Saugus listens to residents at public forum

SAUGUS – Residents are invited to come out and grumble tonight and actually have town officials listen at the Charter Commission’s first public forum.The forum, 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall auditorium, is a chance for residents to voice their opinion on what they feel works and doesn’t work in terms of town government.According to Chairman Peter Manoogian, the commission is in the diagnostic stage of its charge, which is to review the town’s charter and offer recommendations to alter, amend or rewrite the document if the commission feels it is warranted. Any final decisions on charter changes will eventually go to the voters.As part of the review process Manoogian said the commission is required to hold several public forums, which he considers crucial to the commissions task.”Public comment will be examined and collated to provide the commission with context prior to developing proposals for change,” he said.Town Moderator Robert Long and Selectman Michael Kelleher said they would both attend the meeting to voice their views.”Oh, I have a lot to say,” Kelleher said with a laugh.Long said he, too, had a number of opinions regarding changes he would like to see, but that doesn’t include altering the status of Town Meeting.”I think there should be changes,” he said. “There are things not working but I like Town Meeting. It does work.”Long said he believes Town Meeting members are more in tune with the pulse of the public than any other politician or town official. He also is also in favor of keeping the Finance Committee as is.Manoogian said he is hoping more than just town officials come out for the chat-fest.He said the commission wants to hear from all residents and taxpayers as well as elected and appointed officials.