SAUGUS – The Saugus Board of Selectmen welcomed its newest member Tuesday night, and swore in a new chairman and vice-chairman one week after former selectman Scott Crabtree stepped down.The board voted 5-0 to name Michael Serino chairman and Steve Castinetti vice-chairman before taking a few moments to welcome Julie Mitchell as the town?s newest selectman.?When Julie was sworn in on Friday we were all there to welcome her so we?re very happy that you?re on the board,” said selectman Debra Panetta.The first hearing for the new board was from Candy Scurio, regional manager for Work Out World at the Square One Mall, who was seeking a permit to have the fitness center open 24 hours a day seven days a week. Work Out World?s current hours are 6 a.m. to midnight.Town Meeting members Patricia McLaughlin and Janet Leuci, who both live near the mall, spoke in opposition to the extended hours, citing safety issues. However, Square One Mall General Manager Susan Yee said the extended hours would be beneficial to people who don?t work normal 9 to 5 jobs.In the end the board voted unanimously on a compromise to allow the gym to open an hour earlier at 5 a.m.?I?ve never approved any 24 hour businesses unless it was a public necessity like Dunkin? Donuts, gas stations on Route 1, a restaurant or a pharmacy,” said Serino. “I think the board is willing to grant a 5 a.m. to midnight license.”The board also voted unanimously to grant licenses to Victor Grillo to open a restaurant called Victor?s Italian Cuisine at 1539 Broadway and to Robert Osborne to open a self-defense training facility called A House of Self Defense at 508 Lincoln Ave.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].
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