‘Hallin Principle’ advances in Saugus

SAUGUS – While the Special Town Meeting called for on Nov. 19 will deal mostly with the town budget, one article will look to shed some light on a dark period in Saugus history.Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian wrote the article to see if Town Meeting will vote on a statement of principle called the “Hallin Principle,” named after former Saugus High School teacher Isabelle Hallin, and to construct a display in Town Hall.The display tentatively would be located on the second-floor stairwell leading to and from the Town Hall auditorium and will feature a photo of Hallin with the statement, “May our actions within this Town Hall lead to greater wisdom and justice than sorrow and regret.”?It?s not a memorial,” said Manoogian. “I suppose you could look at it as such ? but it is in some ways it?s a commemoration of her and it establishes a concept that makes this relevant to what we face daily as individuals living in a civil society. What we do inside that building as taxpayers, elected officials, employees ? should have a higher purpose, and we should be cognizant of that.”In 1937, Hallin, then 25, held a school play rehearsal in her parents? basement because the high school was too cold. However, because there happened to be a bar in that basement, rumors spread that she was serving alcohol and cigarettes to students. The School Committee then voted to request Hallin?s resignation.After the story spread nationally, Hallin headed to New York to try and make it as an actress, but she was found dead in her apartment on Christmas Eve 1941. Authorities said she died of gas asphyxiation from her oven.The School Committee voted 11 days later to exonerate Hallin of any wrongdoing.According to the article, the memorial will be designed under the supervision of the Town Manager?s office with assistance from the Friends of Town Hall. The town may also accept donations to pay for the costs.Manoogian, who is being helped by Susan Dunn, Marilyn Carlson, Library Director Diane Wallace and Donna Gould, said the statement is not about judging the past.?In some sense you?re acknowledging her impact and that we as a community want to learn from it, and to establish this principle that we should very carefully consider what we do and the impact that it could have,” said Manoogian.Manoogian said he wants the material on which the statement will be inscribed to be reflective so visitors to Town Hall will see themselves as they read the statement.?If you?ve ever been to the Vietnam Memorial, that was designed with a purpose,” said Manoogian. “That when you look at the names it reflects back on you, you?re seeing yourself. The selection material and presentation is going to be critical.”Manoogian said he will hold a meeting at the library for residents on Nov. 13 so residents can ask questions about Hallin and the display.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].