Campaign Finance Reports: Ballot question committee spent more than $10,000 on campaign for Charter Commission

By Mark E. Vogler

The Moving Saugus Forward Committee raised $13,002 last month while spending $10,367.53 on its campaign to support a ballot question for forming a Charter Commission, according to documents filed this week at the Town Clerk’s Office. The campaign finance report covers the period of Oct. 4-30 and was among the documents filed to disclose the amount of money raised and spent up to eight days before the Nov. 7 town election set for next Tuesday.

Globe Cup LLC of Melrose contributed $5,000 to the Charter Commission campaign. The campaign expenditures reported by Moving Saugus Forward covered newspaper ads, printing services and postage.

First-time Saugus political candidate Matthew D. Parlante, who is running for the nine-member Charter Commission and a Town Meeting seat in Precinct 2, raised $3,765 and spent $1,959.77 related to his campaigns in both political races. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano, who has been the driving force behind the Charter Commission campaign, raised $2,600 and spent $2,444 on his campaign for re-election to a third consecutive two-year term, according to the documents filed this week. Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta raised $950 and spent $1,136.91 on her reelection campaign for a seventh consecutive two-year term. Panetta also raised $1,100 and spent $1,036.91 on her campaign for a Charter Commission seat. First-time candidate Sebastian DiModica spent $2,210 on his campaign to get elected to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini spent $740.50 on his reelection campaign.

Jeanette Meredith raised and spent $707.28 on her campaign for a seat on the Charter Commission. Frank V. Federico, a candidate for Charter Commission, spent $639.82 on his campaign. Peter A. Rossetti, Jr. spent $464 on his Charter Commission campaign.