WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 Saugus welcomes new town planner Lynn By Elyse Carmosino the residents of Saugus and the post, Mello lived in and worked for ITEM STAFF community as a whole.” the city of Somerville before mov- Mello, who started in his position ing to Saugus four years ago. raises SAUGUS — Alexander C. Mello earlier last month, holds a Masters “I’ve been onboarding (for) about has been appointed as Saugus’s Se- degree in Regional Planning from a month, so it’s really just been nior Planner. the University of Massachusetts trying to familiarize myself with In a statement released Dec. 11, Amherst and is a member of the the town and getting the lay of the taxes Town Manager Scott Crabtree an- American Association of Planning’s land, so to speak,” Mello said. “I’m nounced the new hire, and added Massachusetts chapter. looking forward to learning some of By Gayla Cawley that Mello “offers a wealth of experi- He previously worked in Chelsea the issues that are facing the town, ITEM STAFF ence” in the elds of planning, devel- as the city’s Planner and Land Use and doing whatever I can to help opment, and municipal government. administrator, and has also served overcome them.” LYNN — The average Crabtree said he believes the ap- as Framingham’s Associate Pro- single-family homeowner pointment “will be bene cial for gram Planner. Prior to his current SAUGUS, A3 Alexander C. Mello will see a $64 tax increase next year. The City Council vot- ed unanimously Tuesday night to set the lowest Peabody LYNN AUDITORIUM residential Council tax rate throws the at $13.40 maps book at per $1,000 GEARS UP FOR BUSY 2020 McGee home as- appointment. sessment. Page A6 No resi- out dents spoke during the tax classi ca- tion hearing that was held super before the vote and there was no discussion from the panel. hiring Although the new rate is lower than last year’s rate of $14.30, the increase in plan property taxes is due to the 8.19 percent increase on the estimated assessed By Anne Marie Tobin value of the average sin- ITEM STAFF gle-family home. PEABODY — The School The average single-fam- Committee expects to have ily taxpayer will pay an interim school superin- $4,720 on their tax bill, tendent in place by early based on an average sin- January as it launches the gle-family assessed home search to nd the successor value of $352,253. to the late Cara Murtagh. Last year, the average “We are actively working homeowner paid $4,656 with Massachusetts Associa- on their tax bill, based on tion of Superintendents and an average single-family Committees (MASC) and assessed home value of Massachusetts Association $325,600. of School Superintendents Still, Christopher Gaeta, (MASS) to select an inter- By Bill Brotherton Get the Led Out, the ac- Legendary Beach director of assessing, said im superintendent,” said ITEM FEATURES EDITOR claimed American Led Zeppelin Boy Brian Wilson, this year’s tax increase committee member Bever- out t, kicks off the 2020 sea- seen in concert at is “modest” compared to LYNN — The revival of Lynn last year when the aver- ly Grif n-Dunne. “We have son Jan. 10. This is their ninth Lynn Auditorium Auditorium began in 2006, when age single-family tax bill been working hand in hand time in Lynn, and previous in April 2017, re- the Boston Pops headlined a increased by $123. Two with both groups, who have shows sold out quickly. Beach grand-opening celebration on turns to the venue years ago, the tax increase offered all kinds of support to Boys co-founder Brian Wilson Oct. 1 that was quickly followed on Jan. 24. was $265, he said. get us through the rst three returns to the Auditorium Jan. weeks.” by shows by Peter, Paul and Mary It’s common practice in 24 to perform his greatest hits. ITEM FILE PHOTO The city continues to and the Vienna Choir Boys. Lynn to adopt the lowest Mike Love’s version of the band mourn Murtagh, who died on Flash forward to 2019, and the residential tax rate al- Thanksgiving, and Peabody city’s main entertainment venue presents a freewheeling version lowed by state law, which Veterans Memorial High is winding down its most success- of the band’s best-known songs is meant to put less bur- School Assistant Vice Prin- ful year yet. March 28. The rockin’ double den on the residential tax- cipal Judith Maniatis, who “We presented 80 shows and bill of Southside Johnny and the payers, Gaeta said. died on Nov. 30. more than 100 events this year,” Asbury Jukes and John Cafferty “I’ll always support the The two educators were the said James Marsh, Community & the Beaver Brown Band is on lowest residential tax rate primary focus of the Dec. 10 Development director and the tap for Feb. 22. classi cation,” said Ward committee meeting. A mo- auditorium’s executive director. Early next month, Marsh and 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi. “And 2020 is shaping up to be ment of silence was observed AUDITORIUM, A3 LYNN, A6 in honor of the two women. even busier.” “It’s been an extremely dif- cult and emotional week for all of us here in Peabody CAROLINA TRUJILLO across our school district and COMMENTARY across our city as we have had two wonderful educa- tors, who gave so much to the city of Peabody and its stu- Sing as loud as you can Item Santa dents, pass away, both unex- pectedly,” said Peabody May- or and School Committee I like the year-end holidays. I like the In my case, I was raised Catholic. In Colom- lights the way Chairman Ted Bettencourt. fact that each culture has a reason to come bia we pray for nine days straight, starting “I think Peabody is such a together to celebrate. on Dec. 16 and end our prayer with the birth By Thor Jourgensen special place in the regard Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, they of Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve at midnight. ITEM STAFF that it was really wonderful are all fabulous ways of promoting unity We call that prayer “Novenas” which in how the community came and collective prayer. I admire the intricate Spanish translates to nine days of prayer. Tiffany’s story is all too common and together in grief and in sup- traditions, beliefs and ceremonies each of I’ve participated in this form of guided the wish list she hopes Item Santa can port of one another for both them offers. prayer since I can remember, and to be hon- ll is heart-breakingly modest. Cara and Judy.” I also want to acknowledge the people who est, it’s one of my favorite traditions. I love She would like to give her three- Grif n-Dunne said a key don’t have a particular celebration because the songs and the short stories that narrate month-old daughter a “learning toy,” reason the district has they are not af liated with any faith or day by day; the journey of Mary and Joseph, clothes and bedding, speci cally a com- been able to continue since creed. I guess for them the holidays repre- starting at the Immaculate Conception, un- forter set. Tiffany has been out of work Murtagh’s death is Murtagh. sent the opportunity to have two extra days til the birth of Baby Jesus. I like it so much for seven months. She has managed to “She left us in such good off from work, being able to stay at home that I’ve kept it alive 2,708 miles always pay her bills but housing is a major ex- shape,” said Grif n-Dunne. and avoid horrible traf c and weather. Hey, from home (I Googled it.). pense because she needs to nd a de- those are great reasons to like December! leaded apartment. PEABODY, A2 No judgment here. SING, A3 “I have to save any money I received to pay for moving cost(s),” she wrote in a letter to Item Santa. Money Now in its 53rd year, Item Santa an- The effect of nually gathers appeals for assistance self-employment taxes like Tiffany’s and draws on the gen- Tony Garcia said and Social Security. A2 erosity of people who are more than the city’s sewage willing to give a little extra during the system backed Opinion holidays to help someone in need. up into his Lynn Saviors on land and sea Item Santa’s spirit has shone bright- home and two in Swampscott. A4 ly across the decades to light the way other houses on his of generosity and show people who are street last week. Lynn struggling, who think life is too tough Flooring and sec- Sewage backup (left) may to set aside time to celebrate the holi- tions of his base- put onus on LWSC. A6 days, that people care about them. ment walls have Sports Tiffany’s story is similar to stories been stripped due St. Mary’s boys shared by other letter writers who are to damage. basketball knocks off struggling to make ends meet. They are New Bedford. B1 ITEM PHOTO | OLIVIA FALCIGNO ITEM SANTA, A3 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 ENTERTAINMENT .......................A7 COMICS/DIVERSIONS ........... B4-5 HIGH 38° VOL. 142, ISSUE 9 OPINION ...................................A4 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 LOW 15° POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 FOOD ........................................B8 PAGE A8 $1.50 A2 THE DAILY ITEM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 OBITUARIES Frederick E. Russell Jr., 81 Andy D.