Town Meeting 2024 – Members vote to reconsider Community Engagement article; discussion continued till June 3 session

By Mark E. Vogler

SAUGUS – Just a week after Town Meeting members approved an article creating a Community Engagement Committee on a slim 22-21 vote, members want to take another look at Article 23. Members voted 28-15 to reconsider the measure introduced by Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Matthew Parlante. There were six abstentions.

“Upon reviewing the article, there are some things that concern me,” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian said before introducing his motion for reconsideration.

Manoogian, who initially supported Parlante’s article, said he was concerned that the Town Meeting was divided on the concept of a nonbinding committee designed to spur more citizen participation. “It should have a unanimous vote or a near-unanimous vote for the public to take it seriously,” Manoogian said.

Manoogian also noted the article needed some clarification in the way it was crafted. For instance, did bi-monthly meetings mean twice a month or every other month, he said.

“The last thing I want to do is create something that would go by the wayside and die on the vine,” Manoogian said, adding that he liked the idea, but preferred to see it referred to the next Town Meeting.

“I’m just concerned that Town Meeting is divided on this and it sends the wrong message,” Manoogian said.

Parlante said the purpose of his 10-member committee is to increase civic engagement through educational forums and existing town public events. His proposal stipulated that the town moderator will appoint one member from each of the 10 town precincts to meet bi-monthly, participate in two public events (like an information table at Founders Day) and also hold an educational forum prior to the 2025 Annual Town Meeting. The committee lacks a budget and its recommendations will be nonbinding.

Parlante said he is willing to make changes in the article to clarify the language and present an improved article. He said he considers the argument of Town Meeting being divided as “politics.” “I ask that you vote to have this committee formed,” he said.

“This is something for the residents. Nothing is binding. …We had less than 25 percent of voters show up [last election]. I’d like to see that increase,” he said.

Manoogian said he wants to meet with Parlante to improve the article. “I would like to have the opportunity to sit with him and go over my ideas as a former civics teacher,” Manoogian said.

Town Meeting voted to table discussion of the article until the next session of Town Meeting, which won’t meet again until 7:30 p.m. June 3 in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall. There will be no meeting next Monday because of the Memorial Day holiday (May 27).

Town Meeting has completed its review of most of the 33 articles on the warrant – except for six zoning articles and Article 23, which will be taken up at Session 4 on June 3, according to Town Moderator Stephen Doherty.