Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 28, 2025 Representative Wong pushes for rules reforms to make the House and Senate more transparent and accountable B OSTON – State Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus) continues to push for reforms to the internal rules governing the Massachusetts House of RepLawn and Yard Care SNOW PLOWING *REASONABLE RATES * PROMPT SERVICE * PARKING LOTS USA 781-521-9927 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 resentatives and Senate, saying legislators need to be more transparent in how they conduct business and accountable to their constituents. On February 25, Representative Wong supported multiple Republican-sponsored reform measures fi led as amendments to a comprehensive House rules package as well as a sepBUDGET SEASON | FROM PAGE 1 Annual Town Meeting, which is set to convene on May 5. Crabtree identified several challenges in preparing the estimates of expenditures in his recommended FY 2026 budget: • Health insurance in the School Department had increased by $1.2 million; overall health insurance increased by $2 million. • Trash hauling and incineration rates continue to increase. He said town budget staff expect a signifi cant increase in the hauling cost for the next fi scal year as the existing contract will be ending. Total DPW waste collection and disposal expenses increased by $1.6 million. The incineration conarate rules package that will govern the operations of the joint legislative committees of the two branches for the 20252026 session. Representative Wong noted that the initial rules proposals released prior to fl oor debate contained several positive reREFORMS | SEE PAGE 4 tract’s tipping fee is increasing in the upcoming fi scal year as well. In addition, the cost of disposal of recyclable materials continues to increase and have been impacted with contamination charges. • Pension contribution – the pension appropriation for Fiscal Year 2026 is in the amount of about $5.8 million. • Regional School Assessments – Vocational Education, including Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School and Essex North Shore Tech, is budgeted for $2.9 million based on estimated numbers provided by DESE. The Fiscal Year 2026 estimated assessments refl ect a 5 percent increase on the actual Fiscal Year 2025 assessments. Based on the most recent debt information proDonald Wong State Representative vided by Northeast Regional, the town’s share of the existing debt service for the Fiscal Year 2026 is $779,118 – an increase of $290,917 from Fiscal Year 2025 assessments. • Other insurance – the various property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance premium estimates have been budgeted based on an increase of about 8 percent over actual fiscal year 2025 premiums recommended by the provider. • Capital improvements – there are significant capital needs that the town will need to plan and identify funding sources for. Those include, but are not limited to, such things as capital facility needs; infrastructure, such as roadways; public safety equipment, such as fire apparatus; and other equipment that is nearing end of life and requiring expensive repairs, as well as funding the Northeast Metro Tech capital assessment for the MSBA School Construction Project. “Steps continue to be taken to minimize the impact on the budget, stabilize services to the residents and maintain current staffi ng levels,” Crabtree said in his budget message. “In partnership with yourselves, the Finance Committee and Town Meeting, we have been able to present a balanced budget at each Annual Town Meeting and preserve our current AA+ bond rating,” he said. “Overall, we’re doing pretty good compared to other communities,” Crabtree told selectmen. “We budgeted conservatively and we’re staying within our means,” the town manager said. Call Driveways from $35
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