What’s Next at Town Meeting?

The Town Moderator said he plans to take up warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting next week

By Mark E. Vogler

Town Moderator Stephen N. Doherty said that the Finance Committee has reviewed enough financial articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant to justify holding an annual session next week. Members will convene at 7:30 p.m. in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall

The Finance Committee had made recommendations on 11 warrant articles that are ready to be considered by members. This includes four enrichment programing fund articles totaling $525,000 requested by Saugus Superintendent of Schools Michael Hashem.

The Finance Committee has also recommended:

• An appropriation of $366,300 for the purpose of funding the operating budget of the PEG Access studio/facility in Saugus
• An appropriation of $150,000 for the purpose of repairing and replacing town guardrails

Doherty said in an interview this week that members would probably convene for their third Special Town Meeting, which is set for May 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall. That entire meeting is expected to be devoted to consideration of a warrant article to amend the town’s Zoning Bylaws to add an MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay District (MCMOD). The Planning Board was expected to review that article at its May 15 meeting and offer its recommendation.

At Monday’s session, Town Meeting members welcomed back longtime Finance Committee Chair Kenneth DePatto, who was unable to participate at last year’s Town Meeting sessions. “It feels really great being in front of you people again after a long absence,” DePatto told the audience.

DePatto praised Finance Committee Vice Chair George DeDomenico, who stepped in for him while he was recuperating from surgery and cancer treatments. He also thanked Finance Committee Member Marc Magliozzi, who assisted DeDomenico during DePatto’s absence.

Every warrant article with a financial implication must be reviewed by the Finance Committee before it can be considered by the Annual Town Meeting.