SAUGUS Your Local News in 6 Languages. Subscribe to Advocate Online! C TE D AT CAT Vol. 25, No.32 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, August 11, 2023 SAUGUS OVER COFFEE Changing Saugus governance Cogliano’s Charter Commission petition drive gains enough support to qualify for November election ballot By Mark E. Vogler V oters will get to decide in the Nov. 7 town election if Saugus’ current form of government should be studied by a nine-member Charter Commission and whether to elect candidates to serve on that commission. “We’re going to be telling the Board of Selectmen that the petitions have enough signatures to be voted on,” Town Clerk Ellen Schena said Wednesday (Aug. 9) at the Board of Registrars meeting. Schena, who is a member of the board, said that a petition drive spearheaded by Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano had obtained 3,305 certified voter signatures – more than enough to guarantee a ballot question will be put before voters in November. “ The petitions needed 3,007 signatures to qualify for the ballot,” Schena said after the meeting. “That’s 15 percent of registered voters as of the last state election – Nov. 8, 2022 – 20,046,” she said. Town Meeting Member Thomas E. Traverse relaxed after a recent interview. He is one of several Precinct 8 Town Meeting members who are expected to share their views on top issues aff ecting their precinct during the eighth in a series of public forums set to begin on Monday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library. Please see inside for more photos and this week’s “The Advocate Asks.” (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) ~ Home of the Week ~ Saugus.... 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bath, warm and inviting home nestled on a side street, cul-desac. Abutting Anna Parker playground and park. Enclosed front porch, cozy kitchen, open concept living room with wall columns and shelves, dining room with built-in china cabinet, half bath 1st floor, fabulous 4 season room off back heated with wood stove. Upstairs 3 bedrooms, full bath, good size closets, full basement, half paneled, half work shop, security system, under the 4 season room another storage/workshop, lovely fenced yard with shed. Offered at $599,900. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com iht 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 f th y View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. g ANGELO’S A FULL SERVICE 1978-2023 Celebrating 45 Years in Business! Regular Unleaded $3.539 MidUnleaded $3.839 Super $4.089 Diesel Fuel $4.159 Heating Oil at the Pump $4.759 $3.59 9 DEF HEATING OI 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS Hours. Mon.-Wed. 6AM - 6PM / Thurs. & Fri. 6AM - 7PM / Sat. 7AM / Sun. 9AM-5PM Cogliano and a handful of supporters – several relatives – who worked on the petition drive gathered in the fi rst fl oor conference room at Town Hall to get offi cial confi rmation of what they were expecting and hoping for: a chance for voters to consider a thorough study of potential changes in the Saugus Town Charter, essentially the constitution that determines how the community is governed. “Now, the real work begins,” Cogliano said. “It’s all about educating the public and fi nding nine people that are willing to run for Charter Commission,” he said. Armed with a new legal opinion from Town Counsel John Vasapolli that revises an earlier one challenged by Cogliano (see related story), he said he plans to run for reelection and also for a seat on the Charter Commission. Schena told the Board of Registers that she would be sending an official report to the Board of Selectmen GOVERNANCE | SEE PAGE 2 Prices subject to change DIESEL TRUCK STOP FLEET
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