12

Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 13, 2023 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 for the past decade. He is not a member of the Moving Saugus Forward Committee. “The structural integrity of our Town’s government is statistically sound, especially when looking at its financial growth and operational stability. The economic stability of our Town is at its pinnacle and is demonstrated in our Stabilization Fund. In our Town’s Stabilization Fund, there is a balance in excess of $10,000,000 that is an integral component for global financial institutions assessments of financial performance and stability. Standard and Poor’s, a global financial institution, thereby has awarded Saugus a AA+ Rating that grants the Town favorable interest rates. This AA+ Rating has allowed the Town to save a significant amount of money and has led to the following new construction for our residents: New Tennis and Basketball Courts; New Playgrounds; Reconstruction of Hamilton Street and Lincoln Avenue.” Stephen Doherty, who has served 12 years as a Precinct 4 Town Meeting member and the past decade as Town Moderator, presiding over the 50-member chamber. “I look at where the Town of Saugus is now compared with where we were a decade ago and I see tremendous progress. But there’s always room for improvement and we need to keep moving the Town in the right direction. I don’t think wholesale changes in our form of government are needed, but better channels of communication between citizens, Town officials and elected officials would help to get everyone on the same page and working in the same direction.” Frank V. Federico, a nonpolitician and member of the Moving Saugus Forward Committee: “To enhance our town government, I’d prioritize a comprehensive review of our Charter— the cornerstone of our governance. This document outlines government duties and powers. By scrutinizing it, we can uncover and address key issues in our town’s operation. Much like constructing a house, we must begin with a solid foundation, and in Saugus, that foundation is our town Charter.” Ryan P. Fisher, who is also running for re-election to his School Committee seat, which he was elected to in 2019 after serving a term on Town Meeting. “I’d like to see Town Meeting meet more regularly. They deal with important issues affecting finance, investment, zoning, and how we want to change our community, and often you have these late-into-the-night marathon sessions where there’s pressure to just vote. We need to take our time and get it right. Staggered elections are also something worth looking at. If I had a magic wand? Town government needs more participation. A fraction of those who can vote do, and many get all of their news from Facebook. If more people got first hand information, they’d have a clearer picture of what’s going on in Saugus, and they’d be more inspired to participate and serve. I wasn’t involved with the prior charter commissions and I’m not involved with the Move Saugus Forward Committee.” Lori A. Gallivan, who chairs the Moving Saugus Forward Committee, which was created last week with the specific purpose for forming a Charter Commission. “I am a first-time candidate. I have lived in Saugus for 23 years, I am an educator and spent 7 years working in the Saugus Public Schools first as Principal of the Lynnhurst Elementary School for 3 years and then as Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability for 4 years. I am a member of the Moving Saugus Forward Committee. I am not a politician; I am an educator. In education we are constantly reviewing our strategic plan and revising it to meet the needs of the ever-changing world and evolving society. I look at this opportunity to serve on the Charter Commission as just that, a review of our current Charter to see if there is a better way to organize to allow Saugus to thrive. The definition of Improve, is to make or become better! I want us to improve at being an efficient, fair, and transparent government body who is accountable at all levels.” Peter Z. Manoogian, Sr., who also seeks reelection as a Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member. He has been involved in Saugus government since getting elected as a Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member in 1985. He has been a selectman, a School Committee member and also served as the past Chairman of the 2007-2009 Charter Commission. “Increasing citizen as well as voter participation would improve Saugus. Sadly, citizen participation has greatly diminished in Saugus. For example, in the 2001 Town Election for Selectmen 26,960 votes were cast with the top vote getter receiving 4,338 votes and the 5th place finisher receiving 2,607 votes. In 2021 that number dropped to 15,080 total votes cast and the first-place finisher received 2,439 votes. Simply stated, what got you 1st in 2021 would not have elected you in 2001. This fact, along with the loss of press coverage and the rise of social media content feeds demagoguery and ultimately corruption. Without question the best run communities in Massachusetts as well as the ones recognized by the National Civic League for outstanding governance have one thing in common and that is broad citizen participation.” Jeannette E. Meredith, who also is running as a candidate for Town Meeting in Precinct 2. She has more than 15 years of experience in local government, including six years on the School Committee, where she served four years as chair. “I do feel the current form of government has been moving Saugus forward for the past ten plus years. The Town is in the best financial state it has ever been in in the history of Saugus. We are a full-service community with new schools, parks and playgrounds, capital planning and Infrastructure being improved and actively planned. There are a couple things I would like to be considered in our Local Government. I would like to discuss staggered elections for our elected officials, as this would promote Town and board/committee/town meeting continuity allowing for a continuation of common goals and priorities, which promotes greater stability for our town, which historically we have lacked. Second, I would like to see the number of Town Meeting members increase. Representative Town Meetings in Massachusetts range from 50429 members, with an average size of 214. In my opinion.” Sue Palomba, who is also running for reelection to her Town Meeting seat in Precinct 2: “I would like to see us all work together and be unified towards one common goal. Respecting one another and bringing everyone together. I would like to see citizens more educated on town affairs and educate others in being open to both sides. Then we as a community can make a difference. Unity is strength! When people work together, we must remember there is power in numbers. We can overcome challenges and accomplish any goal. The development of our town, which is a community, depends on this spirit. When we work unified then we can bring success.” Debra Carol Panetta, the vice chair of the Board of Selectmen, who is also running for re-election to the seat she’s held for 12 years. She has spent more than three decades in Saugus local government and was elected to the last Charter Commission (2007-2009). She served a decade previously as a Town Meeting, representing Precinct 5. “Answer: Staggered Elections. Selectmen and School Committee members are voted in office once every two years. If five new people are elected as Selectmen, for example, you could have a brand-new board with no expertise or knowledge of the office. This can lead to bad decisions, re-work, and potential lawsuits. In addition, having all 5 members run for the office at the same time can be unproductive in the months leading up to the election, where some are more focused on the next election rather than the office they currently hold. This is why staggered elections would be ideal to rectify this situation. Staggered elections can be put on the ballot without a Charter Commission, like it was in 2016. However, it got voted down 53 to 47 percent. This is the same percentage that the last Charter Commission was voted down back in 2009, 53 to 47 percent.” Matthew David Parlante, who is also a candidate for Town Meeting in Precinct 2: “My ultimate goal is to make transparency and community synonymous with ‘Town Hall.’ The Charter Commission is an opportunity to review the way in which that is best accomplished for our residents and local businesses. Being a first-time candidate with no affiliations is an asset that enables me to work objectively for you. Whether the report recommends major or minor changes, I promise to serve as the bridge connecting our residents to that process. Without your perspectives & opinions, the charter review will be pointless because it won’t truly reflect the values & aspirations of our community.” Peter A. Rossetti, Jr., who is also seeking another two-year term as a Town Meeting member in Precinct 2, where he has served for more than 25 years. His past involvement in Saugus Town government also includes a decade on the Planning Board. He’s currently a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. “The first thing that I would do to improve Saugus Town Government is to implement a policy of communication with all Town Departments and citizens inquiry within a 5-day period. It would be a Town policy that all departments and personnel would communicate with citizens making inquiries within a specific time. This does not mean they would be able to solve or answer all questions or problems, however they would acknowledge citizens input by communicating they have received the input. Citizens will feel they are being listened to.” Michael J. Serino, who is running for another term on the Saugus Board of Selectmen. His involvement in local government dates back to 1975, when he was first elected to Town Meeting. Over a span of nearly five decades, he has served a total of 14 years as a selectman. “To improve town government, I would form a standing Town Meeting Charter Committee. Most communities have a standing committee that reviews their charters periodically. I served as Vice-Chairman of the 2009 Town Meeting Charter Committee. Town meeting members have experience in town government. Having people on a charter committee with no government experience would be detrimental. Moreover, I would vote NO in changing our town to a city. Vincent A. Serino, chair of the School Committee, who is seeking re-election to another twoyear term: “If I had the power to improve the Saugus town government, I would get younger people to participate in the process. Our structure of government works because it gets a good number of people involved. Town meeting is a representation of all the town’s precincts, this allows every neighborhood to have a voice. Our form of government allows most people to serve on boards and committees. If we can get the younger generation to get more involved and get their feedback on how we can improve, I think this would be a great benefit to Saugus.” Anthony D. Speziale, who is treasurer of the Moving Saugus Forward Committee. He has no past involvement in Saugus local government. “Having no political experience, my first action would be a complete review of the Town Charter. The charter needs to be reviewed periodically to adapt to the current and future needs of the town - avoiding stagnation. Moreover, with the commission, I would offer public forums to the residents for ideas similar to the ‘Saugus Over Coffee’ meetings. The purpose is to get the public involved and discuss changes that would benefit Saugus. Whether or not you are involved with Moving Saugus Forward, this offers full transparency. Saugus is your town, and you should be included.” Richard Edward Thompson, who is also a Town Meeting member in Precinct 3 seeking re-election where he has served for eight years. The parent of a student at Saugus High, he has also served on the Planning Board. He’s been a member of the Saugus Cemetery Commission since 2017 and has served ASKS | SEE PAGE 14

13 Publizr Home