THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021 Page 11 A public evaluation of the manager Crabtree gets “great” grades for the town’s fi nancial situation By Mark E. Vogler T he Board of Selectmen assembled last week – just fi ve days before the town election – for a public evaluation of Town Manager Scott Crabtree. The selectmen, who met for about a half hour with Crabtree, all gave rave reviews on how the town has prospered in fi scal affairs under the town manager’s leadership. “Our town is in great fi nancial condition,” Selectman Debra Panetta said during last week’s session, which was held in the fi rst fl oor conference room at Town Hall. “I like the way Scott works with the Finance Committee and Town Meeting,” she said. “Overall, our town manager has done a great job,” Panetta said. “I don’t think anybody can dispute the fi nancial shape the town is in,” Selectman Michael J. Serino said. He noted the $10 million stabilization fund, $4 million in free cash, the AA-plus bond rating and the grant money that the town has been receiving because of Crabtree’s management. Selectman Corinne Riley hailed completion of the school building projects, and the administrative consent order and the overall fi scal management as major achievements by Crabtree and his staff . At the same time, selectmen made it clear that the town manager does have his shortcomings. They mentioned that he could do a better job in the area of communications. For instance, Panetta said she would prefer to learn about town issues before she gets to read about them in the paper. Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini and other selectmen said there’s defi - nitely room to improve communications to town residents. But the town manager has demonstrated himself to be responsive while taking prompt action on issues that have been brought to his attention. And at a time when many communities are challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, Saugus has been fl ourishing in its fi scal aff airs, according to Cicolini. In fact, Crabtree has excelled in initiating measures which have enabled the community to meet some of the COVID-19 challenges. He’s gone out and gotten help and other resources to protect the community from COVID-19, he said. Based on the town’s overall sound fi nancial condition, Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony W. Cogliano Sr. said Crabtree deserves a contract extension and has the town moving in the right direction. Cogliano would like to have monthly sessions with Crabtree to work on improving communications with the public. The Savings Bank hosts webinar on “Taking the Mystery out of a Company Retirement Plan” W akefield, Mass. – Taking the Mystery out of a Company Retirement Plan Including the Impact of the Current Financial Market will be the topic of the upcoming webinar presented by The Savings Bank (TSB) for customers and the public on Wednesday, November 17, beginning at 7 p.m. The webinar will be conducted by Andrew DiNuccio, Investment Officer and Manager of the 401(k) program at First Financial Trust, a TSB subsidiary. Andrew will share his knowledge and experience of the regulatory and fi nancial considerations involved in the 401(k) business, including his management of 401(k) departments and Saugus man sentenced for drug and fi rearm off enses A Saugus man was sentenced on Monday, Oct. 25 for drug and fi rearm off enses. Vinicius Teixeira, a/k/a “Vinny,” 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dennis Saylor IV to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. On Sept. 14, Teixeira pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including marijuana and psilocyn, and being a user of controlled substances in possession of a fi rearm and ammunition. In March 2019, a search of Teixeira’s residence recovered at least one kilogram of marijuana, more than 400 grams of mushrooms (dry) containing psilocyn, drug traffi cking paraphernalia and an American Tactical 9mm semiautomatic pistol containing 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition. his work with business owners to help them fi nd the best investment solution for their employees. He has also helped guide employees in customizing retirement plans to fi t their specific needs and risk tolerance. Andrew will present an overview of the fi nancial market in 2021 to date, factors aff ecting recent and future markets – including infl ation, political landscape, China, supply chain crunch, and cybersecurity – and expectations for the fi nancial market in 2022. He will also review what to look for in setting up a new 401(k) plan, and how to potentially lower costs and increase benefi ts on an existing 401(k) plan. Webinar topics will include diff erent capacities you can select your retirement plan advisor to act in, the diff erences and benefi ts of a 3(38) and 3(21) advisor, the constantly shifting ERISA landscape and how a fi duciary investment advisor can take the challenging burden off a business owner, and the tax benefi ts employers and employees receive by investing into a defi ned contribution retirement plan and how your retirement plan advisor works directly with your tax advisor to ensure you are taking full advantage of these benefi ts. Participants will have the ability to ask questions during the presentation. Participants can sign up with Andrew at the conclusion of the webinar to review an existing plan and see if costs can be reduced or an investment strategy can be modifi ed – or work through the benefi ts of starting a 401(k) plan. To register for the November 17th webinar, or for information regarding future topics, email marketing@tsbawake24.com. Established in 1869, The Savings Bank, which is headquartered in Wakefi eld, Mass., is a $675 million community bank with offi ces in Wakefi eld, Lynnfi eld, North Reading, Andover and Methuen. Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 63 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
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