Church wins bidding process for former Saugus tool shop property

SAUGUS – The muted sounds of the machine shop that once rang from Eastern Tool could soon become those of hymn songs and church bells.The property that has been at the center of speculation for residents and town officials alike went to auction last week and, according to Town Manager Andrew Bisignani, the winning bidder is a church.The property has stood empty for several years and while a number of companies have made inquiries the neighbors dislodged most of the notion they would be welcome guests in a community already home to Wheelabrator, the trash to energy plant, an auto parts business and General Electric.Recent rumors had a grocery store moving onto the property. Last year JRM Trash Hauling and Recycling Services looked into the possibility of expanding there but neighbors quickly squashed that idea. Along with protesting the plan with the Board of Selectmen the neighbors, who banded together quickly, got a bylaw passed that would prohibit any type of trash company moving in.Next Lightening Express was fast tracked out of town when the board denied it a permit because it wanted to house 30 vehicles. In May, after Greater Lynn Senior Services made overtures regarding the property and were shot down by residents, the board met with the neighborhood to hear their collective thoughts on what they would like to see on the property.Richard Barry said simply something that did not require a special permit, which could in fact be a church.The property is zoned I-1 industrial, which includes a wide range of options from community facilities to municipal parking lots or structures to retail businesses as well as storage facilities, restaurants, hotels, motels, light manufacturing and even a swimming pool.Selectman Peter Rossetti said a church could also fall under that zone and no special permit would be needed. However, if the church seeks to open a nursery or school that could be another story.Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian, who represents the precinct and lives just up the road from Eastern Tool, said at first blush a church sounds fine.”They promote peace, harmony and love, right?” he asked. “They don’t operate 24 hours a day, there’s no diesel, no trash trucks and they’ll certainly take care of the property.”While Bisignani lamented the church comes at the cost of $65,000 on tax revenue, Manoogian argued that wasn’t technically true.”The value of the property is still on the books so total commercial class will still have its total value, it will just get distributed over one fewer business,” he said.Rossetti said that’s true unless other businesses go under, which would shrink the pie.