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 four of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 6. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 7. The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes four 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?

Jeanie Bartolo: Keeping our AA+ bond rating and maintaining our Stabilization Fund is a top priority for the town. We are fortunate to be fiscally stable. Many of the surrounding towns are in serious financial trouble and are considering overrides. After decades of trying, Saugus has attained 10% compliance on 40B projects, a huge success for the town. School funding is an important issue and the 30-year bill for the Vocational School is as well. Also, the price tag for snow plowing for this past winter. We have had literally no snow the past five years. Another priority is the third Fire station for the west side of town. We’ve had more than enough studies done over the years it’s time to get it built hopefully without the need of a potential override to support the funding. Also, electric bikes are another big issue town wide. A commission has been formed to regulate the use of electric bikes in town. There have been many issues with kids riding these bikes in traffic and on the rail trails and frightening seniors and families out walking. Serious tree issues with tree trimming and culverts not being cleaned out which causes flooding to homeowners’ yards and basements causing them to pay thousands of dollars in repairs.

Alicia R. Bonito: Saugus is rich with resources, RT 1 being so close to Boston, but is lacking a vision. Residents do not want to see another apartment or franchise fast food joint. It cheapens us. Retail generates less tax revenue than other sectors such as bio tech, medical and corporate offices. Saugus should be a destination where people want to invest in our community and raise a family. Yet, since 2019, free cash and stabilization accounts increased exponentially and funding for schools has decreased. For years, town meeting has prioritized bond rating to be the #1 issue, while our schools have not been funded to their full potential. Currently, our stabilization fund is at 17.35% (approx $21 million) and free cash sits at approx $18 million. These numbers are much higher than other surrounding towns with similar bond ratings. There is no excuse not to fully fund our departments.

Elizabeth Marchese: My top priority heading into the 2026 Town Meeting is ensuring true transparency in our town’s finances and decision-making. As a Town Meeting Member, I cannot make informed, responsible decisions without access to accurate and timely information — and right now, that access is lacking.

For example, I currently have six outstanding public records (FOIA) requests related to financial matters that have gone unanswered well beyond the required 10-day response period. That is unacceptable and undermines the ability of elected representatives to properly serve the public.

We are also seeing critical gaps in town operations, such as the town planner position remaining unfilled for nearly two years. At the same time, our schools continue to be underfunded, reflecting a broader lack of meaningful investment in one of the town’s most essential services.

Finally, there is a clear need to restore proper checks and balances between town government bodies. Without accountability and transparency, we risk making decisions that do not reflect the best interests of our community.

Until these issues are addressed, it will be difficult to move forward in a way that is responsible, informed, and truly beneficial for our town.

Carla Moschella: For most residents of Saugus and most towns, the top priorities are usually public safety, good quality of life, a good educational system, and amenities for the residents. Saugus offers all of these benefits. Public safety needs to remain a priority so that people feel safe and comfortable in their environment. Appropriate funding for police and firefighters is critical to a community’s success and desirability to home buyers and renters. And educational excellence and achievement are the keys to a strong future for the community.

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?

Jeanie Bartolo: There are several priorities for Precinct 6. First and foremost, the people who live in Cliftondale Square have spoken and they want to keep the integrity of Cliftondale Square and do not want it being developed into huge apartment buildings. We do have a serious traffic issue in the Square. Even though the area roads have been painted to relieve the congestion, it has not worked. The Square is bumper to bumper from 2:30 to 5:30pm every day. Like my fellow Town Meeting members from Precinct 2 (Bob Camuso, Jeanne Meredith, Matt Parlante), I am concerned about Caddy Farms’ potential construction and the disastrous effects it will have on Cliftondale Square if they try to divert traffic onto our side streets. These are tiny residential neighborhoods, and this should not be allowed ever to happen. Litter and trash are another major issue in Saugus. I really believe it is time for Saugus to purchase their own street sweeper. We need signage saying when the street sweepers are coming so residents can move their cars. As it stands now no one knows when to move their cars, so the sweepers just clean the middle of the street, and the trash builds up along the curbing.

Alicia R. Bonito: Precinct 6 sits between both elementary schools; there is a lot of cut through traffic during pick up and drop off. Public safety remains paramount as many people enjoy the walkability of our precinct. E moto in residential areas has been a major problem. Cliftondale also has so much potential and should be revitalized. Saugus deserves a walkable downtown area that highlights small businesses.

Elizabeth Marchese: My top priorities for Precinct 6 residents are improving traffic flow and safety, repairing potholes and damaged curbing from this past winter, and ensuring the Northern Strand bike trail is safe and well-maintained for all users — especially our senior population.

I also believe we need stronger traffic enforcement around schools and parks, a clear plan to revitalize the underutilized Cliftondale Square and thoughtful support for our neighbors in Precinct 2 as the Caddy Farm development moves forward, as its impact will be felt in Precinct 6 as well.

Carla Moschella: Cliftondale Square has always played an important role in Saugus. For many in Precinct 6 it is within walking distance, and the residents, as well as all of Saugus, benefit from an active, vital, mixed/use square with adequate accessibility.

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.

Alicia R. Bonito: I have spoken publicly about the E-bike E-moto problem on multiple occasions. My sentiment remains the same. Fine minors driving recklessly and impound their bikes. I am collaborating with other TMM who are dedicated to this matter. Stay tuned.

Elizabeth Marchese: I have been collaborating with fellow Town Meeting Members on an e-bike bylaw that establishes clear, concise regulations and penalties within the scope of Massachusetts law. I have also worked on several non-binding resolutions that I plan to introduce, which will hopefully bring to light how we can better serve our residents and reflect the will of the people. I look forward to reviewing and supporting articles submitted by other members and working collaboratively with all 50 Town Meeting Members during the session.

Carla Moschella: As a newly-elected Town Meeting member, I am currently not working on an article for the warrant but look forward to collaborating in the future.