SAUGUS — Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano apologized if the placement of ornaments on the town’s unofficial Christmas tree, that honored deceased residents, offended residents.
In advance of the tree-lighting ceremony that was held earlier in the month, Cogliano led an initiative to put ornaments with the names and pictures of four Saugus residents on the Christmas tree in Saugus Center.
Youth and Recreation Department Director Greg Nickolas, Selectmen Clerk Wendy Reed, and Saugus residents Cam Cicolini and Theresa Whittredge all died in 2021 and were honored on the tree.
At the most recent and last Board of Selectmen meeting of the year, Cogliano acknowledged that the ornaments became a hot-button issue for some residents.
“We certainly meant no harm and didn’t mean to leave anybody out,” Cogliano said. “It was something I started a couple of years ago with the full support of the Board of Selectmen and town manager, and it was certainly done as a gesture to recognize some people I felt deserve to be recognized.”
Saugus resident Lauren Lepito wrote on social media how she thought her sister, Kimberly Lepito Rossi should have made it on the tree.
“There isn’t a time I can think of that she (Kimberly) wasn’t a part of something affiliated with the Town of Saugus,” said Lauren. “Kim was always trying to put together the next Juniper Drive reunion or attending some fundraiser or Toys for Tots event that the town hosted. I remember how devastated she was about having to say goodbye to the old Saugus High before it was torn down. You didn’t make the town tree but you are missed, loved, and remembered always.”
Since then, other members from the Saugus community who died in 2021 have had ornaments added to the tree.
Cogliano added that if anyone was to blame, it was him.
“I pushed it forward. I certainly didn’t mean to offend anybody,” he said.
