Saugus town employees gather for cookout

SAUGUS – Saugus Town Hall may close at noon on Fridays, but town workers were more than happy to stay late Friday for an employee cookout.”It’s just an end-of-the-summer get together for the town employees,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “A lot of people put in a lot of hard work putting this together. I just wanted to bring the community together with their families for the end of the summer and be in a different environment where it’s not always high strung and full of anxiety.”More than 50 people gathered behind Town Hall where folding tables, chairs, awnings, grills and even a DJ were set up for the afternoon.Crabtree singled out Town Clerk Joanne Rappa, administrative assistant for the Board of Health Charlene Berridge and his chief administrative aide Susan Dunn for putting the event together.Rappa and Berridge combined to make 25 pounds of potato salad, which was just one of many dishes lined up on a series of long folding tables. Rappa said it’s been “years” since town employees had a cookout like Friday’s.”The Town Manager put it out there what can we do to have a little celebration and put everyone back on gear and start having fun again,” said Rappa. “We’re going to do events throughout the year and I already have the Christmas party planned. We just wanted to bring everyone back together after what the town has been through over the last year.”Selectman Stephen Horlick manned a pair of grills as he served up hot dogs, hamburgers and sausages.”It’s a nice turnout and it’s nice to see the town employees here enjoying themselves,” said Horlick.By 2:30 p.m. most of the food, including trays of pasta salad, seafood salad, peppers and onions and chicken wings, was gone as people sat around talking and laughing, while some played bean bag toss off to the side.For dessert, dozens of cupcakes sat next to a giant white sheet cake with the words “Saugus Someplace Special” emblazoned in red.Public Health Director Frank Giacalone, Trash and Recycling Coordinator Lorna Cerbone, selectmen Steve Castinetti, Julie Mitchell and Debra Panetta, Town Counsel John Vasapolli and interim Department of Public Works Director James Waugh were all on hand Friday. Even former Fire Chief James Blanchard made an appearance.Police Chief Domenic Dimella said the cookout was a great way to bring the town together and noted he’s looking forward for more to come.”I hope it’s the first annual,” said Dimella.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].