Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 12, 2026 A time for honking horns, climbing trucks and taking hold of the wheel Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angels host their 7th annual Touch A Truck fundraiser By Joanie Allbee A midst threats of rain last Sunday (June 7), the Touch a Truck event rumbled on in the parking lot at Blessed SacTOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 1 Advocate later. “We spent a lot of money this year,” the moderator continued. “And I think going forward, there’s going to be an expectation of results. People are going to want to see improvements in our school system,” he said. A Fire Department show of force While the mood was visibly upbeat and positive in the second floor auditorium after the final session of this year’s Annual Town Meeting, there was also some concern expressed for the town’s fiscal future. There was a strong turnout of members of Saugus Firefighters Local 1003, about two dozen firefighters, who were dressed in red t-shirts. Members stood in the back of the auditorium and on both sides. Saugus Fire Capt. William E. rament Church at 14 Summer St. in Saugus. From 2 to 5 p.m., visitors explored police cars, fire trucks, tractors and more. Friendly owners and crews encouraged visCross III, who is also a Precinct 8 Town Meeting member, wore a red t-shirt, too. He said the firefighters union members were there to demonstrate support for the Fire Department with a cautious outlook for the future. “Definitely, there’s a concern,” Cross said in an interview later. “There’s a concern if we keep on dipping into our free cash. We’re concerned about how things are going to be three years from now,” Cross said. Cross recalled the challenging days when budget cuts and fiscal problems forced the closure of the Essex Street Fire Station. “I remember those days. By 2004, we started spending money we didn’t have. In 2008, we had to close the Essex Street Fire Station,” Cross said. “Under Town Manager Scott Crabtree, we’ve come a long way since then. We’re still not there yet. But under Crabtree, we’re 100 times better,” he said. Cross said he had no doubts A QUICK NIGHT: The 2026 Annual Town Meeting during its final session on Monday night took about 29 minutes to approve the final five articles, including the 2027 Fiscal Year budget. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) that a substantial increase in school spending was passing this year. “There was just too much momentum,” Cross said. “And if the test scores go up, that’s great. I want the schools to do well. I’m rooting for Saugus,” he said. Joining the rank-and-file firefighters at Monday’s night session were Fire Chief Michael Newbury and Deputy Chief Thomas D’Eon Jr. A 2.5 percent water rate hike Among the five final articles to be considered Monday night itors to put their hands on all of the vehicles. Three-year-old Santino took the wheel of a tractor as he sat in his dad Anthony Vinciarelli’s lap. Fiveyear-old Nathan DeNicola, an aspiring future police officer, was thrilled to receive a police badge sticker and to be behind the wheel of a police cruiser. “Nathan loves to see all the police cars at Touch a Truck,” his dad Michael DeNicola said. Saugus Police Officer and Pink Patch Project Direct Representative DomenTOUCH A TRUCK | SEE PAGE 3 was a 2.5 percent increase in the water rates for Fiscal Year 2027. The Finance Committee recommended adoption of the lesser of three options presented in a report by the town’s longtime consultant, The Abrahams Group LLC. Under the plan approved by Town Meeting, the average residential user would pay $610 a year, an increase of $14 in their annual water bill. The average commercial user would pay $5,414 a year, a $132 hike. Town Meeting members voted by an overwhelming voice vote in support of the water rate hike. Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo was the only member expressing opposition. Town Meeting has approved six percent increases in the water rate in three of the previous four fiscal years. Members had passed a five percent increase for Fiscal Year 2024. This year, concerns over inaccurate water meter readings leading to excessive water bills and the installation of new water meters influenced the Board of Selectmen’s decision to keep sewer rates the same. With uncertainty over the impact of new water meters on user costs, selectmen unanimously approved a rare “zero percent increase” for the first time in many years. Well-attended sessions Members’ attendance at Town Meeting has surfaced as a major issue during recent town elections. Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Mark Panetta was the lone member missing the fourth session Monday night. This year’s Town Meeting – which includes 15 new members – posted a 97 percent attendance record over the four nights. Forty-four of the 50 Town Meeting members had perfect attendance. Six members missed one meeting. All 15 newcomers attended every meeting.
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