Town Meeting 2026

Members complete final session in just under 30 minutes, passing a budget on a unanimous vote without dissent while making a major investment to improve education

By Mark E. Vogler

Town Moderator Stephen Doherty said he was concerned that Monday night “might be a long one” when he looked out at the audience in the Town Hall auditorium before the fourth and final session of this year’s Annual Town Meeting. A large group of advocates for Saugus Public Schools had assembled for consideration of the town budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year that begins on July 1. A major item was a huge increase of nearly $3 million in School Department spending. People were poised to speak, if necessary, to argue for more money for Saugus Public Schools.

“I was concerned it was going to be a long night,” Doherty said later.

“But they were here to support and celebrate the actions they had achieved,” he said.

Doherty was referring to the public campaign involving parents, schoolteachers and a group of new Town Meeting members to increase educational spending this year. Their efforts succeeded, as Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree in late April announced his decision to increase his initial budget recommendation for Saugus Public Schools by $1.8 million. He decided to support the request of Schools Superintendent Michael Hashem to increase current school spending by $2.8 million. The Finance Committee voted to recommend the full amount.

The town’s Fiscal 2027 operating budget of $126.4 million – including $37.6 million for the School Department – passed by a unanimous 47-0 roll call vote on Monday night in less than a half hour, and without dissent. Nobody from the audience or from the 50-member legislative chamber spoke for or against any item in the budget. The audience erupted in applause after the budget was approved, with Town Meeting members who lobbied for an increase in school spending and pro-education advocates congratulated each other.

“I’ve been doing this for 14 years now and I don’t remember a budget passing as quickly,” Doherty told The Saugus Advocate later.

“We spent a lot of money this year,” the moderator continued.

“And I think going forward, there’s going to be an expectation of results. People are going to want to see improvements in our school system,” he said.

A Fire Department show of force

While the mood was visibly upbeat and positive in the second floor auditorium after the final session of this year’s Annual Town Meeting, there was also some concern expressed for the town’s fiscal future.

There was a strong turnout of members of Saugus Firefighters Local 1003, about two dozen firefighters, who were dressed in red t-shirts. Members stood in the back of the auditorium and on both sides. Saugus Fire Capt. William E. Cross III, who is also a Precinct 8 Town Meeting member, wore a red t-shirt, too. He said the firefighters union members were there to demonstrate support for the Fire Department with a cautious outlook for the future.

“Definitely, there’s a concern,” Cross said in an interview later. “There’s a concern if we keep on dipping into our free cash. We’re concerned about how things are going to be three years from now,” Cross said.

Cross recalled the challenging days when budget cuts and fiscal problems forced the closure of the Essex Street Fire Station. “I remember those days. By 2004, we started spending money we didn’t have. In 2008, we had to close the Essex Street Fire Station,” Cross said.

“Under Town Manager Scott Crabtree, we’ve come a long way since then. We’re still not there yet. But under Crabtree, we’re 100 times better,” he said.

Cross said he had no doubts that a substantial increase in school spending was passing this year. “There was just too much momentum,” Cross said.

“And if the test scores go up, that’s great. I want the schools to do well. I’m rooting for Saugus,” he said.

Joining the rank-and-file firefighters at Monday’s night session were Fire Chief Michael Newbury and Deputy Chief Thomas D’Eon Jr.

A 2.5 percent water rate hike

Among the five final articles to be considered Monday night was a 2.5 percent increase in the water rates for Fiscal Year 2027. The Finance Committee recommended adoption of the lesser of three options presented in a report by the town’s longtime consultant, The Abrahams Group LLC. Under the plan approved by Town Meeting, the average residential user would pay $610 a year, an increase of $14 in their annual water bill. The average commercial user would pay $5,414 a year, a $132 hike.

Town Meeting members voted by an overwhelming voice vote in support of the water rate hike. Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo was the only member expressing opposition.

Town Meeting has approved six percent increases in the water rate in three of the previous four fiscal years. Members had passed a five percent increase for Fiscal Year 2024. This year, concerns over inaccurate water meter readings leading to excessive water bills and the installation of new water meters influenced the Board of Selectmen’s decision to keep sewer rates the same. With uncertainty over the impact of new water meters on user costs, selectmen unanimously approved a rare “zero percent increase” for the first time in many years.

Well-attended sessions

Members’ attendance at Town Meeting has surfaced as a major issue during recent town elections. Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Mark Panetta was the lone member missing the fourth session Monday night. This year’s Town Meeting – which includes 15 new members – posted a 97 percent attendance record over the four nights. Forty-four of the 50 Town Meeting members had perfect attendance. Six members missed one meeting. All 15 newcomers attended every meeting.