DiNardo takes last stab at saving forum

SAUGUS-Town Meeting member Al DiNardo made a last ditch effort Tuesday during the Board of Selectmen’s last meeting of the year, asking the board to reconsider its stance of citizens’ forum.The board listened politely, but declined to take the bait.Selectmen voted earlier this month to rework the citizen’s forum portion of their meeting despite, Stephen Horlick and Michael Kelleher’s opposition.Residents who wish to appear before the board must call Wendy Reed, clerk to the selectmen, and ask to be put on the agenda for correspondence.DiNardo likened losing the citizens’ forum to the sign that was once posted next to the railroad tracks near Saugus Center.”It said stop, look and listen,” he said. “Sometimes we have to do that in politics. We have to stop, look and listen. We live in a fast-paced world. Things come and go quickly.”DiNardo said he thought it was a shame that the citizen’s forum had been eliminated and he urged the board to rethink its vote.DiNardo said he believed people were suspicious of government, not the board specifically, but government overall.”And they have a right to be,” he added. “I think you have to have a policy of open door.”DiNardo likened the town to a business, which unlocks its doors in the morning and has employees available to help customers with their problems.”And they should expect no less from this town government,” he said. “I just ask you, sincerely, revisit this issue. It’s unfair.”DiNardo reminded Selectmen of their recent discussions regarding the closure of the Essex Street Fire Station. Firefighter Union President William Cross had been watching the meeting at home and came down to respond.Without public forum however, DiNardo said there would be no mechanism in place for Cross to jump into the meeting.”Sometimes waiting a week or two is just not right,” he said.