Town Election 2025 – Three Candidates, One Seat: Saugus Housing Authority Choice Heads to Voters

By Nivia Wilson

Saugus voters will go to the polls Tuesday to choose a new Housing Authority member to fill a seat on a five-person board that oversees public housing for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income families. The race took shape more than a month ago when longtime Housing Authority member William “Bill” Stewart – a fixture in town government for more than 50 years – pulled nomination papers but ultimately did not file them. His surprise move left three candidates vying for the position: John George Chipouras, a veteran town meeting member from precinct 7; Kristi A. Talagan, a town meeting member from precinct 8; and Darleen Marie L’Heureux, a six-year resident of Laurel Towers.

Chipouras, a former Blue Cross Blue Shield systems manager, says his penchant for transparency and history of following through on issues qualifies him for a seat on the Housing Authority. “I’m not afraid to talk to people,” he said, “and I’m not afraid for them to come to me and ask me things.” Chipouras said he’d like to demystify the waitlist system for potential tenants.

“If I do something, I’m going to go all in,” he said, describing himself as personable but persistent. “People come to me and automatically feel like I’m easy to talk to, and I’m going to dig in.” Chipouras said resident concerns should be handled fairly and without favoritism.

He seeks a sixth two-year term to his Precinct 7 Town Meeting seat. He served previously as a member of the Saugus Playground Commission and the Saugus Retirement Board.

Talagan described herself as someone who understands the inner workings of government agencies, including proper organizational oversight and the establishment of a mediation process to resolve disputes. “As an administrator, I worked with policies and procedures that are similar to the Housing Authority’s rules and regulations,” she said. “I’ve done compliance curricula for the state of Massachusetts.” She noted that her 25 years in Chelsea included work with homeless and disabled populations. She is also certified to teach special education classes.

Talagan favors tracking maintenance response times, reinforcing safety measures, and providing clearer tenant updates. “There is definitely a need for increased, consistent communication with tenants,” Talagan said.

She has also expressed concerns about the number of tenant members on the board, which could increase after the election. Talagan said a “fresh set of eyes” on the governing board could improve balance and transparency.

L’Heureux says living in Authority housing gives her firsthand insight into residents’ daily challenges. She helped distribute food during the pandemic and later organized arts-and-crafts activities, walks, and movie nights to help her neighbors combat feelings of isolation. “I’m a people person,” she said. “If I tell you I’m going to do something, I’ll do it.”

She said the city needs to increase funding for repairs and upgrades, such as new roofs, elevators and walk-in showers. “The people who live here have serious needs,” L’Heureux said. “I want to help them in any way I can.”

She described herself as a listener: “I’m not one to jump into arguments, I like to hear everyone’s side.”

The Housing Authority board sets policy, votes on budgets and projects, enforces eligibility rules, and oversees services across its developments. One seat is reserved for a tenant under state law. The Authority hired Joseph A. Hart as executive director in August.

Four years ago, Stewart won reelection with 1,430 votes. Talagan finished second with 1,046, ahead of current chair John Cannon at 672. Talagan is running this year while also seeking election to her first two-year term on Town Meeting in Precinct 8.

Talagan, who narrowly missed getting elected to a Precinct 8 Town Meeting seat in the 2023 election (she lost by four votes to fifth-place finisher Arthur Grabowski), served the last six months of Veteran Town Meeting member Tom Traverse’s term after he moved to a new home in Precinct 1 this past spring.

L’Heureux has said in her announcement that Stewart encouraged her to run, though he has not publicly endorsed a candidate. The winner will serve a four-year term.

  Nivia Wilson is a student journalist in the Boston University Newsroom program.