THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 19, 2024 Page 5 Town Meeting 2024 There are several controversial articles that are expected to draw debate when the Annual Town Meeting convenes on May 6; Charter Review Committee and funds requested for a School Resource Offi cer could spur hot debate By Mark E. Vogler B y a narrow margin, town voters rejected a ballot question last November which would have created a Charter Commission to consider revising the Town of Saugus Charter, perhaps even a measure that would turn the town into a city. That discussion – which involved some contentious debate and polarized the town during the campaign – could be revisited if the Town Meeting approves a proposal to form an 11-person Charter Review Committee. A Charter Review Committee was proposed in one of numerous articles accepted at Tuesday (April 16) night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting as members closed the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, which is set to convene at 7:30 p.m. May 6 in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. Other interesting articles that could draw considerable debate on the fl oor of Town Meeting include measures that would: –Appropriate $200,000 from the General Stabilization Fund for a two-year SRO (student resource offi cer) pilot program. This appropriation would fund the salary and benefi ts for two years. –Appropriate $100,000 from the General Stabilization Fund for 80 two-way radios for all three school buildings. –Prohibit a former member of the Board of Selectmen or the School Committee from holding any compensated appointed offi ce, or employment that is directly appointed by the Board of Selectmen or the School Committee for which a salary is payable from the town treasury until 18 months following the date on which the former member’s term of offi ce on the Board of Selectmen or the School Committee has terminated. –Form a Town Meeting committee to investigate the feasibility of registering and inspecting apartments within the Town of Saugus. The committee would examine the process used in at least two other nearby communities to register and inspect apartments. It would also produce a report by the 2025 Annual Town Meeting that may include a bylaw proposal that would identify procedures, costs associated with registration/inspection and recommendations for implementation. Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Matthew Parlante and Precinct 7 Town Meeting Member Frank V. Vederico – two of the 13 new Town Meeting members elected last fall – have been pushing in recent weeks for an article to create a Charter Review Committee. “The role of the Charter Review Committee is to review the existing Saugus Town Charter and recommend updates or amendments, if applicable, for consideration for the betterment and benefi t of the Town of Saugus,” explained a draft of the article submitted to selectmen. “This 11-person committee shall include the following: Ten members of Town Meeting, one from each of the 10 precincts, appointed by a lottery. One selectman appointed by a lottery. The lottery will consist of Town Meeting members and Selectmen that are interested in serving on the committee.” TOWN MEETING| SEE PAGE 6 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Daily 4:00 PM Closed Sunday Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Monday & Tuesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s SHOP LOCAL & DROP BY FOR DINNER! www.eight10barandgrille.com 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 Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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