SAUGUS — The Board of Selectmen heard more on the Highland Avenue issue at their last meeting. The conversation was triggered by a change made to the one-way time on Highland and Pearce Memorial Drive.
Ted LaSala, who had spoken at a previous Selectmen meeting about the topic, returned to public comment to continue the discussion. LaSala was looking for clarification on the time change.
Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta explained that the change was made when Saugus Middle High School Principal Carla Scuzzarella and members of the Saugus Business Education Collaborative decided the old times for the one-way, which went until 5 p.m., were “extreme.”
Panetta continued that Scuzzarella and School Committee Chair Vincent Serino both came to a meeting and spoke in favor of a time change. She also noted that there was notice of both meetings, one for each street, in advance.
“She has a Ph.D. in education, correct? The Principal?” LaSala asked. “Well, my father had a Ph.D. He taught organic chemistry at Mass College of Pharmacy, and he told me that a Ph.D. means you have to get your bachelor’s, your master’s, then your Ph.D. And all that was was b*******, more s***, and piled higher and deeper. So, you ought to tell her to stay in education and leave the neighborhood alone.”
LaSala said that he doesn’t understand the times and that 1-3 p.m. doesn’t help the school traffic.
“We’re not supposed to be having a back and forth, because this is public comment and this isn’t on the agenda. But I will say that they thought that would actually help the people on Highland Ave. because then they can get to their homes after 3 o’clock, and there wasn’t much traffic between 3 and 5,” Panetta said.
LaSala said that it wasn’t helpful and that it opened the avenue up to the overflow coming from Main Street.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeff Cicolini said when the Board advertises the hearings, they also get recommendations from police and fire. The two departments had come back and agreed on the time change.
Selectman Anthony Cogliano asked LaSala what times would be best in his mind for the street, saying that they could schedule another hearing to look at the issue.
“If you had it ‘Do Not Enter’ from 3-5, that would protect us from the overflow from Main Street. … To me, that would make sense, but you have to have traffic enforcement, which is not in this town,” he said. “At least in my area.”
Panetta said she could reach out to Scuzzarella again to see if she could have a conversation with LaSala.
Another Highland Avenue resident, Patrick Darrigo, expressed his concerns. One of his concerns was with blockages occurring in the brook behind his house.
“The shrubbery, the trees, and everything have grown out of control. It’s stopping and slowing down the flow of water, which enters in my basement. I went to the town DPW numerous times, and it’s on a list. Three years now, and it’s still on a list. I think this is something that should have to be done,” Darrigo said.
He said that at his age and with his health, he can no longer take care of it.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree said he can have the DPW take a look at the brook. He noted that he believed there was a master list of the brooks the DPW took care of, and that it was done rotationally. However, he would have them check on the problem.
“The second thing I wanted to discuss is that they just put up new signs, ‘No parking’ on Highland Avenue up near the high school, and one down at the brook, and on Talbot Ave. They have the signs facing the street. The people who park there waiting for their kids can’t read the signs,” Darrigo said.
Panetta said it would be another thing the DPW would take a look at.
Darrigo also said something has to be done about the speeding on the street. He said he knows that it can be tough for the police to monitor, but brought up speed bumps as an option.
“If you look on Highland Avenue any day this week, you’ll see skid marks from Highland Avenue going up to my property from them speeding and racing up. It’s only a matter of time, you’re going to have somebody that’s going to get killed, especially now with these motor scooters,” he said.
