Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 24, 2024 MEETING | FROM PAGE 1 bike,” Brown said. “He was going way too fast. We see it all the time. We are abutters to this [the rail trail],” he said. A major feature of the rail trail bylaw approved by Town Meeting is a 15 mph speed limit for motorized vehicles on a multi-use trail, including electric bicycles and electric scooters. The regulations define potential uses and stipulate restrictions. Violations of the ordinance can be punishable by a $100 fine for a first offense and a $250 fine for each additional offense. Police also have the power to tow and 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 store at the owner’s expense any unauthorized vehicles. How the article evolved Panetta’s proposed bylaw drew strong support from Town Meeting members. Precinct 4 Town Meeting Member Glen R. Davis offered a technical amendment to change the bylaw section from 601.02 Rail Trail to 601.03 Rail Trail because there is already a 601.02 section. Otherwise, the members who spoke on the article didn’t have any major problems with it. “I have always been a strong supporter of the rail trail, and I know it is enjoyed by our residents,” Panetta said in a prepared statement she read to Town Meeting members. “However, we have had some issues on our trail, including motorized vehicles traveling very fast. The trail is supposed to be used for bicycles, joggers, skaters and walkers – certainly not motorcycles or ATV vehicles,” Panetta said. “I have had several people 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! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM 12-9 p.m. $9.00 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 reach out to me with concerns, including a Town Meeting member from Precinct 2 who attended a Board of Selectmen meeting to share his concerns and those of his neighbors,” she said. Panetta said she consulted with Malden City Council President Steve Winslow about how the city is handling its segment of the bike trail and how its rail trail bylaw is working. “After these discussions, I felt that a bylaw sounded like it would be beneficial to Saugus, so I reached out to Police Chief Riccardelli for his thoughts and opinion,” Panetta said. “I shared with him Malden’s bylaw and suggested some updates. He did his own research, reaching out to other communities, and he updated the bylaw for Saugus. I then reached out to Town Counsel, who stated he also spoke to the Chief, and that the bylaw you have before you tonight is ‘fine as written,’” she said. RAIL TRAIL SAFETY: There has been a growing concern among joggers and walkers about the potential for being hit or having close encounters with motorized vehicles on the town’s Rail Trail. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) Chief provides opinion supporting bylaw In preparation for Town Meeting’s discussion of Article 27, Panetta said, she requested an opinion from Chief Riccardelli on the proposed rail trail bylaw and whether he thought it would work in Saugus. At Monday’s session, Panetta read the chief’s opinion, which supports the proposed bylaw. “I think it is very important to have rules in place that will keep our residents safe while they are utilizing the rail trail,” Chief Ricciardelli wrote in his letter. “The proposed rail trail by law is very similar to those that have already been passed in some of the surrounding communities. I spoke to several local police chiefs who have similar by laws in place and they all state that the bylaw was a big help in keeping their rail trails safe and orderly,” the chief said. “As a Saugus resident and someone who uses the trail on a regular basis, I can tell you that the use of motorized/ electric bicycles and scooters on the trail has become problematic,” he said. “It is that time of the year where we are getting ready to launch our bicycle patrol program that concentrates on rail trail safety. The proposed bylaw will give our bicycle patrol officers the authority that they need to keep the rail trail safe and orderly.” Panetta told Town Meeting members that she plans to discuss with Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree the logistics for posting signs along the rail trail, letting people who use the trail know there is a 15 mph speed limit for motorized vehicles. “The chief is getting ready to launch the bicycle patrol program. Bicycle patrol officers are the ones that will enforce the bylaw,” Panetta said. Parlante said he would like to see the bylaw crafted even more restrictively by eliminating the use of electric scooters or bicycles altogether. “A bicycle or scooter going 15 miles per hour hitting a mother with a carriage is going to do some damage,” Parlante said. Town Meeting 2024 Members approve 6 percent water rate increase, annual $32 increase for average residential users and annual $282 increase for average commercial users By Mark E. Vogler M embers voted 39-4 at Monday’s Town Meeting session 3 in support of a 6 percent increase in the water rate for the 2025 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. The average residential user bill will increase from $530 a year to $562 a year – for a $16 hike twice a year, according to the rate approved. The average commercial user bill will increase from $4,700 to $4,982 – for a $141-increase twice a year under the plan that was recommended by the Finance Committee. There was no discussion WATER RATE | SEE PAGE 3
3 Publizr Home