Countdown Till Town Meeting

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 two of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 3. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting members from Precinct 4

Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2024 Town Meeting session?

Leonard Ferrari

  As a newly elected town meeting member I feel that the top priority for the town is to continue to improve Saugus financially. Saugus has made some progress in recent years and it shows in our strong bond rating. I believe it’s also important that we use those finances to improve the town’s infrastructure, schools and upgrade our parks, especially Stocker, Stackpole and Anna Parker.

The vacant commercial spaces and vacant school areas are a concern for me as well. I would like to see these properties be put to use and generate income for the town. It would be beneficial to the town to gain tax revenue from these properties. We need to decide what is the best use for these vacant properties.

The town also needs to address the housing situation in reference to the MBTA communities requirement for Multi-Family zoning. I agree with Mark J. Bell, a fellow town meeting member, who said that the town needs a plan to comply and educate the residents about the plan. It needs to be addressed now for the future of Saugus.

Mark Sacco

  The priority is building or advocating for more hang out spots, developing with the surrounding residents’ consideration in mind – like the Ballard gardens – and less of the commercialization of our town – like what was presented at last year’s town meeting (i.e. Cliftondale zoning article) – we live in a busy world with route one running right down the middle of us and it is vital for Saugus as a community to hang onto its roots, “respect what we have” and remain a town. We can achieve a lot with more community togetherness/participation – we do not need to change our government structure to a city form (we can make amendments to what we see fit for today), and this is why I believe more communitarianism is a vital priority of the town’s future – to steer clear of becoming another Everett/Malden, while holding onto our qualities of remaining a righteous suburban town right outside of Boston.

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?

Leonard Ferrari

  My priority for my residents and all of the residents of Saugus is to be a “voice” for the people. I am also here to listen to the concerns of my precinct and all the residents of Saugus. In the past Precinct 3 lacked proper representation, communication and the support from previous town meeting members. My goal is to listen to my constituents and try to solve any concerns they might have. I know there are a number of infrastructure or safety issues that were brought to my attention during the election campaign. I intend to do what I can to resolve these issues for the residents.

Mark Sacco

  I would say something similar to the basis of my campaign, to have more representation at Town Meeting.

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.

Leonard Ferrari

  At this time I am trying to learn as much as possible about the town meeting member process. The informational meetings held once a month are very informative and helpful to understand the process of town government. I am open to work with the other town meeting members and I believe we need to work together for the residents of Saugus.

Mark Sacco

  No. Nothing for this year’s Town Meeting.

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

Leonard Ferrari

  Just excited to keep learning, work with other town meeting members and make things better for the residents of Saugus. It’s going to be great to work together. If any Saugus resident of precinct 3 or any resident of the town needs to contact me about any town issue or concern please email me at le********@***oo.com or call 781-608-5008.

Mark Sacco

  I would hope that the residents would understand that town meeting member is a volunteered position, we do this to help be part of productivity that helps benefit our community. If the residents need to reach their town meeting member, they should reach out directly with any issues or concerns – our contacts are shared to the public – we are here to represent our constituents. (Precinct 3 residents can reach Town Meeting Member Mark Sacco at 617-461-1324 or email him at ma*********@***il.com)