Election 2025 – Saugus voters were satisfied with the four incumbent selectmen who sought another term at Town Hall

By Mark E. Vogler

At her farewell meeting last month, outgoing Selectman Corinne Riley told her four fellow colleagues, “You all deserved to be reelected.” Riley showed she had great respect for the four selectmen she had served with for three two-year terms before deciding not to run for reelection.

Saugus voters agreed with Riley and voted in Tuesday’s town election to have Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta and Selectman Anthony Cogliano, Jeffrey Cicolini and Michael Serino serve at least two more years together. Precinct 7 Town Meeting Member Frank Federico, who became the first candidate to declare his campaign for selectman in June, finished a strong fourth in the race with 1,916 votes – 370 votes ahead of Selectman Serino, who grabbed the final spot.

Panetta and Cogliano – the town’s most prolific vote-getters over the past decade in Board of Selectmen elections – drew the two top spots, with 2,155 and 2,100 votes respectively. This was the second consecutive election that Panetta led the field of candidates, and she was expected to retain the chair’s seat when the new board held its brief organizational session Wednesday (Nov. 5) night. Cogliano served previously for four years as chair after leading the field in the 2019 and 2021 elections. As the runner-up this year, he was expected to be approved by his colleagues as the next vice-chair.

Cicolini received 2,036 votes in finishing third.

Herman-Dorant ran impressive first townwide race

Finishing a strong sixth in the race was Precinct 1 Town Meeting member Stacey Herman-Dorant, with 1,423 votes. She was also reelected to a second term on Town Meeting.

Jennifer D’Eon, a former Saugus selectman, took seventh place with 1,391 votes, followed by outgoing School Committee Chair Vincent Seriono with 1,313 votes and two-time Selectman candidate Sandro Pansini Souza with 858 votes.

“I’m thrilled to be back again. This will be my final term without question,” said Cogliano, who finished first in three precincts (7, 9, 10) and tied for first in another precinct (3) with Cicolini. Panetta topped the field of candidates in five precincts (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8).

“I’m happy for everyone that got elected and disappointed for those who weren’t successful. Tonight belonged to Frank Federico. He worked his ass off and was rewarded for it,” Cogliano said. “I’m proud of his accomplishment and proud to call him my friend.”

When reached for comment, Federico reacted with shock over how well he had done in a first-time bid for a selectman seat and only the second time he had run for public office in Saugus. He won a Town Meeting seat in Precinct 7 two years ago, finishing as the top vote-getter in his precinct. He was reelected this year, but will have to relinquish the seat because the Town Charter doesn’t allow selectmen to hold any additional townwide seat. “I need a moment to gather my thoughts and get a little rest,” Federico told The Saugus Advocate Tuesday night.

“I’ll get something for you. But it still hasn’t set in yet. I’m in awe,” he said.

Federico reached out to The Saugus Advocate the morning after the election to clarify his comments. “Sorry, last night I was mentally exhausted. I left nothing on the table during this race!” Federico said.

“I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to work alongside such an experienced and dedicated Board of Selectmen. Everyone ran a phenomenal race with the highest regard for civility and respect. Each candidate worked incredibly hard throughout their campaign, and I’m truly looking forward to collaborating with my fellow Selectmen and our Town Manager,” Federico said in a statement to The Saugus Advocate. “I’m optimistic that the future of Saugus is very bright, and I can’t wait to get to work for our community!”

Cicolini is encouraged about the future

Like Cogliano, Cicolini had said publicly several times during the campaign that he didn’t plan to run again if elected. But after winning another two-year term on Tuesday, Cicolini remarked, “It is way too early for me to think about that.”

He spoke optimistically about his outlook for the next two years. “First I would like to say thank you to my family and friends who stood by me and supported me throughout my entire campaign. I would also like to thank everyone who voted for me and showed their continued faith and confidence in me to serve as one of their 5 Selectmen,” Cicolini said.

“I am excited to get back to work and look forward to working with each of my fellow board members,” he said.

“Also, to every person who put their name on the ballot, elected or not, you are all winners for stepping up and putting your name on the ballot. Saugus pride is alive and well in our town and we have so many newly elected members to every board and committee which is very encouraging!!”

Many political observers believe that the entire Board of Selectmen would have been reelected again – for a fourth two-year term – had Riley decided to seek another term. But she is confident that her four former Board of Selectmen colleagues will carry on without her – and with Federico – the first-time candidate who filled the vacant seat.

“I want to congratulate my fellow Selectmen on their bid for reelection and to Frank Federico for rounding off an impressive group of people to serve together for our town,” Riley said.

“I know we had goals and objectives, and I hope they continue to address and complete the ones still on the list that were in the works, because I feel they are still important for the residents,” she said. “However, they are a new group and I will be interested in what their goals and objectives might be. A special congratulations to Frank, he worked hard and I love seeing a person that is young bringing his viewpoints to the Board.”