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 1. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 2. The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes nine 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?

Mark J. Bell: I think the Town will be facing several significant financial decisions in 2026. Saugus will need to determine how best to fund the new vocational school and move forward with, what I believe is a necessary third fire station. At the same time, the proposed new developments near Palumbo Properties and the old Weylu’s site show that Saugus is still growing. Growth can be positive, but it has to be managed responsibly to ensure our schools, police/fire departments, and infrastructure are not completely overwhelmed. Careful, long-term planning will be very important in this process.

Stacey Herman-Dorant: Approving the Town budget is a priority. Continuing to maintain our financial stability, while focusing on positive growth, is important as we build on the strengths of Saugus. I’m committed to protecting our strong bond rating, which saves taxpayers millions of dollars that can be directed towards our priorities. Also, keeping healthy savings (a.k.a. Free cash) allows us to not to be as impacted by one-time costs such as severe winter storms and unexpected infrastructure disruptions. I believe that no matter where you live in Saugus you should get the same response time in an emergency. Therefore, I will continue to support the feasibility of a westside emergency response facility. Protecting our environment and moving Saugus to become more sustainable is important. I would like to continue the work of the Trash Committee (on which I served) by moving toward secure-lidded trash bins compatible with automated collection. I hope to work with other Town Meeting Members on precinct-based community cleanups and if WIN Waste continues to operate, they should be required to meet all existing emissions standards without purchasing pollution credits.

Susan C. Dunn: For the Town to come up with a Budget that is equally distributed to each and every department for their needs.

Sue Palomba: My top priority for the Town of Saugus is responsible financial planning while maintaining and improving essential services. We must continue focusing on smart budgeting, infrastructure improvements, public safety, and long-term capital planning. Ensuring that our schools, roads, public buildings, and public safety departments are properly funded and maintained is critical to protecting both our quality of life and property values. As we approach the 2026 Town Meeting, I believe the town’s top priority continues to be ensuring the safety, quality of life, and responsible development for all residents. This includes promoting e-bike and micromobility safety through increased community awareness and enforcement, posting clear speed limit signs for areas where motorized bikes are permitted, and ensuring compliance with regulations, INCLUDING THE RESTRICTION OF MOTORIZED BIKES ON WALK TRAILS. Motorized e bikes on Saugus trails are going too fast. There are signs posted on the walk trail. NO MOTORIZED BIKES. Residents including myself walk daily at 7:15 a.m. and we fear for our safety when I walk with friends. Public Safety: Recent incidents remind us that safety in public spaces, including trails and playgrounds, is a priority. Residents want well-lit, well-maintained areas and active collaboration with police and town officials to prevent crime.

  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?

Mark J. Bell: This past election in Precinct 1, two issues consistently came up during conversations with residents: E-Bikes and Stackpole Field. Most residents I spoke with do not want to see a ban on E-Bikes. However, they do want to see some sort of collaboration between schools, police, and parents to make sure our roads and sidewalks are safe for both riders and pedestrians. Currently there are two bills in the State Legislature regarding this issue. However, maybe we can see if there are things we can do at the local level before someone is seriously injured. The E-Bike Forum was a good first step. Second, the planned improvements to Stackpole Field. Many families in the precinct (as well as parents who have children who play sports there) would love to see a new Stackpole Field and playground finally come to fruition. Hopefully that project can keep moving forward!

Stacey Herman-Dorant: The upgrade of the Stackpole Field playground is a top priority. It’s my understanding through conversations with the Town Manager that there is a plan in place with budget appropriation so work should begin in the Spring. Precinct 1 deserves an upgraded playground where the entire Saugus community can come together with their family and friends. Additionally, Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta has indicated that there is concern with hunting near Prankers Pond. I will work to support her upcoming [by-law] that would prohibit hunting.

Susan C. Dunn: The residents in Precinct 1 need to let their Town Meeting Members know their thoughts and ideas. Also, if they have a problem, please let us know so we can work with you to hopefully correct the problem.

Sue Palomba: For Precinct 1, my top priorities include neighborhood safety, road and sidewalk improvements, and maintaining the character of our residential areas. These quality-of-life issues directly impact families, seniors, and homeowners.

Stackpole Field Playground: Enhancing local recreational spaces remains vital for families, youth, and overall community health. Supporting the playground ensures safe, accessible, and enjoyable areas for children and families. I am committed to advocating for practical solutions that make our neighborhood safer, cleaner, and more stable while protecting the investment our residents have made in their homes.

  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.

Mark J. Bell: Nothing specific yet. I would like to submit an article that has Town Meeting Members collect signatures every election. Currently, as the election approaches, Town Meeting Members sign a piece of paper indicating if they will be running again and that’s it. Seeing that Town Meeting Members have a lot of responsibility in saying what is done with taxpayers money, I believe it’s healthy for members to regularly connect with the voters they represent. Collecting signatures instead of just saying you’ll run again encourages direct conversations and outreach with residents and gives people a better understanding of what Town Meeting does and why it matters. So, assuming I can find some time between the craziness of youth sports activities, I am going to try and write up an article like this if I can.

Stacey Herman-Dorant: The Precinct 1 Town Meeting Members plan to meet in early March to share initiatives, hear from residents and set goals. There may be articles that will be introduced at Town Meeting. I look forward to seeing the articles submitted and carefully weighing how they will impact our Town.

Susan C. Dunn: No I don’t have any articles.

Sue Palomba: I am working collaboratively with fellow Town Meeting Members to review and support articles that promote fiscal responsibility, infrastructure upgrades, and long-term planning for Saugus. I strongly believe collaboration leads to stronger outcomes. One area I am particularly focused on is ensuring that any proposed spending aligns with clear, measurable community benefits. My goal is to support articles that strengthen public services while being mindful of taxpayer impact. We must balance progress with accountability. Through these efforts, I hope to accomplish thoughtful, forward-looking decisions that position Saugus for continued growth while preserving the strong sense of community that defines our town.