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 8. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 9. The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes two 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?

William E. Cross III: The top priorities for me are a 3rd fire station and to keep the town in good financial shape to tackle this station. We see across the state, cities and towns conducting overrides for operational cost. I am thankful this is not Saugus. We lived those dark days of station closures, the library shutting down, layoffs, early retirements and not filling in for members that retired. I don’t want to go back to those days.

Arthur Grabowski: The absolute top priority for the Town at this next Town Meeting is to maintain a sound and sustainable financial footing. Many of the surrounding cities and towns are in the process of voting for millions of dollars in tax overrides. Many have predicted drastic cuts in personnel and curtailment or closing of town departments, such as libraries or senior citizen activities. Taxpayers in many of these communities have voted down tax overrides. The hard-pressed taxpayers are saying NO to governments requesting any increases in their tax burdens. They are demanding that their government do more with less.

Saugus has clawed back from the brink of receivership when the Essex Street fire station was intermittently closed, the library was on the verge of closing and there was the threat of a One-Million-dollar trash fee not to mention that the town had a junk bond rating and had to borrow money by utilizing the state bond rating. This was accomplished not by a sleight of hand nor a Proposition 2 ½ override but rather a new administration that developed a conservative approach to government spending. Our stabilization account was slowly increased to where it is today and outside bond rating agencies have given us a AA+ bond rating. This has allowed the town to borrow funds at quite attractive rates, thus saving monies to be used as operational funds. Town meeting is the only appropriating authority in the town. Monies cannot be spent without a vote of the Town Meeting. As such, it is incumbent on Town Meeting to heed the recommendations of our professional Town Manager and Finance Committee.

We cannot spend money Willy-nilly to satisfy the whims of certain factions in town.

Throwing money at perceived problem areas in town will not solve the problems but will rather create structural deficits in future years with the potential to seek tax overrides that our residents can ill afford.

Kristi Talagan: As a Town Meeting Member, my focus is on making responsible, informed decisions that balance the town’s immediate needs with long-term sustainability. I think one of the top priorities for Saugus is fiscal responsibility and budget oversight. We – The Town Meeting – play a critical role in approving budgets, so it’s very important that we carefully evaluate the spending in the town, ensure transparency, and make decisions that protect taxpayers while still supporting essential services like education and public safety.

Next is public safety infrastructure. As proposals come before Town Meeting such as funding for additional public safety facilities we need to weigh both the cost and the long-term benefit to ensure residents across all precincts receive timely and effective emergency services. There is a significant and growing senior population in Saugus which directly impacts public safety, senior services, and property tax sensitivity (those on a fixed-income). About 28–29% of residents are age 60 2025, according to MA HEALTHY AGING COMMUNITY PROFILE/Saugus.

Infrastructure and traffic management are also ongoing concerns. As members, we are responsible for reviewing and approving capital projects that directly impact road safety, traffic flow, and overall quality of life in Saugus.

Finally, responsible economic development is critical. Whether it’s cannabis establishments or other commercial development, Town Meeting Members must ensure that zoning and licensing decisions align with community standards and provide real, measurable benefits to the town. Hiring a town planner is a must.

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?

William E. Cross III: In my opinion the top priority for Precinct 8 is sidewalks. The sidewalks are in need of some of TLC.

Arthur Grabowski: I represent residents in Precinct 8…the top priority as we see it is traffic congestion and over development in town. Multi-unit apartment development has overtaxed our infrastructure….our zoning laws must be adhered to and variances must be curtailed….to maintain the quality of life that our residents have come to expect in their neighborhoods.

Kristi Talagan: For Precinct 8, my role is to ensure that local concerns are clearly represented and addressed at the Town Meeting level. A priority is advocating for fair access to town resources, particularly when it comes to public safety coverage, infrastructure improvements, and town services. Decisions made at Town Meeting should reflect the needs of all precincts, including Precinct 8. Traffic and neighborhood safety are also important at the local level. I would prioritize supporting measures that improve roadway safety, reduce congestion near residential areas, and address concerns brought forward by residents. E-bike safety on the bike path is also a big concern and needs to be continuously monitored.

Additionally, quality of life investments such as maintaining public spaces, supporting local initiatives, and ensuring thoughtful development are key to keeping Precinct 8 a desirable place to live.

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.

William E. Cross III: I am currently not working on anything or with anyone at this time. In closing there has been a lot of discussions around town concerning budgets. I have faith in Town Manager Scott Crabtree. He has led this town from the brink of receivership to a solid fiscal position. While I don’t think you can make everyone happy it is my hope we can listen to all sides and come to some common ground.

Arthur Grabowski: Yes, several other town meeting members have approached me with articles that if adopted will make Saugus a better community…i.e. professional requirements for employment as our Town Manager, closure of the polluting ash pile at WIN…as well as developing rules and regulations to protect the health and well-being of the residents of Saugus.

Kristi Talagan: Currently, I am not working on any articles to bring forth. Most importantly, I see my role as maintaining open communication with residents, bringing their concerns forward, and ensuring they understand how Town Meeting decisions impact them directly.