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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 31, 2025 Page 11 understanding the long-term implications. Charter Review Committee – When it comes to reviewing and shaping the structure of our local government, Saugus is fortunate to already have a powerful and representative body in place: our Town Meeting. I had the privilege of serving as Vice-Chair of the last elected Charter Commission, where we spent two years developing a comprehensive set of proposed updates to the Town Charter. Although the voters did not adopt the formal charter change, Town Meeting recognized the value of many of those recommendations and acted on them. Through a series of votes, they adopted several of the most meaningful and practical reforms from that effort. In 2023, the voters did not SAUGUS TOWN HALL: The house of town government, where nine candidates are running for five seats on the Board of Selectmen in the Nov. 4 Town Election. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) BOARD OF SELECTMEN | FROM PAGE 10 port to revisit the issue, I fully back placing the question back on the ballot because residents should always have the final say. It’s also worth noting that Town Meeting has the authority to make Charter changes and has done so in the past. Most towns/cities in Massachusetts have staggered elections with three-year terms. This would be beneficial and create continuity in both the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. No one can argue that improved communication and working across departments and committees improves outcomes. As Selectmen, we can encourage and work with the Town Manager to make sure everyone is at the table to make public safety a priority. Rather than making blanket statements, I believe in listening to those “in the trenches”—the staff, teachers, public safety officials, and committee members who work every day to serve our town. I want to understand what systems of communication are already in place and how we can strengthen them. Exploring alternative meeting formats, like Zoom sessions over lunch hours for example, could allow for the right people to be present and give input and make scheduling easier. I’m ready to bring my leadership experience (visit my LinkedIn page: www.linkedin. com/in/staceyherman/) to the Board of Selectmen to help solve tough issues. I would appreciate your vote on November 4th. Debra Panetta, an incumbent Saugus selectman and the board’s chair: Staggered Elections – Implementing staggered elections could significantly enhance the operations of the Town. By staggering terms, Saugus would promote greater consistency and continuity in local government, particularly within the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. Under the current system, both boards are subject to complete turnover every two years, placing institutional knowledge at risk. This loss of experience and historical context can lead to misinformed decisions, ultimately jeopardizing the effective governance and long-term stability of our Town. Without that continuity, even the most well-intentioned officials can make decisions without fully vote in favor of establishing a Charter Review Committee. This vote may be because Saugus already has a built-in mechanism for ongoing charter review and structural reform through Town Meeting. Public Safety Committee – The Board of Selectmen serve as traffic commissioners, where all decisions are guided by recommendations from the Police & Fire Departments. This collaborative structure is essential, but there’s room to strengthen our approach. Looking ahead, I believe the next elected Board should prioritize traffic concerns by working closely with the Town Manager, State Delegation, School Committee, and Public Safety Departments to develop a comprehensive strategy. Traffic safety affects everyone — from school zones to commuter routes — and deserves focused attention. Michael Serino, an incumbent Saugus selectman: Question # 1 YES. Many municipalities have a Charter Review Advisory board that meets periodically to review ways to improve town government. In 2009 under former Town Moderator Bob Long, a Town Meeting Charter Committee was formed to review the town charter. All members were appointed by the Town Moderator. The committee was comprised of (5) Town Meeting Members, (2) School Committee members and (2) members of the Board of Selectmen, in which I was appointed along with Donald Wong. I was the main author of five charter changes that Town Meeting passed in 2010. Question # 2 Town elections would be held every year, increasing election costs to the taxpayers. Yearly voter turn-out might decrease. Voters unhappy with elected officials would not be able to vote an entire board out of office in the next election cycle. The possibility that Selectmen or School Committee officials, not up for re-election, could rally around incumbents having to run for re-election, therefore, potentially making it difficult for a new person running for the first time to get elected. This question was put before Saugus voters in Nov 2013. It was voted down 53% to 47%. Question # 3 YES. Under Massachusetts General Laws and the Town of Saugus By-laws, the Selectmen are the traffic commissioners in the Town of Saugus. Currently, if a resident reports a public safety issue to the Selectman, the Selectmen will refer the issue to the police department for an opinion to rectify the issue. A public hearing will be held if required by law. I believe that this process works very well. As far as public safety issues town-wide, I would support a public safety advisory committee to offer recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. All of the above improves the operation of town government. Vincent Serino, the current School Committee chair: He answered “Yes” on all three questions. 1. The charter is a living, working document that guides how our town operates. It should be reviewed periodically to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our residents and reflects the best practices for effective local governance. 2. Staggered terms would provide better continuity, stability, and consistency in leadership. It ensures that institutional knowledge is preserved while still allowing for regular opportunities for new voices and perspectives. 3. We should always be looking for ways to improve public safety. A standing committee dedicated to identifying concerns and offering recommendations would help ensure that safety issues are addressed proactively and collaboratively across departments. I would start with implementing staggered elections. This approach would provide greater consistency on the boards and committees that oversee our town and schools. Local government issues evolve daily, and having experienced members remain in place after an election helps maintain continuity and ensures that ongoing initiatives don’t lose momentum. By staggering elections, I also believe we would encourage more community engagement. When residents see that their voices can make a difference in a steady and continuous process, participation increases. We need to work together—as a community and as a school system—to move Saugus forward in a positive, collaborative way. I also think our elected officials should hold regular office hours. This would give residents the opportunity to meet with their representatives, share concerns, and discuss ideas in person. Accessibility and open communication are key to building trust and accountability. Another area to focus on is how we administer and plan for state and federal funds. While much of our revenue comes from local taxes, Saugus has done a good job securing grants. However, grants are temporary. Before they expire, we should evaluate their effectiveness and determine how to sustain successful programs within our regular budget. Recurring revenues need to be budgeted thoughtfully so that we can maintain progress from year to year. Finally, we must continue to focus on smart growth. Let’s develop best practices for Route 1 and other major development areas. As we grow, we need to ensure our schools, public safety, and infrastructure can handle that growth. Thoughtful planning will help BOARD OF SELECTMEN | SEE PAGE 14

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