Trust the topic for new pols in Saugus

SAUGUS – Candidates for the Board of Selectmen had their say Monday during the Chamber of Commerce’s candidates’ forum, but it wasn’t until the end that their real feelings came out.Five newcomers and four incumbents fielded questions from moderator Paul Delios on everything from solving the town’s financial crisis to suggestions on what to offer the children of the community. In the end, the candidates were given three minutes to state their case for election. Bringing back trust was a popular theme and disappointment in the current board was clear, particularly in the newcomers’ statements.Robert McCarthy asked residents if they were satisfied with the direction the town, the state of its finances and school system, and if they thought the town was better off than it was two years ago.He said as an attorney for 24 years he has learned to solve seemingly unsolvable problems and his Marine Corps background taught him just how to attack those problems.”If we ignore our problems we’re destined to lose,” he said. “But if we attack them we surely will win.”Incumbent Michael Kelleher reminded voters that he has consistently voted against instituting trash fees, raising sewer rates and taxes and that he is all about creating funding venues that don’t impact taxpayers.He also took his wrap up time to squelch a rumor that his family is moving, despite the Dumpster in his yard.”We moved here nine years ago and we’re staying,” he said. “We’re in this for the long haul. We’re not moving.”Newcomer Sean Maltais confidently told voters he had no doubts that he is the best candidate for the job of selectmen. Restoring trust, economic strength and living up to residents’ expectations of principled and practical leadership were his main goals.Maltais said he believed electing a candidate that worked in the private sector and understood the decisions that needed to be made daily in that world was important and he could provide that role model.”I believe passionately that we can have a better town and I know I am your best choice for selectman,” he said.Incumbent Michael Serino warned his competition that there is no easy solution to the town’s financial woes, but he could promise to be a fair and responsible selectman and that he had clear ideas. He also reminded voters that he, too, hears their concerns regarding tax increases and promised to work with the state legislature to develop more revenue opportunities for cities and towns and to work to attract well planned businesses to the area.Newcomer Donald Wong said he hopes to entice colleges and universities to add grant writing, for Saugus specifically, into their curriculum. Wong said it would cost the town nothing and in the end might gain the town much needed grants.”We need unity and pride,” he added. “We need to cut out the negativity.”Incumbent Peter Rossetti took a different tack in his closing speech and, instead of focusing on the town’s woes, focused on a few positives. While he took responsibility for supporting and pushing the override, he also noted that in the last two years the board has developed a plan and begun an attack on fixing the town’s aged sewer system and developed a cable television system.”I was asked, ‘Who do I most admire,” he said. “You people. You’re here tonight, you care . . . when Saugus asks for help you help.”Incumbent Stephen Horlick also took a different tack, but instead of focusing on the positive, Horlick focused solely on the Town Manager Andrew Bisignani. He said while going door-to-door campaigning, the number one issue he heard was concern over how Bisignani was running the town. He said the main reason he would like to see a Charter Commission formed is so the rule of needing four selectmen to hire and three to fire a town manager could be changed.He faulted Bisignani for failing to meet with Selectmen over financial issues twice, only to find weeks later that there was a deficit due to healthcare costs.He also said that he would like to see who