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 9. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 10.

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

Katrina Berube: I think that the key priorities on this year’s warrant include balancing appropriate funding for our schools with maintaining the town’s long-term fiscal stability. We need to support our students while ensuring responsible financial planning for the entire community.

Another important item is the discussion around forming a Charter Review Committee. This has been raised in recent years, and it may be time to take a comprehensive look at how our town government is structured and whether updates are needed.

Finally, the proposed bylaw regulating e-bike usage is a timely measure focused on public safety as new forms of transportation become more common in our community.

Jaime Lincoln: I feel the recent hot topic is the budget for the schools. I am in full support for a fully funded school budget. My belief is that the schools are the foundation of a town and its reputation. Strong schools and youth sports are the heart of raising our next generation. I have been grateful for a wonderful experience thus far with my 2 children ages 10 and 7, but I know there are children whose needs can not be met and those who can’t reach their potential in a classroom of 29 kids. I do not want this to come at the expense of the taxpayers, seniors or other crucial departments in the town. I am hopeful continued discussion will develop other sources of revenue through town leadership to make this happen. With the right people continuing to push for other sources of revenue for the town it would be great for more large, successful businesses to be brought into Saugus to generate revenue but we need to seek them out or make it so that we are sought out!

Nicole Parziale: My three top priorities are school funding, e-bike safety, and oversight of new town developments. After watching a budget meeting, I heard claims that our schools are fully funded and should increase their educational performance without additional resources. I don’t see how that is possible when classes at Belmonte range from 26 to 27 students without paraprofessional support for teachers and with fewer adjustment counselors to support students. This was again due to losing one teacher at every grade level last year, as well as laying off several adjustment counselors. How can we demand better education when the teachers aren’t supported? Regarding safety, I am hopeful that new e-bike regulations are in the pipeline, and I look forward to a Town Meeting Member bringing an article forward for a vote. Lastly, while new developments can be positive, we must be mindful of the impact that more apartments and families have on our school capacity and budgets.

Judy Worthley: The budget is always a priority. I think continued transparency so that the residents are kept up to date with all important town issues.

Question Two: What do you consider the top priority for residents in your precinct as you prepare for the opening of the 2026 Town Meeting session?

Katrina Berube: For Precinct 9, my top priority is continuing to be accessible and responsive to residents while advocating for their concerns at Town Meeting. That includes addressing quality of life issues like traffic, neighborhood safety, and making sure residents are informed about developments that may impact them—particularly the ongoing traffic backups between the Howard/Main and Fellsway/Main intersections, which continue to affect daily travel for many residents.

It’s also important to continue building on local improvements, including maintaining our parks and public spaces and supporting projects that enhance the neighborhood. This year, that includes an article to appropriate funds to repair and construct the Griswold Lower Pond Dam and Griswold Pond Dam, which are important investments in our local infrastructure and environment.

Jaime Lincoln: Precinct 9 specifically I am hoping attention can be brought to the continued traffic at Iron Town Light. It’s a safety hazard and is a serious issue for Precinct 9 members. Speeding on Main St on the Wakefield line is at its worst. Additionally, response time for fire and safety is detrimentally affected. A west side fire station is in desperate need for those in our precinct and hopeful for this to come to fruition.

Nicole Parziale: A top priority for residents in my precinct is the ongoing traffic concerns at Main Street/Howard Street/Fellsway. Katrina Berube met with Jaime Lincoln and me in January to give us an overview of Town Meeting as well as bring us up to speed on any issues she has seen in Precinct 9 since she became a TMM. To improve communication, The 3 of us created a Precinct 9 Facebook page, which serves as a platform for residents to share concerns and stay informed about community issues. I asked this question on the page, and everyone who responded mentioned the ongoing traffic issues.

Judy Worthley: For over 40 years, a west side safety building has been a top priority. Talks and meetings have happened but everyone in Precinct 9 is more than ready for final action.

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.

  Katrina Berube: I am not sponsoring any articles this year. My focus is on thoroughly reviewing each item on the warrant, asking questions, and working collaboratively with other Town Meeting Members to ensure informed, responsible decisions.

  Jaime Lincoln: I am excited about several articles on the agenda, but specifically a committee to evaluate the empty school buildings by Jenna Nuzzo. It has been almost 5 years with these buildings continuing to rot. We need to start somewhere to see what can be done – whether it be outside sources funding/renting. The youth, the seniors, veterans or anyone could be making use of this space. Instead we have squished all these children together, deal with an insane amount of traffic to drop off and pick up the kids with no buses to relieve the traffic. So I am thrilled for this article and hopeful for a committee to start this process.

  Nicole Parziale: I did not submit any articles this year. I’m using this first session primarily as a learning year. I think it’s important to fully understand the process before jumping in, so I can be sure any articles I’m involved with in the future are solid and truly benefit the residents. But I am aware of a few articles that will be introduced this year, and if approved, will really have a positive impact on the town.

  Judy Worthley: I have had discussions with some town meeting members but, I am not personally involved in any article.