Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 Saugus citizens weigh in on Master Plan survey C lose to 600 Saugus residents had filled out the town’s Master Plan/Visioning Survey at press time yesterday — which was also the final day for offering public feedback to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). “As of today, we have 581 completed responses to the Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net survey and 26 views on the YouTube,” MAPC community engagement coordinator Christian Brandt said in an email to The Saugus Advocate. Brandt said in an interview last month that the council was shooting for feedback from about 1,000 town residents on the Master Plan survey. But, recently, he said the council would like to collect about 500 responses. The MAPC is the town’s project consultant for “Saugus United 2035,” the program launched last month to update the town’s Master Plan — that invaluable document that offers a definitive strategy to guide a community through future growth and development. During a Special Town Meeting a year ago, the 50-member body approved a $150,000 appropriation from free cash to fund Article 5 for the upgrading and completion of a townwide Master Plan — something last done in 1988. Selectman Debra Panetta said this week that she requested additional time from MAPC so Saugus residents could weigh on the various aspects of the Master Plan. The council granted an 11-day extension, which ended yesterday (Thursday, Oct. 15). Even though the deadline for participating in the survey has passed, town residents will still have an opportunity for public comment on the plan, according to Panetta. Citizens will still get a chance to comment when the MAPC begins to hold public meetings on the various aspects of the Master Plan, she said. “The results of this survey will be used to form the vision & direction of Saugus over the next 15 years,” Panetta said. “This information will help develop a plan that will be used as a guide for managing future growth and change in Saugus. It creates a framework for future policy decisions. Land use and zoning, housing, economic development, transportation, open space and recreation, arts/historic/cultural services, climate resiliency, community facilities and services, and clean energy and sustainability are all part of the Master Plan,” Panetta said. Selectmen won’t give back foreclosed house to former owner By Mark E. Vogler We Now Offer For Your Eating Pleasure “UBER EATS” Convenient Delivery Service Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Full Menu To Go Open for Takeout for Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Food 381 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere 781-284-5600 $1.55 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 A fter considering advice from legal counsel, a majority of the Board of Selectmen decided overwhelmingly to deny a request to vacate a foreclosure decree from a former Saugus homeowner. “If we knew this individual was moving back to his family home, I’d make the motion (to vacate),” Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini said of Richard Phelan’s interest in getting his house at 4 Biscayne Ave. back. But Cicolini said Phelan’s interest in selling the house instead of living it convinced him to oppose the request. “The town has been on the hook for seven years,” said Cicolini, who along with a majority of the board voted 4 to 1 against it. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano was Phelan’s lone supporter. “I went to high school with him,” Cogliano said of Phelan. “He fell on hard times. I would hate to see that person not get a chance. He’s felt terrible times the last six to eight years,” he said. Finance Director and Treasurer/Collector Wendy Hatch had recommended that the town vacate the foreclosure decree in return for close to $68,000 that was being held in escrow to pay for back taxes and other town costs. Hatch noted that when the town took over the property, “it was in a state of complete disrepair.” She recommended vacating the foreclosure, adding that she didn’t see the town making hundreds of thousands of dollars by selling the house. Cicolini said he disagreed. “The house could be in shambles and it would still be worth $300,000 to $400,000,” he said. Furthermore, the town took on the burden of the house being cleaned out. Selectman Michael Serino said he agreed with Cicolini and opposed giving the house back “especially to somebody who is going to flip it and make the money.” In a legal opinion to the board, Marblehead Attorney David J. Coppola said the town “would be benefiting from the sale with retaining the excess proceeds and generating the one-time revenue, rather than the potential ‘flipper’ that would be taking ownership if the property was redeemed.” He also noted that the foreclosure action has extinguished the outstanding liens on the property, meaning the town had taken ownership “free and clear of any liens.” If the house is sold at a future tax possession sale/auction, all proceeds from the sale would be retained by the town. The money would go into the town’s general fund. The 1962 raised ranch house and land is valued at $426,000, according to records of the town’s Assessors Office. Facebook.com/ advocate.news.ma
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