Saugus board OKs 23 articles for warrant

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen voted to accept 23 articles for this year’s Annual Town Meeting warrant Monday night at Town Hall.Two of these articles were submitted by Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian, one which seeks to establish a five-person charter committee to look at establishing staggered elections, and another which seeks to eliminate the town buying back employees’ sick leave and accrued vacation pay.That article states: “any person hired by the town of Saugus after the date of enactment of this bylaw shall not receive compensation up to termination, retirement or resignation for unused sick days, personal days or vacation days.”Manoogian said the article would not affect any collective bargaining agreement or current contracts.”(That money) is a position,” said Manoogian. “That’s a fireman, it’s a policeman, it’s a teacher. I just want to start a conversation on this one.”School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed also submitted a pair of articles, one to see if the town will appropriate money for asbestos abatement at the Belmonte Middle School and another to see if the town will fund “additional remodeling” at the Belmonte School.Reed said the second article would act as a “place holder” if no additional money is left over for project alternates once bids are returned in May.Reed pointed to the gym floor, which she said is patched with plywood, and the gym bleachers, which are condemned, as two areas the Massachusetts School Building Authority will not reimburse.”They considered (the bleachers) neglect of the town,” said Reed. “They won’t pay for neglect of maintenance.”Reed said the bleachers would cost between $40,000 to $50,000 to fix.The board also voted to accept an article from the Affordable Housing Trust to see if the town will create a bylaw regulating the security and maintenance of abandoned and dilapidated homes.Town Manager Scott Crabtree submitted 17 articles, one of which will see if the town will vote for money to fund upgrades to municipal software and technology.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].