Town Meeting 2025 – Selectmen receive “transparency article” to protect and preserve Saugus playgrounds

By Mark E. Vogler

The Board of Selectmen acknowledged the receipt of an article for a proposed amendment to the Town By-Laws “to Protect and Preserve Saugus Playgrounds Through Governance Transparency and Accountability.” Selectmen, as a formality, accepted the article to be inserted into the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, which is scheduled to convene on May 5.

“The ongoing debate about the proposed Stocker Dog Park at the Stocker playground is not a matter of supporting or opposing the park itself,” Precinct 3 Town Meeting Member Mark V. Sacco Jr. wrote in a letter to The Saugus Advocate this week, explaining the purpose of the article.

“It’s about upholding transparency and ensuring that Saugus residents have continuity in discussions with the administration regarding changes to our public playgrounds. This is about ensuring greater accountability and preserving community involvement in decisions affecting our shared public spaces,” Sacco said.

Sacco noted that “a small group’s ongoing push to establish a dog park at Stocker” began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually was the catalyst for the crafting of the article. At the time, many Precinct 3 residents who live near Stocker were unaware of the issue because their focus was on public health, according to Sacco.

“As the pandemic continued, when the topic of the dog park surfaced, residents began to advocate for what’s best for the community,” he said.

“Many of us oppose the idea of placing a dog park in close proximity to the playground, as it would not only interfere with the one remaining peaceful environment that the community holds dear but also pose an unnecessary risk between potential dog bites and children who frequent the playground. The presence of wildlife and the tranquility of the area are cherished by so many, and the proposed dog park would interfere with that peaceful setting,” Sacco said.

“Moreover, the lack of transparency in the dog park proposal highlights the need for greater continuity in discussions. For example, a full design and assurance letter regarding the dog park was sent to the Stanton Foundation more than a year before the “public” forum. This kind of action underscores the lack of public engagement and accountability, which is why this petition is so important,” he said. “If this doesn’t pass, what does that say about Saugus? What kind of community would resist greater transparency and accountability when it comes to decisions about our neighborhood playgrounds?”

The article submitted to selectmen states the purpose is “to ensure transparency, accountability, and community involvement in decisions affecting public playgrounds.”

These are the provisions of the proposed governance By-Law:

• Preservation of Playgrounds: Public playgrounds cannot be converted for other uses without a two-thirds Town Meeting vote and a public hearing.
• Community Input: Proposals to alter playgrounds must include at least one public hearing to allow for community feedback.
• Transparency Requirements: Any proposal to change the use or management of playgrounds must be publicly available at least 30 days before any vote.
• Oversight Committee: Establish a seven-member Oversight Committee to advise on playground maintenance, review proposed changes, hold public hearings, and ensure compliance with deed restrictions. The committee would comprise three members appointed by the Board of Selectmen, three members selected by Town Meeting members and one member picked from the Parks and Recreation Department. Members would serve two-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms. The selection process would involve public nominations, interviews conducted by the Board of Selectmen and an annual election of a Chairperson by committee members.
• Deed Compliance: The Oversight Committee will ensure all playgrounds with deed restrictions comply with their terms.

“Playgrounds are more than open spaces; they are investments in the well-being and future of our community,” the article states in its conclusion.

“Adopting this by-law will protect these vital resources for future generations by ensuring decisions are made transparently, with accountability and community input.”

The article also noted that “Supporting Documentation,” including the original petition with signatures, is available for review at the Town Clerk’s Office.