THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, October 4, 2019 ~ Political Announcement ~ Page 7 Manoogian seeks to serve on Saugus Town Meeting again I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Saugus Town Meeting for Precinct 10. I wish to take this opportunity to share with the voters of Precinct 10 my experience, my reasons for running and what issues I would address over the next two years if elected. I am a lifelong Saugus resident. I attended and graduated, as did my three children from the Saugus Public Schools. I am a homeowner, taxpayer and water and sewer rate payer. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from Salem State College (1976), a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Suff olk University (1991) and a second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Salem State College (2001). My experience in Saugus Town Government spans over thirty years having served multiple terms on the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting. I also served as both a member and Chairman of the Saugus Finance Committee, Chairman of the most recent Charter Commission, member of the Economic Development Committee, and Aggregate Quarry Post Closure Committee. Most recently I served as a member of the Saugus School Committee. My reasons for running in this election are primarily to give the people of Precinct 10 a voice on issues that are both unique to East Saugus and the community at large. Over the last term of two years there were 12 town meetings. Attendance at these 12 meetings for Precinct 10 Town Meeting Members was, in my opinion, poor. The most recent Town Meeting of September 23 only had 35 of 50 members present. Only 2 of the 5 Precinct 10 representatives were present. In fact an analysis of Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member attendance over the last term shows a collective absentee rate of 42%. That is unacceptable. I wish to remind Precinct 10 voters that in over 30 years of experience I only missed one posted meeting. I was disappointed to see the loss of a 1 million dollar grant that would have restored salt marshes along Eastern Avenue, to see wasted funds on cement culverts for fl ood control stacked at the end of Bristow Street for over a decade, to see the lack of enforcement by the Conservation Commission on the I-95 sand removal project to be completed as proposed, and to see the shuttered Ballard School turn into a neighborhood eyesore of weeds and decay. A CANDIDATE AGAIN: Longtime former Saugus Town Meeting Member Peter Z, Manoogian, Sr. wants to return to local government. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Mark E. Vogler) rienced advocate and an experienced voice. I will not rubber stamp double digit increases in water and sewer rates. I will speak out, as I have in the past, when our schools do not receive the operational budget recommended by the Superintendent and School Committee. I know how Town Meeting operates and I will not be shy about inserting articles or making motions to amend articles or to compel a vote. Over the next two years I would like to work on the following issues: First, I would work to have Saugus join the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) which would result in lowering fl ood insurance premiums from 5% to 45% for Saugus home and business owners. Flood insurance premiums are a hidden tax on most East Saugus property owners as well as other Saugus homeowners living near streams and waterways. This depresses property values and makes it more difficult to sell a home. This would require tighte r fl oodplain regulations, community education and coordination of flood mitigation eff orts. Other communities have been successful in eff orts to reduce flood insurance premiEast Saugus needs an expe- ums for their property owners and Saugus can too. Second, I would propose a post closure committee for the Wheelabrator ash landfi ll that would be modeled after the successful Aggregate Quarry Post Closure Committee which I was a member of. Aggregate came to the table to discuss and agree on a closure date and the same opportunity should be off ered to Wheelabrator. Let’s fi nd out if they truly wish to work with Saugus on a closure plan. Third, I will propose legislation that will once and for all prevent any elected official, during their term of offi ce and at least six months thereafter, from seeking, accepting, or being off ered a paid position or contractual relationship with Saugus government. This practice must end. The people you elect should serve only you and not have their voice or vote compromised by competing allegiances. Fourth, I would ask Town Meeting to reinstate the sidewalk committee disbanded by the present Town Moderator. Saugus paid for engineering work to continue the sidewalk from Seagirt Avenue to Ballard Street. This was the last leg of a continuous new sidewalk that extended from North Revere to Lynn. The project should be fi nished. These are but a few of the initiatives I will propose if elected. As I always have, I will listen to your concerns, advocate for Precinct 10, and be present to vote. Thank you for your consideration. (Editor’s Note: Saugus residents wishing to announce their candidacy for public offi ce in the fall’s town elections may submit a statement along with a photo to The Saugus Advocate, which will be published as a courtesy to town voters. Friday, Nov. 1, is the last day for publishing these announcements.) www.reverealuminumwindow.com * A Delta Dental Premier Provider Dr. Mario Abdennour, Dr. Bhavisha Patel, Dr. Priti Amlani, Dr. Bruce Goldman and team.
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