Two Top priority projects for 2024

Selectmen say the town will need to decide whether to invest in a third fire station and how to pay its share for the new Voke school

By Mark E. Vogler

Selectmen are unanimous in their view that the town needs a third fire station on the west side of town and have declared it one of their top priorities as they begin the new year.

They have also identified another key project: how to pay the town’s share for the new Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School. The town accounts for about 13 percent of the school’s enrollment – third highest among the dozen communities in the vocational school district. Some estimates have Saugus paying as much as $4 million a year on the new Voke school. Voters will ultimately decide this year whether to invest in a third fire station and how to fund their mandatory share of the new Voke school project.

The current board, which is at the beginning of its fifth year together after getting elected to a third consecutive two-year term last November, hasn’t met yet to establish its 2024 goals. But in their responses to a year-ending “Advocate Asks” regarding their top priorities, the fire station and funding the Voke school project were at the top of their respective lists.

“Saugus has two major opportunities that will require investments,” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta noted. “First is the new Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School. Although we have established a special stabilization fund for this project, and Town Meeting has appropriated funds to such, we are now beginning to see dramatic increases in our share of this investment,” Panetta said.

“Second is the investment in a third fire station on the west side of town. The cost of construction as well as any additional operating costs cannot be absorbed in our current or future operational budget. It will be important for both elected and appointed officials to communicate to the public, and obtain town wide support for these important projects,” she said.

Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini emphasized his fiscal concerns about the two projects:

– On the third fire station: “Gather results of the feasibility study and move the project forward by establishing a comprehensive communication plan to make sure our residents are informed on the financial impact the borrowings will have on our residents so we can gather the support necessary to ensure it passes.”

– On the new Voke school: “Assess the most current financial impact of the new vocational school project on Saugus and inform residents how it will impact their taxes. The cost of the project continues to increase dramatically so the impact needs to reflect the most accurate cost to complete.”

Selectman Michael Serino noted that the projected price tag for Saugus on the new Voke school could be significant. “The school is projected to increase its student enrollment capacity from 1,200 to 1,600 students a year,” Serino said.

“Saugus’s financial portion, which includes construction costs and increased student enrollment is estimated at around 4 million dollars a year,” he said.

He had the proposed new third fire station on the west side of Route One as second on his list of priorities. He noted that a feasibility study – which Town Meeting authorized $400,000 for last year – is being done for this project.

“My top priority for the next two years is the long overdue West-Side Fire Station,” Selectman Corinne Riley said.

Selectman Anthony Cogliano also put the building of the west side fire station at the top of his list of 2024 goals.

Revitalization of Cliftondale prevails as a priority

Revitalization of Cliftondale continues to be a top priority for a majority of the board members. “I will also be pushing the rezoning of Cliftondale Square again this year,” Cogliano said.

Selectman Riley identified the efforts to rezone and revitalize Cliftondale Square as “the top story of 2023.”

“While this effort failed to achieve the 2/3 supermajority required, it was passed by a 28-13 majority of Town Meeting voters, indicating a clear appetite for revitalization in Cliftondale,” Riley said.

Riley declared economic development and safety improvements in Cliftondale Square as one of her top priorities. “Traffic and pedestrian issues are well-known, and while some preliminary work has been done, it’s time to see some progress on the ground and in the vacant storefronts,” Riley said.

Selectman Serino stressed “a municipal parking lot for our business community in Cliftondale square is a priority.”

“The town has recently purchased two properties for this project,” he said.

A commitment to parks and playgrounds

Also high on the Board of Selectmen’s list this year is upgrading the town’s parks and playgrounds. “The Golden Hills Playground is a safety hazard and needs a complete replacement,” Selectman Riley said.

“Town Meeting authorized $2M funding for playground investment this Spring, and I’d like to see the Golden Hills Playground project fast-tracked,” she said.

Selectman Cicolini said he would like to see “continued investment in fully inclusive parks and playgrounds ($2 million appropriated) with emphasis on Golden Hills which is in dire need of a full renovation.”

Board of Selectmen Chair Panetta stressed that “Parks and playgrounds are always a priority with the Board.”