Governor approves Saugus special election

SAUGUS – Gov. Deval Patrick signed a home-rule petition Monday that gives Saugus authority to hold a special election on June 7.The town requested permission from the state Legislature in order to hold an unscheduled election with a single question on the ballot ? whether to pay for $1.2 million in last winter’s snow and ice removal costs by imposing a one-time special property tax assessment.The Board of Selectmen is scheduled to vote on the matter today.If passed by the voters at the polls, the assessment would amount to approximately $80 per household.Town Manager Andrew Bisignani emphasized the one-time assessment is not the same as a Proposition 2? override because it does not stay on the resident’s property tax bill. He noted police, fire and public safety dispatcher overtime would be slashed if the measure fails, as would various staff positions within the School Department.”The governor has signed the bill and now it will go to the selectmen for their vote,” Bisignani said Monday.The House and Senate passed the measure last Friday after it was heard in committee.