Countdown Till Saugus Town Meeting

Editor’s Note: The 2025 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 5. As a special service to our readers and the registered voters of Saugus, we are reaching out to all 50 Town Meeting members, focusing on one precinct each week, in the weeks leading up to the start of Town Meeting, asking members about their expectations for the upcoming Town Meeting. This week, we received responses from three of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 3. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 4. The 2025 Annual Town Meeting convenes seven weeks from Monday.

Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2025 Town Meeting session?

Leonard Ferrari, Jr.: I feel that the biggest priority for the town is to keep moving in the right direction. There are plenty of positive things happening around the town like the revitalization of Anna Parker Playground. The Town is doing a good job addressing any infrastructure issues around town.

Mark V. Sacco, Jr.: Saugus desperately needs a charter review to correct the imbalance of power in local government. The lack of meaningful voter participation and the repeated rejection of community-driven initiatives—such as the effort to improve transparency and engagement—show that the current system is designed to suppress, not empower, the voices of residents.

Richard E. Thompson: First and foremost, specifically for the annual Town Meeting would be the budget and funding all the programs in town. I believe the town is in a good place, and in good hands. I think the town should be looking to ensure the police and fire departments have all the resources they need. Another priority the town should focus on is working with the state to further its traffic safety and improving Route One and all the on ramps and off ramps as well.

Question Two: What do you consider the top priority for residents in your precinct (Precinct 3) as you prepare for the opening of the 2025 Town Meeting session?

Leonard Ferrari, Jr.: The big issue currently in Precinct 3 is obviously the pending dog park. The residents of precinct 3 do need to be properly informed and there needs to be complete transparency from all parties involved. My concerns and thoughts on the dog park are, the effect of the construction on the wildlife, flooding issues addressed and what is the cost of the dog park to the town after the dog park is completed? What is the burden on the taxpayers?

The other issue for our precinct is the speeding near Hurd Avenue. We need to install speed bumps like every other Town/City has to deter the abuse of the roads. Flashing signs and police presence is not the solution because it’s NOT working. Winter Street and Hurd Avenue are abused daily.

Mark V. Sacco, Jr.: Residents want representation that actually matters. But as long as Town Meeting is treated as a formality while real decisions are made behind closed doors, their concerns—whether about Stocker Playground, development, or town finances—will continue to be sidelined.

Richard E. Thompson: Getting specific roads paved, sidewalks repaired, and have a source of current information for all the resources, events, and organizations in town. The residents also deserve a clear summary of what is happening in town government for all precincts so residents can stay informed. This should include all boards, committees, and commissions.

Question Three: Are you working independently or in collaboration with other members on articles to be introduced for this year’s Town Meeting? Could you please elaborate? Summarize your article and what you hope to accomplish.

Leonard Ferrari, Jr.: Not currently working with any other members on a specific article but I do speak to plenty of other members to discuss issues and concerns for the residents.

Mark V. Sacco, Jr.: The biggest obstacle in Saugus isn’t whether Town Meeting members collaborate—it’s whether their efforts amount to anything in a system where the Town Manager holds the reins. Until that dynamic changes, passing articles feels like rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship.

Richard E. Thompson: I am not working on any articles and am not working with any other Town Meeting members on articles. I am currently working on a project with the town unrelated to Town Meeting.

Question Four: Please feel free to share any other views about the upcoming Town Meeting.

Leonard Ferrari, Jr.: The same issues going forward for the town. The west side fire station, Town spending especially the school committee. Traffic issues and housing issues. We need to get working on making Saugus a better place for all. I want to make sure we are doing the best we can for the residents of Saugus. If anyone needs to reach out to me about anything, I am glad to speak to you. Le********@ya***.com. Thank you and looking forward to a great Town meeting session.

Mark V. Sacco, Jr.: Given the trajectory of Saugus politics and the continued resistance to real community engagement, my expectations for the 2025 Town Meeting remain low. The issues facing the town go beyond just Town Meeting articles; they stem from a flawed system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, and Town Meeting Members are reduced to little more than spectators in an administrative theater.

Until Saugus acknowledges that its government structure is broken, nothing will fundamentally change. Town Meeting will remain performative, while the decisions that shape our town are made elsewhere. If voters want a real voice, they need to push for a charter review and a shift toward a more accountable, less centralized system. Otherwise, we’ll continue on the path toward becoming Chelsea 2.0.

Richard E. Thompson: Looking forward to another session of Town Meeting. There is a dog park in the works that is in my precinct. I’ve talked to quite a few residents who are excited about the project. Some have told me they’ve been bringing their dogs down to Stocker for quite some time because there is not usually much activity there in the proposed area of the recreation area.

Town Meeting is always interesting. I’ve been involved for about ten years and I’ve seen many members doing what they feel is best for the town. From my experience there are Town Meeting members that will not give you the time of day, and other members that will give you all the time you need. I’ve seen quite a few new members come in ready to change the world and a few that couldn’t bother to attend. At the end of the day, they all deserve credit for volunteering their time to represent their family, neighbors, and citizens of the town.