Countdown Till Saugus Town Meeting

Editor’s Note: The 2025 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 5. 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 1. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 2. The 2025 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 2025 Town Meeting session?

Mark J. Bell: First, I still believe the main priority for Saugus is having a third fire station on the west side of Saugus. The feasibility study was approved by Town Meeting. Myself, as well as the residents of that area, look forward to the results of the study and hope a new fire station gets done. Second priority would be having a meeting or update from the Town regarding the future of the offline schools. As a parent, and a youth coach that sees how crowded gym time can be, it can be frustrating watching the old schools just sit there empty. I understand it will cost money to get the schools back online but starting a discussion about ideas and time frames would be a great idea for the town. Third, and this might just be a pet peeve of mine, I’d love to see the town adopt a text notification system and/or official social media account for residents. So many people now receive their information from their phone and social media. It would be great to have a text notification system and official Saugus social media account providing up to date information about school closings, parking bans, WIN issues, town emergencies, Route 1 accidents, etc.

Stacey Herman-Dorant: Continuing to maintain our fiscal stability while focusing on positive growth in approving the Town budget is a priority. Positive growth includes: safe and prosperous educational environments; continuing the beautification of Saugus by improving sidewalks and green space; smart growth and improving our recreational facilities. Additionally, after attending nearly every meeting of the Ash Landfill Closure Committee, it is even more apparent that we need to push forward the efforts of this committee and protect the health of our community.

Sue Palomba: As we prepare for the 2025 Town Meeting, I believe the top priority for Saugus should be fiscal responsibility and sustainable development. Ensuring that we allocate resources effectively while maintaining the town’s character and infrastructure is essential. Additionally, addressing public safety, education, and town services remains a key focus.

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: As far as Precinct 1 residents, I hear nothing more from residents than Stackpole Playground. Myself, as well as my current Precinct 1 colleagues, have and will continue to fight for a new playground at Stackpole. It really is a safety hazard. Another major concern for residents is the preservation of Prankers Pond. Due to the new Saugus Ridge housing development right behind Prankers, it’s important that no one is cutting through residents’ private property and making a footpath to Prankers. It is also important that what is left of Prankers Pond is kept clean, safe, and untouched from any new development. Precinct residents also are concerned about the many areas of sidewalk in Precinct 1 that need to be repaired.

Stacey Herman-Dorant: The upgrade of the Stackpole Field playground is a top priority as the current playground is unsafe and therefore under-utilized. Precinct 1 deserves an upgraded playground that our family and friends can gather with their children.

Sue Palomba: A key priority for Precinct 1 is improving Stackpole Field, a rundown park that is set to be redone. I recently visited Piers Park in East Boston, which has new playgrounds designed for specific age groups (2-5 years, 5-9 years, and 9-15 years), outdoor exercise equipment, and a gazebo with seating for people to gather. Something similar would be a great improvement for our community. Other important concerns include road conditions, pedestrian safety, and making sure town services meet residents’ needs.

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: I am not working on anything for Town Meeting, at least at the moment, in regard to articles. It’s still travel and town basketball season!

Stacey Herman-Dorant: While I continue to outreach to fellow Town Meeting members, I do not have a particular article that I will be introducing. I look forward to seeing the articles submitted and carefully weighing how they will impact our Town.

Over the next year, I’d like to work with Town administrators, and other Town Meeting Members, to look at the feasibility of requiring trash containers to have secured lids. On trash day, especially after strong winds and extreme weather, the streets are littered with debris. Additionally, open bins invite wildlife and rodents that cause health concerns in our community.

Sue Palomba: At this time, I am engaged in discussions with fellow Town Meeting members and community leaders regarding potential articles for consideration. While I am reviewing key issues that impact both Precinct 1 and the town as a whole, I am always open to collaborating on initiatives that benefit residents. If I propose or support any articles, my goal is to advocate for policies that enhance quality of life and ensure responsible governance.

Question Four: Please feel free to share any other views about the upcoming Town Meeting.

Mark J. Bell: I am always looking forward to Town Meeting and encourage those in Precinct 1, and any other resident of Saugus, to please contact myself and your Town Meeting members about how you would like us to vote on upcoming articles. Remember, we represent you, not ourselves. I also hope, with local elections coming up, that Saugus parents, especially those with young kids, consider throwing their hat in the ring come election time. So many decisions we vote on during Town Meeting impact Saugus and younger generations for years to come. Residents with young children should consider running for Town Meeting or another board this fall.

Stacey Herman-Dorant: I look forward to our upcoming meetings starting in May. We will be voting on important issues that affect our Town’s future, and I take those seriously and welcome your input. I can be reached at st****************@gm***.com

Sue Palomba: The Town Meeting is a critical platform for representing residents’ voices and shaping the future of Saugus. Transparency, open dialogue, and informed decision-making will be key as we navigate this year’s agenda. I encourage residents to stay engaged, share their concerns, and participate in the legislative process.

Thank you again for including me in this series. I look forward to a productive 2025 Town Meeting.