THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 2, 2025 Page 3 Countdown Till Saugus Town Meeting Editor’s Note: The 2025 Annual Town Meeting convenes next Monday, May 5. As a special service to our readers and the registered voters of Saugus, we have reached 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 three of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 10. Today concludes our 10-part series. Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2025 Town Meeting session? Martin Costello: As to my top priority going into this years’ Town Meeting, I have always been cognizant of the need for the Town of Saugus to do everything it can by way of its’ management and its’ financial and budgetary obligations to secure its’ beneficial bond rating. There are many other cities and towns in this Commonwealth that do not possess such a luxury! As is the case with every ensuing fiscal year, this one being no different, inflationary pressures and economic uncertainties arise that must be addressed and a financially sound construct in any city or towns’ gov50 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! 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 file photo by Mark E. Vogler) ernment, is paramount to that municipality’s being able to provide for all of the necessary elements to that city or towns’ COUNTDOWN TILL | SEE PAGE 10 TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 2 to Saugus Public Schools that some school officials may not feel comfortable talking about at this year’s Town Meeting. “In my opinion there will be two elephants in the room at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting,” Manoogian told The Saugus Advocate. “The first will be the school budget which, as proposed by the Manager and the Selectmen, cannot sustain the level of spending as well as the demands of the teacher’s union to fund a new contract,” said Manoogian, a former School Committee member. “Additionally, the School Committee has failed to disclose how much the McMahon arbitration award will cost and how they propose to fund that settlement,” Manoogian said, referring to the town’s financial obligation to ex-Saugus School Superintendent Erin McMahon, who was fired in November 2023. Earlier this year, an arbitrator ruled that the School Committee breached McMahon’s fiveyear contract and that she was wrongly fired and is entitled to the final two and a half years of her contract minus post-termination earnings. That could amount to up to $500,000 or more. “Will it be paid in one fiscal year? Will the School Committee seek to pay extra to McMahon to have the award funded over a series of years? Will Town Meeting allow the School Committee to maintain this as secret?” Manoogian asked. “This was an award by an arbitrator and not a court judgement and therefore is not shielded from public disclosure. Hopefully the Finance Committee will request this information and provide this information to the Town Meeting.” PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $11.00 Price includes Roller Skates 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required 12-9 p.m. $10.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com
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