School ties

Vol. 5, No. 2 Fall 2008A PUBLICATION OF WHEELABRATOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.

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NaNational trtional treasureasureeWheelabrator Saugus honoredfor Bear Creek Wildlife SanctuaryBY RICH FAHEY

A 207-acre landfill transformed over the last 10 years into asanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife has earned aprestigious national award. Wheelabrator Saugus� Bear CreekWildlife Sanctuary was awarded the Wildlife Habitat Council�s(WHC) Wildlife-at-Work certification at the WHC�s 20th annualsymposium in Baltimore on Nov. 18.

In a congratulatory letter to Plant ManagerJohn O�Rourke, WHC President RobertJohnson wrote: �This prestigious distinctionis awarded to your program as a result ofyour demonstrated commitment towards

BY RICH FAHEY

Saugus Superintendent of Schools RichardLanglois got the news via cell phone just beforehe began his recent tour of the WheelabratorSaugus plant.

�The governor�s on TV talking about cuts tothe budget,� he said, shaking his head. �Justwhat we need.�

Area school districts have been experiencingsevere financial pressures in recent years, andSaugus is no exception. So Langlois, who just

New superintendentvalues partnership withWheelabrator Saugus

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Plant manager John O�Rourke, right, leads atour for new Superintendent of SchoolsRichard Langlois.

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2�Wheelabrator Saugus News Fall 22008

A PUBLICATION OF:Wheelabrator Saugus, J.V.

H. Bruce ManningRegional Vice President

John O’RourkePlant Manager

Wheelabrator Saugus, J.V.100 Salem TurnpikeSaugus, MA 01906Tel. 781-233-7600Fax 781-231-2793

www.wheelabratortechnologies.com

GRANT COMMUNICATIONS

CONSULTING GROUP781-598-8200

e-mail: gccg@grantgroup.com

PRODUCED BY:

Plenty of good news to fall back onAs we enjoy the fall season and look forward to winter

with the usual level of trepidation felt by those of us whocall New England home, there is plenty going on atWheelabrator Saugus we would like to share with all ofyou.

We are thrilled to report our Bear Creek WildlifeSanctuary has earned the Wildlife Habitat Council�s(WHC) Wildlife-at-Work certification. This honorrecognizes all the hard work and resources WheelabratorSaugus, North Shore Community College professor PeterYoung and Northeast Wetlands Restoration�s Geoff Wilsonhave put into the sanctuary over the last 10 years. Thesuccessful implementation of a comprehensive wildlifehabitat management program has allowed Bear Creek tothrive and still has visitors amazed to learn it all sits ontop of a capped landfill.

The success of Bear Creek has many contributors:Wilson has coordinated the effort from day one, makingthe sanctuary a habitat for two dozen bird species labeledas endangered or threatened; beekeeper Jay Falconeoperates 12 beehives on the site; and Young has made thesanctuary his classroom for several years.

This edition of Wheelabrator Saugus News is dedicatedto our ongoing efforts to be a good neighbor andresponsible corporate citizen. For example, you will readabout our involvement with Special Olympics Day atWorld Series Park as well as our sincere thanks to BobDavis, Steve Agganis and all the volunteers that made theday such an important fundraiser for the organization.

And, on a personal note, I have the privilege to sharewith you my participation in the Pan-Mass Challenge toraise money for the Jimmy Fund for the past nine years. Iknow all of us can say we either lost a family member orclose friend to cancer, or know people who have. TheJimmy Fund is doing amazing work in the quest to curecancer and the Pan-Mass Challenge has raised anincredible amount of money in the last 28 years. Once youdo the ride, you can�t help but keep going back, especiallywhen you consider how great the cause is.

Enjoy the rest of the fall.

John O�Rourke is plant manager at Wheelabrator Saugus.

JOHN O’ROURKE

BY AMANDA WEBER

Excelling in and out of the classroom, TritonRegional High School�s Peter Rock Jr. is noordinary teenager. The three-sport captain andan academic standout was recently honored asthe 2008 Daniel P. Madigan MemorialScholarship recipient.

Sponsored by Wheelabrator TechnologiesInc., the scholarship is awarded to two studentseach year � one from Triton and the other fromNorthbridge High School � who have beenaccepted into an engineering program at adegree-granting college or university. Eachrecipient receives $5,000.

This year marks the 13thannual scholarship, whichhonors Daniel Patrick Madigan,former New England regionalvice president of Wheelabrator,who died in 1995. A pioneer inthe waste-to-energy business,Madigan also served as chief

engineer and plant manager ofWheelabrator Saugus (thenknown as RESCO) during thecompany�s early years.

Madigan�s son, Cornelius,who serves as site manager atWaste Management�s ,,recycling facility in Gloucester, presentedRock with the scholarship during the seniorawards ceremony at Triton on June 6.

�This is the 13th year Wheelabrator hasgiven this award,� said Madigan. �I think it isreally great how much it helps give a studentfrom Triton High School a chance to pursue acareer in engineering.�

Madigan is one of seven children whoattended Triton Regional High School; he

currently has four children in the schooldistrict.

Rock, who is majoring in biomedicalengineering at Boston University, said he isparticularly interested in pursuing a career inmedical prosthetics, including making artificialhearts and prosthetic skin.

�My dad has always been interested inengineering and my sister has had medicalissues,� Rock said. �So, I have had a lot ofexposure to both fields. This major combinesthose two interests.�

As a recipient of several other awards at thesenior awards ceremony, including second

highest grade-point average, theAP Calculus Award, APChemistry Award and the 2008Outstanding Scholar-AthleteAward, Rock was honored to addthe Madigan Scholarship to hislist of achievements.

�I want to thank Wheelabratorvery much for this award and Iwill do my best to put it to gooduse,� he said.

Among his many otheraccomplishments, Rock served ascaptain of the Triton RegionalCross Country team during bothhis junior and senior years and

will be running with the BU team thisupcoming fall. He also served as captain ofboth indoor and outdoor track and madeState�s in the 400, long jump, high jump and4x4 relay (outdoor track) and 300 meter(indoor track).

Rock lives in Salisbury with his parents,Peter Sr. and Linda, and sister, Kelsey. Heenjoys boating, skiing, Ultimate Frisbee, andflying model planes.

Madigan Scholarship winner is solid as a Rock

Cornelius Madigan, right, presented the Daniel P. Madigan MemorialScholarship to Triton Regional High School 2008 graduate Peter Rock Jr.

I want to thankWheelabrator

very much for thisaward and I will

do my best to put it to good use.

Peter RockMadigan Scholarship

recipient, 2008

�

Wheelabrator Saugus News Fall 22008 �� 3

WheelabratorSaugus

Quick FactsWheelabrator Saugus has an electric generating capacity

of 40,000 kilowatts � the equivalent of supplying the electrical needs of 35,000 Massachusetts homes.

II nn cc oo nn tt rr oo llController Steve Pugliese keeps an eye on the bottom line at Wheelabrator Saugus.

BY RICH FAHEY

Steve Pugliese found leaving the food business was a recipe forsuccess.

Pugliese, 41, spent 10 years working as a chef before decidingto leave the restaurant business for something with better hours.His new career path has taken him to Wheelabrator Saugus, wherehe is the new plant controller.

�I was married, with a young child and working nights,weekends and holidays,� Pugliese said. �I wanted to spend timewith my family.�

A native of the Capital region of New York State, Pugliese wentto college at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. andembarked on a series of jobs as a chef in Providence, Cape Cod,New Hampshire and Atlanta, cooking mostly international cuisine.

�I learned the importance of teamwork in the restaurantbusiness,� said Pugliese. �A kitchen is only as good as the weakestlink.�

While still working in the restaurant business, he went to schoolnights and learned the ins and outs of accounting. In 1999, aftergraduating, Pugliese was hired as a payroll benefits and accountsreceivable clerk at Wheelabrator Saugus. Like many of hiscolleagues, he made the rounds working at different plants andWheelabrator�s Hampton, N.H. headquarters. In 2001, Pugliese

left Saugus for Wheelabrator Hampton and served as anaccounting clerk. He then shifted to Wheelabrator North Andover,before once again returning to Hampton. Pugliese hunkered down,climbed the ladder and earned his most recent appointment asplant controller of Wheelabrator Saugus and returned to where itall started.

Now, Pugliese serves as the financial eyes and ears for PlantManager John O�Rourke.

He constantly monitors revenues and expenses to make sureeverything stays stable. If things change � a huge spike in fuelcosts, for instance, threatening to cause a budget shortfall � hesounds the alarm.

�The ultimate responsibility for making changes in our budgetrests with John O�Rourke,� he said. �I give him my opinion andhelp him to make an informed decision.�

For Pugliese, one of the best parts about returning to Saugus isreuniting with many of the same people he started working with in1999.

Pugliese and his wife, Marybeth, and daughter, Zoe, live inHampton, N.H.

There�s one part of his past he�s not really advertising and was alittle sheepish about admitting. �I�m still a Yankees fan,� he said,as he looked around nervously. �But people are still very nice tome.�

Pugliese: financial eyes and ears of Wheelabrator Saugus

EMPLO

EMPLO

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YEE

PROFILE

PROFILE

Controller Steve Pugliese works with Purchasing AgentMarj Campbell.

Wheelabrator Saugus News FFaallll 220000884 � Wheelabrator Saugus News FFaallll 22000088 � 5

Whether it�s supporting a group ofSpecial athletes, trying to help save lives orfunding an important summer youthprogram, Wheelabrator Saugus continues todemonstrate its commitment to thecommunity.

�Wheelabrator has always felt it isimportant to participate in the community,�said Plant Manager John O�Rourke. �We tryto contribute not only financially, but bygetting involved with projects.�

Wheelabrator proudly sponsors SpecialOlympics Day at World Series Park. Thethird annual event was held Sept. 13 andraised more than $12,000 for SpecialOlympics, which is celebrating its 40thanniversary this year. In three years, SpecialOlympics Day at World Series Park hasraised almost $27,000.

�Wheelabrator is one of the majorsponsors and we greatly appreciate their

support,� said Bob Davis, the tirelesschairman of the World Series ParkCommittee, which raised the funds to design

and build the ballpark.�John O�Rourkenever hesitates whenwe ask forWheelabrator�s help.�

This year�s SpecialOlympics Dayincluded a tournamentof four SpecialOlympics softballgames. The MelroseRotary team took top

honors, and all athletes received medals. The Special Olympians marched onto the

field and were joined by Olympic medalistsSandra Whyte Sweeney of Saugus, Nancy

Kerrigan of Lynnfield, DanMcCormack of Wakefieldand A.J. MleczkoGriswold of Concord.

Special Olympics Dayis named in honor ofHarry Agganis, thelegendary athlete from

Lynn Classical, Boston University and theBoston Red Sox. The idea for it wasinspired by Steve Agganis, a grand-nephewof Harry Agganis and owner of AgganisConstruction, and his family. Steve Agganiswas instrumental in building World SeriesPark. His son, Gerry, threw out the firstpitch during the opening ceremonies.

Defibrillator donation will save livesWheelabrator Saugus produces enough

energy to meet the needs of 30,000 homes.A donation the company made to the townwill produce enough energy to save lives.

O�Rourke presented a check for $2,500 toSaugus Fire Chief James Blanchard andSelectman Chairman Donald Wong. Themoney will be used to purchase anautomatic external defibrillator for the firedepartment.

�It�s terrific that Wheelabrator would stepup and do this,� Blanchard said. �It�sdefinitely going to save someone�s life.�

O�Rourke said it was easy to say yes toBlanchard�s request.

�The Saugus Fire Department does anoutstanding job day in and day out,� he said.�It�s very important that they have the mostup-to-date equipment, especially when

you�re talking about a machine that can savelives.�

�Wheelabrator has been a greatneighbor,� Blanchard said. �They havehelped us out on a number of occasions.�

Saugus Youth and RecreationCommission energized by donation

More teens were working in Saugus lastsummer, thanks to Wheelabrator Saugus.

The waste-to-energy plant made a $5,000donation to the Saugus Youth andRecreation Commission. WheelabratorSaugus Plant Manager John O�Rourkepresented the donation to Town ManagerAndrew Bisignani, Youth and RecreationCommission Chair Donna Gould andRecreation Director Greg Nickolas.

The money was used to fund summerjobs for Saugus teens, many of whomworked on putting the finishing touches onthe new track behind Belmonte MiddleSchool as well as serving as counselors for asummer track camp for about 50 kids.

�This is the latest example ofWheelabrator stepping up to help the townwith a critical need,� Bisignani said. �Weare fortunate to have them as responsiblecorporate citizen in Saugus.�

Nick McLeod, left, and Andrew Goldberg of Saugus, make some noise at WorldSeries Park at the Special Olympics.

Caring communityWheelabrator Saugus gets behind good causes

Above, Saugus Fire Chief James Blanchard, left, Wheelabrator Saugus Plant ManagerJohn O�Rourke and Selectman Chairman Donald Wong get a look at the type of

defibrillator the town bought with a donation from Wheelabrator.Below, John O'Rourke,second from left, presents a donation to Donna Gould, chair of the Saugus Youth

Commission, and, from left, Chris Tarantino,director of the summer track program,Town Manager Andrew Bisignani andRecreation Director Greg Nickolas.

Olympic athletes, from left, Sandra Whyte Sweeney,A.J. Mleczko Griswold, Nancy Kerriganand Daniel McCormick attended Special Olympics Day in Saugus.

The Lynn English High School JROTC presented the colors at the opening ceremony atSpecial Olympics Day.

Wheelabratorhas always

felt it is important toparticipate

in the community.John O’RourkePlant Manager

�

FOR THE

6 � Wheelabrator Saugus News Fall 22008

long-term wildlife habitat enhancementefforts.� Johnson especially applaudedWheelabrator�s efforts to control thegrowth of the common reed, supportand partner with educational facilitiesand ongoing relationship with the localAudubon Society.

Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary hasblossomed into the habitat for 24 birdspecies labeled as endangered orthreatened, as well as animals such ascoyotes, fox, mink, raccoons and snakes.

�This is a tribute to the foresight andefforts of the people who began thisprocess 10 years ago,� said O�Rourke.�Their commitment and follow-throughhas brought us to the end result today.The original intentions have beenachieved and now it�s up to us tomonitor and sustain the habitat bybringing in as many different species ofanimals native to the habitat.�

Wheelabrator Saugus created BearCreek Wildlife Sanctuary in 1998 andhas spent more than $2 million in

restoring the capped landfill with nativegrasslands. Geoff Wilson of NortheastWetlands Restoration oversaw theproject, planting 17,000 trees in the firstyear and developing nine coastalecosystems to attract nearly 200 differenttypes of birds.

�What Geoff did in a few years iswhat nature would have done in 12,000years of vegetation succession,� saidPeter Young, a professor at North ShoreCommunity College, who has used thesanctuary as an outdoor classroom forseveral years. O�Rourke credited Youngwith being a driving force behind thedevelopment of Bear Creek.

Beekeeper Jay Falcone came on boardin 2000, and now operates 12 beehiveson the site.

To continually attract new grasslandspecies, Wilson works to introducevaried plant life and wildflowers to thehabitat. The sanctuary is also home tosnowy geese, turkey and pheasants.

The certification by the WHC is goodfor two years and must be renewed in2010.

BEAR CREEK: from Page 1

National treasure: Bear Creek wins wildlife award

Superintendent values partnership with Wheelabrator

took over the Saugus schools afterserving as assistant superintendentin Haverhill, said the relationshipbetween WheelabratorTechnologies (and its parentcompany, Waste Management) andthe schools is playing a vital role inhelping him to revitalizetechnology on all levels in SaugusPublic Schools.

It starts with Wheelabrator�songoing involvement with theWaybright School, which it has�adopted� as its partner. As a boardmember of the Saugus BusinessEducation Collaborative (SBEC),Wheelabrator has helped to fund ororganize many events in the schooldistrict, such as the Taste forNutrition, the Taste for Education,the Unsung Heroes Awards, and theannual Job Shadow Day.

For the fourth year,Wheelabrator, through the WasteManagement Foundation, will makea $10,000 donation to upgradetechnology in the Saugus schools.Last year, the $10,000 wenttowards purchasing SMART Boardsfor every classroom in theOaklandvale School, and teachersare being trained in their usethrough the Salem State CollegeEducation Collaborative.

Langlois credited Wheelabratorwith working in tandem with thedistrict towards reaching the 100percent benchmark in the numberof certified teachers in the Saugus

schools, a requirement under thefederal No Child Left Behind(NCLB) Act.

�I think there�s great value informing partnerships with theindustries and that they standbehind the schools and help usproduce students who meet thehighest standards because

inevitably they�re going to hirethose kids,� Langlois said. �So it�sa good investment to support theschools in these difficult financialtimes. I think it�s greatWheelabrator has the ability tosupplement what we need toaccomplish to provide those kindsof students who are going to be our

future.�Langlois said there�s no longer

room in the economy for theunskilled worker, and that means abig investment in technology.

�The older generation like myselfdidn�t have technology growing upand we did OK, but the world haschanged and you need to have the

base in technology,� Langlois said.Plant manager John O�Rourke

said Wheelabrator�s involvementwith the Saugus schools is �veryimportant. It�s part of goodbusiness. It�s also one of the corevalues that as a company bothWheelabrator and WasteManagement feel is an integral partof doing business. You participatein the community. We do a lot ofthings not only just bycontributions, but working in thecommunity. It�s really all aboutputting a face to the facility.�

Also participating in the tour ofthe plant was Saugus High Schoolmath teacher Laurie Golan, whoworks with Wheelabrator Saugus toorganize an annual Job ShadowDay, an important part of theschools� career-education program.

�We have a new Saugus policeofficer and a member of the FireDepartment and they would neverhave done it if they hadn�t firsttried it as part of Job Shadow Day,�she said.

This year, Wheelabrator handedout organizers to teachers at arecognition breakfast at thebeginning of the school year.

�We have veteran teachers whosaid they had never beenrecognized like that,� said Langlois.

Langlois said he had but onerequest for Wheelabrator when itcomes to its relationship with theSaugus schools.

�Stay focused on the kids,� hesaid. �You�re doing a great job.�

SUPERINTENDENT: from Page 1

Plant manager John O'Rourke leads a tour which included Saugus High math teacher Laurie Golan, left,and Superintendent of Schools Richard Langlois.

The entrance to the Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary at Wheelabrator Saugus.

Wheelabrator Saugus News Spring 22008 - 7

Wheelabrator Saugus

has received the

prestigious Wildlife at

Work certification award

from the Wildlife

Habitat Council for the

plant�s demonstrated

commitment to

long-term wildlife

habitat enhancement

efforts, as evidenced

by Bear Creek

Wildlife Sanctuary.

BEAR FACTS

8 � Wheelabrator Saugus News Fall 22008

O’Rourke rides to raise money for Jimmy FundPEDAL POWER

Wheelabrator Saugus Plant Manager JohnO�Rourke holds a check signifying theamount raised in the Pan-Mass Challenge.

BY RICH FAHEY

When he�s not running the Wheelabrator Saugusplant, you can find Plant Manager John O�Rourke outcycling on the highways and byways of the NorthShore.

It�s his �quiet time,� a release from the stresses ofthe workday.

But his exercise also has a serious side. For the pastnine years, O�Rourke has also participated in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), raising $88,000 in the battleagainst cancer.

The Pan-Mass Challenge is one of the largest fund-raising efforts in the country and has raised more than$200 million for the Jimmy Fund since 1980. The2007 event alone raised more than $33 million,with an amazing 99 percent of all funds raisedby riders going directly to the Jimmy Fund. Asof November 6, this year�s ride had alreadyraised $35 million.

O�Rourke rides with brother-in-law DaveHardin, who has done 24 Pan-Mass events.

Over the first weekend in August, theycompleted the Wellesley-to-Provincetownroute, which required them to ride 163 miles intwo days. After many years of completingthe original 192-mile Sturbridge-to-Provincetown route, the pair

opted for the shorter route this year due to Hardin�srecent hip-replacement procedures.

O�Rourke trains at night during the spring andsummer and during the weekends whenever he can.

�My biggest fear going into it every year is notknowing if I�ve had enough training rides to finish,�said O�Rourke, 47, a Woburn native who still lives inthe city.

He sends out about a hundred letters to family andfriends each spring announcing his intention to rideand asking for pledges, and about 75-80 percentrespond, with donations ranging from $20 to $200.

Every one of the thousands of riders in thePan-Mass has a story to tell about why

they compete, and O�Rourke is nodifferent. He has lost a close

friend, and the mother andbrother of another close friendto cancer. He also rides in honorof several dear friends who havebravely fought and defeated thisdisease.

The feeling of camaraderie andfellowship that

developed both during thetraining rides and theevent itself is one of thereasons he keeps comingback. �They�re all goodfriends you happen to seeonce a year,� O�Rourkesaid about his fellowriders.

The PMC is an eventwhere everyone is in ittogether with just twogoals in mind: finishingand raising as much money

as they can.�We�re just trying to get through it together,�

O�Rourke said. �If you get a flat tire, people come andhelp to make sure you have the equipment you need.When someone is struggling, you see people stay backwith them to help them along.�

He knows all the training, stiffness and soreness thatcomes with the two-day ride is worth it when he seesthe signs young cancer survivors are holding at the sideof the road as they cheer on the riders.

�The signs say, �I�m five because of you.��O�Rourke said, then he paused and added, �You cansee where they crossed out the four.�

John O�Rourke rode inthe Pan-Mass Challengefor the ninth time.