Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 6, 2023 BOARD | FROM PAGE 1 of dollars in grant money because of our Town Manager. So, when I read in the paper that the Chair wants to change our Town of Saugus to a city, and then he wants to run for Mayor, it is disconcerting,” she said. Selectman Corinne Riley said she needs more time to evaluate Cogliano’s proposal, but said she isn’t satisfied with the town’s current form of government. “The people in Saugus pay every bill, and they have no direct input on the town’s Chief Executive,” Riley said, referring to the town manager. “In my opinion, we’d all be better served by a form of government with direct accountability to the people,” she said. Selectmen Jeffrey Cicolini said he also needs more time to review Cogliano’s proposal. “I feel the residents are hesitant to adopt such a radical change in fear of the unknown and knowing that once it happens there is no turning back,” Cicolini said. Cogliano elaborates on his proposal Cogliano said he plans a $3.85 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 thorough briefing of voters as he proceeds with the plan. “I intend to engage the entire community in the process of looking at what works and what can be improved to make Saugus, our home, the absolute best place to live, work and raise a family,” Cogliano said. “As the town grows and changes, so have the needs of Saugus residents. We need a form of local government more responsive to the residents. As the region continues to change, Saugus cannot afford to get left behind; Cogliano’s colleagues: There isn’t any support yet among other members of the Board of Selectmen on Anthony Cogliano’s proposal to have Saugus switch from a town to a city. Pictured from left to right are Selectmen Mike Serino, Debra Panetta, Jeffrey Cicolini and Corinne Riley relaxing at the Saugus High School graduation last June. Serino and Panetta are opposed to switching to a city form of government. Cicolini and Riley say they haven’t made up their minds yet. But Riley said the current form of government needs more accountability. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) we deserve a seat at the table,” he said. “On regional transit, on educational funding, on smart sustainable development that reduces the tax burden to our residents, a mayor can make a real difference in ways that a town form of government can’t.” Vice Chair Panetta explains her opposition Please know that how I found out about this proposal is through the newspaper. This was never discussed at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting. This question is really twofold. Is the question truly about becoming a city or is it about a change in who is managing our government? For the record, I am not in favor of changing Saugus from a Town into a City. I don’t see the benefits of becoming a city over a town. There was a comment made that we would receive more money as a city compared to a town, which I don’t believe to be true. Over the years that I’ve served in Town Government, including as Vice Chair of the Charter Commission, the majority of people I spoke to want Saugus to remain a Town. After all, the biggest representative form of government is a Selectmen / Town Meeting form of government with Town Meeting members, Selectmen, and School Committee members, all elected by the residents. This is what we have today. Centralizing governmental power is never a good idea. When I was first elected back in 2011 as a Selectman, our Town was heading into receivership. Our finances were in disarray, and our Essex Street Fire Station didn’t have enough money to stay open full-time. We were about to close our library, Senior Center, and Youth and Recreation Center. When Scott Crabtree was hired, he had some tough decisions to make. Through his knowlBOARD | SEE PAGE 5 A HOT POTATO ISSUE AT TOWN HALL: “I feel the residents are hesitant to adopt such a radical change in fear of the unknown and knowing that once it happens there is no turning back,” Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini says. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler)
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