Countdown Till Saugus Town Meeting

Editor’s Note: The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 4. As a special service to our readers and the registered voters of Saugus, we are reaching out to all 50 Town Meeting members, focusing on one precinct each week, in the weeks leading up to the start of Town Meeting, asking members about their expectations for the upcoming Town Meeting. This week, we received responses from three of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 3. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 4. The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes seven weeks from Monday.

Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2026 Town Meeting session?

Marissa DeMonte: Saugus students are my top priority; they’re our future, and we owe them real investment. The 2025 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education report card makes the challenge clear: enrollment keeps rising, but our school budget hasn’t kept pace. That mismatch is unsustainable. Last year’s cuts already reduced staff and pushed class sizes to dangerous levels, especially at Belmonte STEAM Academy. The vitality of our real estate market and our ability to attract a new generation of families are intrinsically linked to the strength and financial health of our public education system. We need to dig deeper and find solutions now, because this isn’t abstract; it’s an urgent issue shaping our town’s future.

Leonard Ferrari, Jr.: The biggest concern for me at Town Meeting is ensuring that all departments are properly funded while also maintaining accountability for how those funds are spent. It is important that the residents of the Town understand the budget process, including how funding decisions are made and where taxpayer money is being allocated. I believe stronger communication is needed between Town officials and residents so that people know who to contact when they have questions, concerns, or issues within their precinct. My goal is to be accessible to the residents of Precinct 3 and to provide transparency in the work that I do on their behalf. As the Town continues to grow, we must make thoughtful adjustments across all departments to accommodate these changes. These efforts must occur across the board and not be limited to just one area. Like many communities, Saugus is evolving, and with recent development, our current residents reflect an increasingly diverse population.

Amanda Ostrow Mason: Getting to a point where we can approve the town budget is, of course, the priority. We are all aware of the significant challenges currently facing our schools. But I worry that those who are not directly involved and have no kids in our schools do not recognize how dire the situation currently is. Not being fully funded last year led to severe cuts being made and not only do those positions need to be added back, we also need to keep up with the upward trends of ELL (English Language Learners) and high needs students. Some of the class sizes are averaging 28+ in the STEAM, Middle and High school. That’s a dangerous number especially looking at cutting more teachers which would force that number into the 30s. It is frustrating to see our leaders agreeing that we need more funding and then voting against that in meetings. We need to start looking at how to make this happen. To me, that’s the biggest priority we have. Investing in our children should always be a top priority.

Question Two: What do you consider the top priority for residents in your precinct as you prepare for the opening of the 2025 Town Meeting session?

Marissa DeMonte: “The elephant in the room” for Precinct 3, as I see it, is the proper revitalization and utilization of Stocker Park. This parcel has significantly deteriorated over time. Yet, despite its current state, the Saugus riverbank within the park remains a vital habitat for numerous bird species, attracting birdwatchers from across the region. Stocker Park’s untapped potential is immense; its natural bird habitat alone represents a significant asset. With sustained community engagement and collaborative planning, this space could be transformed from a point of concern into a cherished outdoor amenity for all. I’m eager to partner with residents and town officials to develop a comprehensive plan that realizes this vision.

Leonard Ferrari, Jr.: Two specific local issues that have come up frequently are the pending situation at Stocker Field and the future of the dog park, as well as the need for speed bumps at the top of Hurd Avenue leading to the Veterans School to help slow traffic and improve safety for students and families. I also intend to continue being a source of communication for all Precinct 3 residents and a reliable point of contact for questions, concerns, and updates. My goal is to make sure residents feel heard and stay informed about issues that affect our neighborhood.

Amanda Ostrow Mason: I think a priority in Precinct 3 is Stocker Field. The field and “playground” quality continues to go downhill year after year. We need to give our community more outdoor spaces to utilize. So many surrounding communities are making this a priority not only for sustainability but for families to enjoy. I am also concerned about Winter Street. It is a pass-through for many tractor trailers every day and is also subject to dangerous speeding constantly. A police presence at high traffic times of day would be a great starting point. I welcome all thoughts and ideas from any Precinct 3 residents and am looking at starting a Facebook page to collaborate with our residents.

Question Three: Are you working independently or in collaboration with other members on articles to be introduced for this year’s Town Meeting? Could you please elaborate? Summarize your article and what you hope to accomplish.

Marissa DeMonte: As a newly elected town meeting member, I’m still finding my footing and haven’t begun drafting any articles yet. What I am doing is building relationships, connecting with colleagues across precincts, listening closely, and looking for shared priorities. Collaboration matters to me, and I’m eager to work alongside them to advance the goals we hold in common.

Leonard Ferrari, Jr.: I am not currently working with other Town Meeting Members on any specific articles at this time, but I am certainly open and willing to collaborate with fellow members moving forward. I believe that working together can help develop thoughtful proposals that benefit the entire community. I am eager to help make the right decisions for the town going forward and to support initiatives that serve the best interests of all residents. My goal is to contribute to discussions and potential articles that will strengthen the town as a whole and ensure that all departments have the resources and support they need to effectively serve the community. For all residents of the Town of Saugus, my contact is 781-608-5008 or via email le********@***oo.com

Amanda Ostrow Mason: Being a newly elected town meeting member, there is much collaboration happening between several precincts at this time. We are all looking forward to the long-term planning for our town.