FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 Saugus says Lynn shop Swampscott worry: More is one toke over the line people, more problems By Gayla Cawley former O’Brien’s Pub. The company By Bella diGrazia Growth M.G.L 40R Overlay District Act ITEM STAFF is seeking to nd a cultivator for the ITEM STAFF with residents. The bylaw allows for the product, which is another requirement development of dense residential and LYNN — In a strange twist, it appears to open. SWAMPSCOTT — Traf c and popula- mixed-use projects near transit stations the biggest hurdle for a team seeking His company is leasing the space at tion density were the biggest concerns and town centers, according to the state’s approval to operate a recreational pot the Boston Street facility, which it would raised during Thursday night’s public Department of Housing and Community shop in the city might be winning over share with the other tenant, Bianchi’s, a forum on the proposed zoning bylaw for Development. The projects often include the neighboring town of Saugus. beloved pizza parlor and longtime staple the train depot area. more affordable housing. Jordan Avery, president and chief ex- on Revere Beach that is slated to open a The forum was the second one hosted “I want us to think about how to create ecutive of cer of Massachusetts Green second location in Lynn in two to three by town of cials, along with Jennifer a Swampscott we can love not only today, Retail Inc., is seeking approval from months. Goldson, the hired planning consultant but tomorrow,” said Town Administrator the city for a recreational marijuana under contract with MassHousing, to establishment at 829 Boston St., the POT, A3 discuss the intent behind the Smart SWAMPSCOTT, A3 Saugus library restrooms are now unisex By Bridget Turcotte ITEM STAFF SAUGUS — A pair of men’s and women’s bathrooms at the Saugus Public Library have been convert- ed into unisex facilities. The restrooms, located in the hallway near the Taylor Street en- trance of the building, have been converted so that “anyone, regard- less of how they identify in terms of gender, can use one if it is avail- able,” according to a post on the li- brary’s website. ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE “It was a practical decision,” said library director Alan Thibeault, The 2018 EMG Persons of the Year, back row standing, Martha Holden, Peabody; Jo who added that there were no civil Ann Simons, Swampscott; Lauren Maney George, Lynn eld; David J. Solimine Sr., Lynn; rights issues involved in the deci- Patti DiCarlo Baker, Marblehead; sitting, Rachid Moukhabir, Revere; Calantha Sears, sion. “We have a lot of moms and Nahant; and Elizabeth Marchese, Saugus, gathered at the Lynn Museum Tuesday. female caregivers who attend our story hours. The Taylor Street re- strooms are the closest ones to the community room where story Persons of the Year shows hours are held. It has not been un- usual to see a few women waiting in line on the women’s room while a real sense of community the men’s room was unoccupied.” A changing room was installed in the bathroom that was formerly By Steve Krause We are invested. Your issues are our issues. Your used as a men’s room and tempo- ITEM STAFF stories are our stories, and not just as vehicles to rary signs indicating both men and sell a product. Many of us live in these commu- women can use both facilities have For many of us, community journalism rep- nities, and those who do not live in communities been hung. Both bathrooms are resents more than simply a job. It’s not a 9-to- with similar issues. We do business here. What handicap accessible. 5 proposition, and it’s not a situation where we affects your business affects our business. There are four other public re- swoop into a city or town, extract a quick story, or We like to think we approach our stories, and strooms in the building; two male series of stories, on a bank robbery or a murder, the issues we deem important enough to cover, and two female. For now, those fa- and then leave. from the perspective of families who live in this cilities will remain designated for As someone who decided many years ago that area, pay property taxes, entrust their children either a man or a woman. my professional time was best served in a job to the public school system and organized youth “Those could be changed easily where I can see with my own eyes the difference I activities, and use the area’s infrastructure to go and I expect we’ll do so eventual- might make in people’s lives, I can attest that the to work, do their shopping, and run other errands. ly,” said Thibeault. “We don’t have rewards of community journalism go much further COMMUNITY, A3 a single urinal in the building, so than the check I receive at the end of the week. redesignation is easy.” Permanent unisex signs will be purchased and installed as soon as possible, he said. Dads joining Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow daughters on her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte. dance oor INSIDE Opinion By Bella diGrazia Jourgensen: When Ted ITEM STAFF came to town. A6 LYNN — Don’t step on my toes, says one fa- Coming Saturday ther-daughter dance event to the other. A Q&A with new Lynn eld Fathers and father gures throughout Lynn library director have two chances to treat their daughters to a lavish night out this year. A group of parents Sports put together a committee and created Lynn’s Marblehead swim inaugural Father Daughter Gala last July and team stays unbeaten. B1 are currently planning their second event. The city’s parks and recreation department is hosting its rst Daddy Daughter Dance in February, one week before Valentine’s Day. “It hit me a lot when I became a father that a lot of men get disregarded as fathers some- times,” said Leny Thomas, one of the Father Daughter Gala committee members. “We all Leny Thomas, 31, came together because we felt it was some- and his 1-year-old thing we could do to show dads, or any father daughter Jessenia gures, that they matter and give them a spe- were ready to hit cial night with their princesses. Stepping up the dance oor at as a man and being a father in a child’s life Lynn’s rst Father Daughter Gala last DANCE, A3 July. OBITUARIES ..............................A2 POLICE/FIRE .............................A7 COMICS ....................................B4 HIGH 40° VOL. 141, ISSUE 35 LOOK! ................................... A4-5 ENTERTAINMENT .......................A8 DIVERSIONS .............................B5 LOW 23° OPINION ...................................A6 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 OBITUARIES Youth foundation seeking Arthur P. Sakellson, 87 Claire T. Monks, 89 scholarship applicants 1929-2019 The Simon Youth Foun- tion initiative, visitors at LYNNFIELD — Mr. Arthur P. In addition to his wife he is LYNN — Mrs. Claire great-grandmother dation is seeking appli- Simon centers can pur- Sakellson, age 87, of Lynn- survived by a sister, Catherine T. (McIsaac) Monks, and will be missed cants for its Simon Youth chase SYF VISA Simon eld, died on Monday, Jan. 14, Laberis and her late husband age 89, of Lynn, died by those who knew Community Scholarship, gift cards, with a dollar 2019 at Salem Hospital after James of Peabody; a brother, on Tuesday, Jan. 15, her best. with the application period from each sale going to a brief illness. He was the be- William Sakellson and his wife 2019 at North Shore Claire is survived by running through Feb. 20. support SYF and its mis- loved husband of Constance Muriel of Peabody; and sever- Medical Center, Sa- her children, Susan Since 1998, SYF has sion. G. “Connie” (Coulouras) Sa- al loving nieces and nephews. lem Hospital follow- Howard and her hus- awarded $17 million in In addition to the com- kellson, with whom he shared Service information: His ing a brief illness. band Edward of Lynn, scholarships to nearly munity scholarships, 11 53 years of marriage. funeral will be held on She was the wife Steven Monks and 4,800 students, with $1 regional awards called Born and raised in Lynn, Wednesday at 10 a.m. from of the late William his wife Kim of Arun- million awarded to more “Awards of Excellence” he was the son of the late the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, Monks, who predeceased her del, Maine, Thomas Monks than 250 graduating se- will be given to top can- Pericles and Maria (Nearkou) 426 Broadway (Route 129), in 1972. and his wife Julie of Lynn and niors in 2018. Scholar- didates. The regions eli- Sakellson. He attended Lynn Lynn, followed by a funer- Born in Lynn in 1929, she Tim Monks and his wife Jean ship recipients are eligi- gible are Atlanta, Austin, schools and was a graduate al service at 11 a.m. in St. was the daughter of the late of Lynn; her beloved grand- ble for a one-time $1,500 Boston, Chicago, Dallas, of Lynn Classical High School, George Greek Orthodox Ernest McIsaac and the late children and great-grandchil- scholarship, which may Indianapolis, Miami, New Class of 1949. He also earned Church. Burial will be in Irene (Vient) (McIsaac) Mon- dren and her many nieces, be applied to tuition at York/New Jersey, Orlando, a bachelor’s degree from Sa- Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynn- tieth. She was raised in Lynn, nephews and close friends.