The Saugus Board of Selectmen cited Emmitt Lozano, who received his Eagles Scout designation for a landscape beautification project at Prankers Pond, at a recent meeting.

Lozano said that for the project, he and his team cleaned the welcome area of the pond, washed the pond’s memorial stone, raked leaves, added mulch and bushes to the flowerbed, placed stone walls around the flowerbed, and fixed and repaired the welcome area’s sign.

“The project took a lot of work and effort from a lot of volunteers. It took a lot of effort from myself as well since I am not used to managing a project,” Lozano said. “For my graduation to become an Eagle Scout, I think it was a great process to be able to learn and add that to my adult life, to prepare myself for my future careers and goals for school and work life.” 

Lozano thanked the volunteers who helped him with the project, people who donated to the GoFundMe to fund the project, his parents for motivating him to complete the project, and the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Scott Crabtree for approving the project.

Scoutmaster Rich Bucko also spoke at the meeting, saying that Lozano has worked diligently for the troop and has been a strong leader for the troop’s young scouts.

“You guys should be glad to have him in Saugus,” Bucko said.

Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta read a citation that the board’s five members had signed, congratulating Lozano for his work on the project and achievement of his Eagle Scout designation.

Afterward, Panetta said after her son became an Eagle Scout, it helped him find his first job and when he applied for college.

“This will stay on your resume forever, it is a significant accomplishment and I’m sure your parents are incredibly proud of you, as well as your scoutmaster and all of us Saugonians,” Panetta said. 

Board Vice Chair Jeff Cicolini said that Lozano did a great job, calling it a “Herculean effort” that the board does not take lightly.

He said that he is fortunate to know a number of Eagle Scouts.

“You’re a special group of individuals, you show dedication to see it through to the end, you have to deal with timelines and job management and project management,” Cicolini said. “It’s going to help you out a lot in the future and you’re going to do great things.”

Selectmen Corinne Riley and Anthony Cogliano both thanked Lozano and wished him well in his future. Selectman Michael Serino congratulated Lozano, adding that only a small percentage of Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

“I certainly think you’re a fine man, you’re an asset to our community, and it’s an honor to meet you and participate in your ceremony,” Serino said.