THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAY, FEbrUArY 27, 2026 Page 3 Countdown Till Saugus Town Meeting Editor’s Note: The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 4. 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 four of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 1. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting Members from Precinct 2. The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convenes nine weeks from Monday. Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2026 Town Meeting session? Mark J. Bell: I think the Town will be facing several significant financial decisions in 2026. Saugus will need to determine how best to fund the new vocational school and move forward with, what I believe is a necessary third fire station. At the same time, the proposed new developments near Palumbo Properties and the old Weylu’s site show that Saugus is still growing. Growth can be positive, but it has to be managed responsibly to ensure our schools, police/fire departments, and infrastructure are not completely overwhelmed. Careful, long-term planning will be very important in this process. Stacey Herman-Dorant: THE SEAT OF SAUGUS TOWN GOVERNMENT: The 50-member Town Meeting is the legislative branch of Saugus Town Government and convenes on the first Monday in May each year for a series of meetings to approve zoning articles and resolutions and to pass the town’s municipal budget. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Approving the Town budget is a priority. Continuing to maintain our financial stability, while focusing on positive growth, is important as we build on the strengths of Saugus. I’m committed to protecting our strong bond rating, which saves taxpayers millions of dollars that can be directed towards our priorities. Also, keeping healthy savings (a.k.a. Free cash) allows us to not to be as impacted by onetime costs such as severe winter storms and unexpected infrastructure disruptions. I believe that no matter where you live in Saugus you should get the same response time in an emergency. Therefore, I will continue to support the feasibility of a westside emergency response facility. Protecting our environment and moving Saugus to become more sustainable is important. I would like to continue the work of the Trash Committee (on which I served) by moving toward secure-lidded trash bins compatible with automated collection. I hope to work with other Town Meeting Members on precinct-based community cleanups and if WIN Waste continues to operate, they should TOWN MEETING | SEE PAGE 4 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 Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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