saugus families that need a little help this Holiday Season.

Please place an unwrapped toy in the box located on the main floor of Town Hall. All donations will be accepted until December 13th. If you would like to make a cash donation please see Joanne or Eileen in the Accounting office.

Together we can bring a little joy to a child this holiday season.

The need is greater for gifts for older kids.

Saugus, MA Holiday Toy Drive 2010 is a post from: The Saugus Review

The Georgetown police was called last night because of a disturbance in the office of Highway Surveryor Peter Durkee. The Police were alerted after the person who called 911 said that a suspicious package left  by an unknown male. The person who left the package also “made several concerning statements to Mr. Durkee about the package and left,” according to the release that the Georgetown police issued about 10:15 yesterday morning about the happenings last night’s at the Highway Department Complex at 203 East Main St.

Businesses as well as the Highway Department Complex were evacuated and the State Police Bomb Squad was called after the call. A computerized robot then investigated the device that was left in the area and determined that it was not dangerous.

Zachariah Alkhatatbin, 43, 5 Warden St., of Saugus, the primary suspect, was arrested and is now facing charges of possession of a hoax devise which was a felony, disturbing the peace and possession of marijuana. His vehicle was stopped by Officer Brian Neeley, of the Boxford Police Department  and after a brief investigation, the driver of the vehicle was marked as the suspect. Alkhatatbin was then arrested by Georgetown police officer Keith Deguio and Detective James Rodden.

After the arrest and the investigation in the area, the town’s highway complex was determined to be safe and was reopened by 1:30 p.m. yesterday.

Saugus Man Arrested for Bomb Hoax is a post from: The Saugus Review