THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 18, 2023 Page 5 CHARTER COMMISSION | FROM PAGE 4 ed Selectmen and your fi fty (50) elected Town Meeting Members, thereby, replacing them with an elected Town Manager or Administrator and/or Mayor along with an elected nine (9) member City / Town Council,” he said. Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta said she has supported a move to staggered elections in the past as she does today. But that proposed change in town governance hasn’t been supported by the town. And it doesn’t take a Charter Commission to consider the proposal again. After serving in the town’s local government for over three decades as a Town Meeting member, a School Committee member and a selectman, Panetta said she’s satisfi ed with the town’s current form of government. And she doesn’t like the idea of making the town manager an elected position. “When you choose to elect the top position, you are changing from a ‘Town’ form of government to a ‘City’ form of government. So really, the discussion will revert back to ‘City’ vs. ‘Town,’” Panetta said. “The biggest representative form of government is a Selectmen / Town Meeting form of government with Town Meeting members, Selectmen, and School Committee members, all elected by residents,” she said. “This is what we have today. I’ve always felt that centralizing governmental power is never a good idea,” she said. “In the end, it is up to the Saugus voters on whether they are satisfi ed with our form of government, or whether they want to see major change.” Selectman Corinne Riley – Cogliano’s key ally on the board – said she supports the creation of a Charter Commission and wants to see it accomplish what she sees as needed change in Saugus governance. “With over 4,000 signatures obtained, it’s clear that there is a strong appetite to form a Charter Commission to review the current Charter,” she said. Speaking for myself, I’d like to see the charter amended to put more authority in the hands of the voters,” she said. Selectman Jeff rey Cicolini is not advocating specifi c changes in the current form of Saugus government, but he does support the creation of a Charter Commission. “I do support the desire to take a fresh look at our governance and how we operLocal Student-Athlete Named to Spring 2023 Dean’s List B EVERLY, Mass. – A total of 370 Endicott College club and varsity student-athletes have been named to the 2023 Spring Semester Dean’s List. All 21 varsity and seven club programs are represented including Saugus resident Taylor Bogdanski, who is in the Liberal Studies Program and plays women’s basketball. Highlighting the group of 370 honorees were 64 student-athletes who achieved a 4.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for the semester. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must obtain a minimum grade point average of 3.5, receive no grade below a “C,” have no withdrawal grades, and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits for the semester. WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 ate as there are always things that can improve,” Cicolini said. “I look forward to the election and no matter who comprises the nine-member commission, I am sure they each will do a great job and have Saugus’ best interest at heart,” he said. www.eight10barandgrille.com OPEN DAILY FOR DINNER AT 4 PM. CATCH THE CELTICS, BRUINS & NCAA SPORTS ON OUR 6 LARGE SCREEN TV'S! om
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