Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEMbEr 21, 2025 Calling for a legal clarification Attorney General approves Town Meeting marijuana article, but recommends further review by town counsel to determine whether a ballot vote is necessary By Mark E. Vogler S tate Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s Office recently approved a Town Meeting article that would limit the number of marijuana establishments within the Business Highway Sustainable District (BHSD) to two businesses – one on each side of Route 1. TOWN ELECTION | FROM PAGE 1 But after months of review to determine whether Article 21 – which was approved 42-0 during the Annual Town Meeting in May – complied with state law, the attorney general has recommended further legal review by Town Counsel. “We approve the amendments adopted under Article 21 but offer comments for the Town’s consideration til this year so she could have time to raise a family. “It’s nothing personal. It’s just Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net regarding whether a ballot vote is needed as a result of these amendments,” wrote Assistant Attorney General Nicole B. Caprioli, Deputy Director of the Attorney General’s Municipal Law Unit, in a letter to Town Clerk Ellen Schena. “The Town should consult with Town Counsel regarding the scope of the amendment to determine whethfor peace of mind. I just wanted to make sure that there were no mistakes,” Brazis said, explaining her reason for seeking the recount. The successful recount of 2015 Requests for recounts aren’t uncommon in Saugus or area communities. “I have had many recounts here in Saugus as well as assisted recounts in other communities, Middleton, Georgetown and Gloucester,” Schena said. But Schena said it’s been rare when a recount actually changed the result in a recent Saugus election. “Just once,” Schena said. er a ballot vote is required,” Caprioli wrote. Caprioli mentioned some technical aspects of the warrant article that need to be clarified. “It is not clear whether the limitation in Section 22.4.A limiting marijuana retail establishments in the BHSD to no more than two results in a limit on marijuana retailers in just the BHSD or in the entire Town,” “It was my very first recount in 2015, for Town Meeting,” she said. Schena was referring to the Town Election of 2015 when nine candidates ran for the five Town Meeting seats in Precinct 8. The seeds for a recount were planted when Arthur Grabowski relinquished his seat to serve on the School Committee after that election. Michael Coller, the sixth-place finisher, appeared ready to fill the vacancy. But Thomas Traverse, who finished in the seventh position – just a vote behind Coller’s 145 total, sought a recount. A recount produced surprise results. Neither Coller nor Traverse benefited. Coller’s vote Caprioli noted in her letter to the town. “It is also not clear whether, if the limitation applies to the entire Town, the limitation results in a limit on the number of marijuana retailers to ‘fewer than 20 per cent of the number of licenses issued within the town for the CLARIFICATION | SEE PAGE 7 total decreased by nine to 136. Traverse stayed at 144 votes. Steve Horlick – the eighth place finisher – jumped from 142 votes to 148 to win the vacant seat in Precinct 8. The Town Election of 2015 was one of those rare years when an election outcome was overturned by a recount. That was the same year when Wallace and Brazis – a 19-yearold candidate – were elected to their first terms on Town Meeting. Both were reelected in 2017. Brazis decided not to run again – until this year. Meanwhile, Wallace – who has recorded perfect attendance during his time as a Town Meeting member representing Precinct 5 – was poised to begin his sixth term before Brazis requested a recount. Long didn’t want a recount There could have been another recount following the Election Day results. Veteran Town Meeting Member Robert J. Long lost by just two votes to Joseph Nicolas DiFilippo for the fifth seat in Precinct 4. “I could have requested a recount. A number of people wanted me to do that,” said Long, who has been involved in Saugus local government as an elected official or a volunteer appointed to various boards since 1979. “Considering the low voter turnout, I figured maybe it’s time to let it go. I really didn’t want to go forward with a recount. The votes are official as posted, as far as I’m concerned. TOWN ELECTION | SEE PAGE 6
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