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Editor’s Note: The 2024 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 6. As a special service to our readers and the registered voters of Saugus, we will reach out to the 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 2.
Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2024 Town Meeting session?
Robert Camuso Sr.
First I want to thank all the residents in Precinct 2 for reelecting me to keep being a voice for them at town meeting.
It’s tough to say there’s just one singular priority upcoming in Saugus that needs to be addressed but this one I think needs to be more addressed in Saugus. The Northeast regional Vocational school project bill is going to put our finances in my opinion in trouble. Saugus needs to find money(2+ million at least a year more) just to pay this thirty year cost to Saugus.
I’m hoping to start hearing ideas on how we’re going to fund this cost so we know what to expect and if it’s going to impact Saugus’s operations and the upcoming future stability of our town .
Matthew Parlante
First and foremost, ensuring the effective allocation of our Town’s resources is the most important task at hand. As a newly elected Member, my commitment lies in gaining insight into the operational realities of our Town and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are utilized efficiently. This entails redirecting resources to areas of pressing need while avoiding wasteful spending. Two key areas requiring immediate attention are our schools and commercial tax revenue generation.
I’ve noted with concern the insufficient prioritization of our school system’s needs. We are a proud town yet face inner city issues in our schools. Despite Saugus’ investment in a brand-new middle and high school, the anticipated rise in enrollment has not materialized, signaling a lack of confidence among parents. Prioritizing education is essential to ensuring that families view our schools as safe and enriching environments for their children, thereby fostering long-term community stability and growth of our Town overall.
Generating new commercial tax revenue is paramount to alleviate the burden on our residents. Despite claims of a low tax rate, our assessments and property taxes continue to rise, putting the onus back on us. Shockingly, 37% of our commercial buildings lie vacant—a circumstance that demands strategic intervention.
Peter A. Rossetti Jr.
Top priorities for the town with Town Meeting. Saugus School System. We need to fund it better. The complaint is that money is going to the VOC school for the new building and can’t be spent for the Town system. In fact the amount going to the school is about the same as last year, including the amount for the Bond for the new school, however Saugus is down on the number of students this year, about 18 total. That put us in 4th place with the number of students, behind Revere, Chelsea and Malden, however it keeps the payment due in the same range this year as last year, including a sizable bond payment. Those extra funds that have been allocated for Voc School costs could be used in the Saugus system. A School resource officer would be a good use of the extra available funds.
A look at housing zoning would also be a high priority this year. The potential revitalization of Cliftondale is a consideration. We still have an MBTA mandate for housing to meet and the proposed vote to revitalize Cliftondale , which narrowly did not succeed due to a percentage requirement, but had a majority, would be a strong issue to consider. Saugus does need affordable housing for its existing citizens, both seniors moving out of large homes and children of existing citizens who want to live in Saugus. There is a shortage of affordable housing both for rentals and for purchasing. We frequently see requests for “in-law” apartments at the Zoning Board, because of a shortage of housing.
Question Two: What do you consider the top priority for residents in your precinct as you prepare for the opening of the 2024 Town Meeting session?
Robert Camuso Sr.
One of my concerns in Precinct 2 I’ve been trying to stay a step ahead on is any development of the Caddy farm property & any potential impact to our neighborhood streets. Right now it’s quiet but I understand it’s Private property and yes eventually something is going to be built there. Cliftondale is already overwhelmed with traffic and congestion. Working with the Caddy Farm property owners to not use our small side streets to access the property is a start to get what we want & hopefully satisfies their wants.
The Cliftondale rotary still needs a better solution, a raised road surface would have been a better solution as Melrose has at Howard St & Green St rotary. I do believe that to be a better answer.
Anna Parker is a large park in our Precinct. I would like to see more improvements to the playground and possibly town events being held there to better utilize the open space.
I would like more residents’ input/ideas on what they would like to see done in Precinct two to improve the community.
Jeanette E. Meredith
I am extremely humbled and honored that the residents of precinct 2 entrusted me to represent our interest and the priorities of the Town as one of their Town Meeting members.
As a lifelong resident of the area, the revitalization of Cliftondale Square remains a top priority for me.
Working together we can continue the progress made thus far through continued support of funding for studies, grant opportunities, purchasing of properties, planning and development of parking and reconfiguration of traffic flows to advance and attract new businesses and foot traffic back to Cliftondale Square. I believe the residents have been clear that revitalization needs to preserve the integrity of the neighborhoods and protect the resident’s quality of life that are directly affected by overdevelopment and traffic congestion.
Matthew Parlante
The top priorities for residents in Precinct 2 revolve around preserving our community’s character and enhancing safety measures.
There is a strong desire to maintain the integrity of our neighborhood by keeping new development and building projects away from Precinct 2. This is crucial to safeguarding cherished landmarks like Anna Parker Park and revitalizing the unique atmosphere of Cliftondale Square.
Safety concerns also weigh heavily on the minds of residents. Improving safety on our roadways and bike paths is paramount, particularly in and around Cliftondale Square. Measures to encourage drivers to slow down and ensure safe pedestrian crossings are essential and a priority for me.
Furthermore, there is a shared aspiration to attract more community-based businesses to our area. By fostering a supportive environment for local businesses, we can cultivate a vibrant neighborhood that residents are proud to call home. Encouraging business growth and community engagement will contribute to the long-term sustainability and desirability of Precinct 2.
Peter A. Rossetti Jr.
It is important to remember that Town Meeting encompasses the entire town and not just a specific precinct. We all have to work together for the betterment of the entire town. Just because an issue may not be located in a specific precinct, doesn’t mean that the Town Meeting members from another precinct can’t or won’t support that issue. We all have to work together for the benefit of Saugus. I try to work with members from my precinct and other precincts for issues that will benefit all. This is an example of how we support each other’s precincts, however no action on the park has been taken to date.
A few years ago I had suggested a park on top of Baker Hill at the old water tower site. It doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor, however it could be something the community could really use since the closest other park is a distance away, across major roads and at least 190 feet downhill from the area. It was supported by the Town Meeting members from that precinct and others.
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.
Robert Camuso Sr.
I’m always open to help, supporting any great opportunities or ideas that will better our town of Saugus with any Town meeting colleague.
Matthew Parlante
For this year’s Town Meeting, I am actively involved in proposing articles aimed at enhancing our local governance and community engagement. Here are the initiatives I will be introducing:
Formation of a Charter Review Committee: The first article seeks to establish a Charter Review Committee tasked with evaluating our town’s current charter and identifying opportunities for updates that benefit all of our residents. Unlike the previous Charter Commission, this review process does not entail altering our form of government, alleviating concerns regarding potential Town vs. City debates. Our charter is outdated and needs revision to better serve the needs of modern-day Saugus, while also anticipating future challenges. Moreover, there’s a critical need to address the disproportionately low number of Town Meeting Members compared to other municipalities in the state. With only 50 members, and a significant portion tied to town employment or other committees, broader representation is essential to mitigate conflicts of interest and ensure fair decision-making.
Establishment of a Community Outreach Committee: The second article proposes the formation of a “Community Outreach Committee” aimed at fostering greater engagement in local government. The committee’s primary objectives include educating residents about our form of government, available resources, and facilitating more community-based events to cultivate a sense of belonging and civic pride. By encouraging broader participation, especially among our youth, we aspire to invigorate our Town’s spirit and encourage active involvement in shaping its future.
Both initiatives underscore my commitment to transparent and inclusive governance, where the voices and interests of all residents are heard and valued. Through collaborative efforts and proactive measures, I aim to strengthen Saugus’s democratic foundations and foster a vibrant, engaged community.
Question Four: Please feel free to share any other views about the upcoming Town Meeting.
Robert Camuso Sr.
Saugus needs more open Green Space – as everyone can see we’re losing open parcels to developers everywhere around town. I would like to see a program put into place to buy & preserve open green space in Saugus before it’s gone forever.
The empty schools are a concern. I would like to see them turned into useful areas for all of Saugus residents to use not specific groups. Westside fire station is a hot topic – also the needs of this town should outweigh any wants. Residents need to get more involved. It’s only going to better our chances to overcome the situations & issues we are faced with. Voting is a good start – there’s 28,000-plus Saugus residents but only 4,000 to 5,000 vote.
Jeanette E. Meredith
As a new Town Meeting member I am listening, learning, asking questions, and looking forward to working with my fellow town meeting members and the Town Manager on improving the things that are important to our residents and our Town of Saugus.
Matthew Parlante
I’m excited about the upcoming Town Meeting. Our form of government is designed to empower residents, ensuring they have a direct say through their Precinct representatives in critical matters such as the budget, by-laws, and zoning regulations. I am confident that we will come together to prioritize the interests of the residents above all else. As a representative of Precinct 2, I am dedicated to keeping my residents informed about important decisions and seeking their input to ensure that their voices are heard and valued. By fostering open communication and collaboration, we can work together to serve the best interests of our Town and its residents. I look forward to contributing to this process and advocating for positive change in our community.
Peter A. Rossetti Jr.
I think the upcoming Town meeting will be very interesting with the new members. Many of them seem interested in bettering the Town and becoming more involved in improving the Town. I am looking forward to it.
