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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 17, 2025 Page 19 NINE CANDIDATES | FROM PAGE 8 Jennifer D’Eon, a former Saugus selectman: The biggest challenge facing Saugus is the influx of traffic that is strangling our town. Traffic is overflowing from Route 1, Route 129, and Route 107 into town. Those who have lived in Saugus for over ten years will remember it was not like this in the past. There are many potential causes; it could be related to changes in traffic patterns following the shutdown in 2020, the rapid residential and commercial development on Route 1, and in neighboring communities’ both north and south of Saugus. Development has brought an increase in population, putting pressure on our existing infrastructure, schools, police, and fire resources. Traffic is affecting not only our residents’ ability to move around their own town, but the ability of our public safety departments, both police and fire to effectively protect the town, particularly the west and northern parts of Saugus. Response times are not optimum based on the location of our current public safety buildings and the west side of town. Route 1 effectively cuts the town in half north to south with access at Essex St., Main St., Lynn Fells Parkway, and Walnut St. Some areas require our police and fire departments to respond via the Lynnfield turnaround to get to some addresses. To meet this challenge as a Board, we need to move forward with any initiatives necessary, along with educating our residents, and promoting the vital need for a third public safety building for the west side of town. This will require the growth of the fire department to meet the increasing calls for service and improve response times due to daily traffic impacts. The police must also be expanded to address their response times and the added workload related to the increased traffic like crashes, and enforcement duties, calls at the new developments and businesses along Route 1, and the inevitable crime that comes along with it. Equal growth of both public safety departments is a major challenge that must be a top priority for Saugus. Frank Federico, a Precinct 7 Town Meeting member: In my view, the biggest issue facing the Board of Selectmen and the Town of Saugus is our reputation for being unresponsive and difficult to work with when it comes to new businesses. As we’ve seen with the Essex Landing lawsuit, this perception can have real financial consequences. When businesses feel disrespected or ignored, we lose opportunities for investment and risk costly legal disputes that ultimately fall on taxpayers. Many residents, especially seniors, have shared concerns about rising taxes and the fear of being priced out of their homes. My goal is to do more without asking residents to pay more. That means pursuing responsible business partnerships, smart development, and efficient use of resources while preventing the overbuilding of apartments that strain our infrastructure and change the character of our community. By strengthening relationships with the business community and fostering a fair, transparent, and genuinely business-friendly environment, we can attract growth that benefits everyone. A stronger commercial base means more local revenue to reinvest in essential priorities, such as a much-needed third fire station, improved schools, and well-maintained public facilities, without increasing the tax burden on residents. If elected, I will focus on collaboration, accountability, and innovation to rebuild trust with residents, local businesses, and the community as a whole. I’ll work closely with my fellow Selectmen to set clear priorities, create consistent standards for how we engage with businesses, and ensure decisions are transparent and grounded in what’s best for residents. By listening to different perspectives, finding common ground, and building consensus, we can move Saugus forward together, welcoming progress while protecting what makes this town home. Stacey Herman-Dorant, a Precinct 1 Town Meeting member: For towns and cities, keeping their financial well-being and strong bond rating is key to success and smart growth. Saugus is no different. One of the biggest challenges I see for the next Saugus Board of Selectmen is making sure we stay financially strong while dealing with the pressures that come with a growing town. Our AA bond rating, which helps us save millions on borrowing costs, indicates a positive outlook and financial stability. This was not always the case. Rising costs including funding for the vocational school, a potential west side emergency services building, infrastructure improvements and development are real, and we need to stay ahead of them through careful planning and responsible budgeting. Selectmen play a critical role in setting priorities and ensuring the Town Manager is focused on responsible and strategic investments. For example, I believe we must prioritize hiring the full-time Senior Town Planner to guide master planning efforts, evaluate land use, and support smart economic development. This position is essential for addressing challenges like traffic congestion, development pressures, and long-term infrastructure needs. When our fiscal house is in order, we have choices. Just like in our personal finances, we must plan, build reserves, and avoid overspending. If elected, I will work collaboratively with the Finance Committee, Town Meeting Members, and my fellow Selectmen to ensure we continue making smart, sustainable financial decisions. A proactive approach today will protect our financial strength and ensure that Saugus thrives in the future. Debra Panetta, an incumbent Saugus selectman and the board’s chair: Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility and Full-Service Levels The upcoming Board of Selectmen will confront the important task of balancing the expectations of a full-service community with the financial obligations associated with the West Side Public Safety facility and the community’s recent commitment to supporting the new Vocational School. Unlike many surrounding communities that are pursuing operational overrides to maintain their services, Saugus homeowners continue to benefit from one of the lowest residential tax bills on the North Shore without being asked to pay operational tax overrides. This is one feature that sets Saugus apart from many North Shore communities. Commitment to Sound Financial Practices This favorable financial position is the direct result of consistent and prudent financial management by the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Town Meeting, and the Town Manager. In any public setting, there will always be unlimited needs and desires that arise. However, it is the responsibility of the elected leaders to carefully balance these needs and wants with the community’s willingness to provide the necessary financial resources. Leadership and Future Goals I am proud to have served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for 14 years, including 7 years as Chairman. During this time, Saugus has achieved the strongest financial position in its history. If re-elected, I am committed to not only maintaining this robust financial standing but also guiding a process that ensures Saugus continues to offer comprehensive services to its residents. Additionally, I aim to support the advancement of funding for both the new vocational school and the West Side Public Safety complex. Michael Serino, an incumbent Saugus selectman: I believe the biggest challenge facing the next Board of Selectmen will be some financial challenges. The first challenge is the construction of the North East Vocational School. Unfortunately, the Town of Saugus has little control over this project. All decisions regarding the construction of the new school are made by the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School District Building Committee. The committee is comprised of one representative from the 12 surrounding communities who use the school, and as the host community, all members of the Wakefield School Committee and the Town Manager. Unfortunately, Saugus has only one vote. The projected construction cost of the new school is estimated at $ 317 million. The projected grant money from the State is estimated to be $ 177 million. The estimated projected cost to the Town of Saugus is approximately $ 1.5 million a year. This cost does not include tuition costs per student. The current school capacity is 1,200 students. However, the new school capacity will increase by 400 students to a total of 1,600 students. Therefore, if Saugus’s enrollment increases, then Saugus’s cost will increase. The second challenge is the construction of a West-side NINE CANDIDATES | SEE PAGE 20

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