Town Meeting 2026

Members will consider two articles to create a Charter Review Committee when their annual meeting convenes May 4

By Mark E. Vogler

Three years ago, Selectmen Anthony Cogliano and Michael Serino shared differing views on a controversial question that would have created a nine member Charter Commission which would have studied possible revisions of the Town Charter. Cogliano led the charge on a petition drive motivated by a desire to change the town’s form of government. He initially suggested that Saugus consider switching to a city with a mayoral form of government or having an elected town manager if Saugus didn’t want to turn into a city. Serino had misgivings about creating the Charter Commission, worrying that it would strip away Saugus’ hometown government feel and character.

Ballot Question One lost by just 193 votes in a contentious and polarizing political campaign.

But some of the same questions about the future of Saugus town government could resurface in future months if this year’s Annual Town Meeting approves Article 37 – a proposal that’s been crafted and authored by Cogliano and Serino to establish a Town Meeting Charter Review Committee.

“This is about as bipartisan as you can get in Saugus,” Cogliano said of his collaboration with Serino on a proposal for a 13-member panel to review the existing Town Charter and recommend any updates or amendments if needed. The committee would produce a report with any updates or recommendations to be considered at the 2027 Annual Town Meeting.

“I talked to Anthony at a basketball game about it and we decided to give it a try,” Serino said. He noted that a lot of people in town want to see some kind of Town Charter review, as Question One lost by less than 200 votes three years ago.

The committee, if created, would include two selectmen: Cogliano and Serino. There would be 10 Town Meeting members on the panel – one selected by the five members in each of the 10 town precincts. There would also be one School Committee member appointed by the School Committee.

This year’s Annual Town Meeting convenes at 7:30 p.m. on May 4 in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall. There are 46 warrant articles posted on the town website. Many of them involve the town budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year that begins July 1.

In addition to Article 37, Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Matthew Parlante has authored Article 41 – a new section to the Town Bylaws – which would establish a recurring Charter Review Committee every five years, beginning in 2031. The Charter Review Committee, according to Parlante’s proposal, would consist of 11 Town Meeting members selected by a public lottery by those expressing an interest in serving a two-year term.

The committee would present an initial report at the first Annual Town Meeting following its formation. The committee would submit a final report at the second annual Town Meeting following its formation. It would dissolve upon completion of its final report unless the Town Meeting voted to extend its term.

Here are some of the highlights of articles that are expected to draw debate at this year’s Annual Town Meeting.

–Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Peter A. Rossetti Jr. has authored Article 40, a measure to see if the town will establish a committee to study and review the Saugus Town Zoning Bylaws, to see if it’s necessary to have a complete zoning rewrite, using the assistance of a professional zoning consultant, urban planners and legal support. The committee would include five Town Meeting members who request membership from the Town Moderator, the building inspector or a member of the Inspectional services Department, the Fire Chief and representatives of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

–Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Matthew Parlante has authored Article 42, a measure that would create an 11-member Bylaw Review Committee.

–Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ron Wallace has submitted Article 38, a resolution for the Town Manager’s Office to provide more options for the disposal of litter.

–Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Elizabeth Marchese has submitted Article 35, a resolution to encourage the town manager and other municipal officials to take all necessary administrative steps to improve compliance, accountability and public access to records.

–Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Elizabeth Marchese has authored Article 34, a nonbinding resolution regarding a Host Community Agreement with WIN Waste Innovations.

–Article 33, submitted by Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Elizabeth Marchese, would establish new regulations in the town Bylaws regulating the operation of electric bicycles and motorized micromobility devices.

–Article 32, authored by Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Jenna Nuzzo, would require the town manager to prepare a report to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting detailing the costs associated with vacant school buildings owned by the town.

–Article 31, authored by Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Jenna Nuzzo, would establish a Vacant School Facilities Assessment Committee to evaluate vacant school buildings owned by the town.

–Article 30, authored by Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian, would request the Board of Selectmen to develop a policy that would outline procedures for speed tables and other traffic calming devices.