THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, December 6, 2019 Page 3 Serving one master at Town Meeting Proposal would bar elected town officials from obtaining town jobs while in office By Mark E. Vogler T own Meeting Member Peter Manoogian has submitted an article for the 2020 Annual Town Meeting that would prohibit Saugus elected officials from obtaining town employment or contracts during their term of office. If approved by a majority of Town Meeting members, it would need to pass the Massachusetts House and the Senate and be signed by the governor in order to become effective. This would amend the Saugus Special Act Charter to include this new language: “Upon Adoption by the Saugus Town Meeting no member of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Finance Committee or Town Meeting shall hold any compensated town office, position or employment for which a salary or emolument is payable from the town treasury nor be eligible to enter into a contractual relationship for goods and services with the Town of Saugus for one year following the date on which such former member’s service on the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Finance Committee, or Town Meeting has terminated.” Manoogian submitted his proposed article at Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting. There was no discussion on the measure, which is expected to draw considerable debate next year. “In my campaign announcement I indicated I would be filing legislation to address this situation which has always existed, but has become increasSt. Margaret’s Christmas Stroll is coming soon! T his year’s Christmas Stroll is only few weeks away. On Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s (431 Lincoln Ave., Saugus), we will be serving a meatball sub lunch, and on Sunday, December 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., we will be serving breakfast. There will also be 40+ raffles, baked goods and Christmas gifts for you to purchase. Join us for a fun weekend! If you have any questions, please call Carol at 781-233-1040 or email her at cnadeau@sauguscatholics.org. ingly common with this administration,” Manoogian wrote in an email yesterday to The Saugus Advocate, referring to Town Meeting members getting hired by the administration of Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. “In particular, I have seen the effect it has had on two separate school committees. The public expects that those they elect will be serving only one master – them,” Manoogian said. The article as submitted would not prevent existing town employees from becoming public officers, according to Manoogian. It is by no means a practice that is unique only to local government under Crabtree, according to Manoogian, who is a veteran of more than three decades in local elected government. “You have asked me about the distinction between a current town employee running for office and a current elected office holder or finance committee member obtaining town employment or a town contract. The answer is both substantive and technical,” Manoogian wrote. “Substantively, the voters know or have the opportunity to learn the background of a candidate, including their employment, during the election process. The voters have no way of knowing if a potential office holder will seek or be offered a job during their term of office,” he said. “The Charter Change does not preclude anyone from seeking a town job or contract. It simply states that there must be a one year cooling off period before one does. The one year clock would start upon the end of the person’s term or upon resignation,” he said. “Employees that are elected to the office of selectman or school committee must adhere to state laws and ethics commission guidelines. There is a voluntary code of conduct that some employee members of Town Meeting adhere to. “Technically, it would require two separate charter change provisions to accomplish both a prohibition on employees seeking office and elected officials from seeking employment. The two cannot nor should not be conflated in the language of a town charter based on the advice the most recent Saugus Charter Commission received in 2009.” Eastern bank Bldg. Rt-1 605 Broadway, #301 Saugus, MA 01906 781-233-6844 www.bostonnorthdental.com Dr. Priti Amlani Dr. Bruce Goldman Dr. Bhavisha Patel Full mouth Rehabilitation Before After We Now Offer For Your Eating Pleasure “UBER EATS” Convenient Delivery Service Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Full Menu To Go Renzo’s Entertainment Schedule 7:30 p.m. Wed: DJ George * Thurs: Vinyl Groove, Fri: Joey Canzano * Sat: Billy Pezzulo, Sunday: DJ George 381 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere 781-284-5600
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