Saugus charter board reviews election changes

SAUGUS – The Saugus Town Meeting Charter Committee is trying to hammer out details for holding staggered elections.Saugus is the only town in Massachusetts where every seat for selectmen and school committee comes up for a vote at the same time, and Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian said having staggered elections will provide “stability in government.””It will put an end to these huge pendulum swings,” said Manoogian.Committee members met last month and decided to research how other towns and cities hold elections. On Wednesday the committee looked at the results of their search.”They’re basically all staggered anyway,” said chairman Peter Rossetti. “They all seem to have between six and 10 precincts, and between three and seven selectmen.”The committee also discussed an ethics issue after selectmen Chairman Michael Serino and selectman Stephen Horlick resigned from the committee.”The issue seems to be, if a board member from either the school committee or board of selectmen was receiving a monetary stipend, because they could recommend a term be extended for that board, they could wind up with a financial windfall because they’re getting an extra year,” said Rossetti.Charter committee member Corinne Riley said she checked with the Ethics Commission and received a ruling saying it’s not a concern because the committee is only making a recommendation to Town Meeting. There would also have to be a public vote to instate staggered elections.The committee discussed possible problems with having staggered elections, including what would happen if elections were changed to the spring, what would happen if someone stepped down from office and how a runner up would be decided.”What is common, you have a next runner up is the person filling that vacancy and serves until the next election,” said Manoogian.Charter committee member Wendy Reed said she wants to survey Saugus residents to see what they would prefer.”Would they be in favor of spring or fall and what term of office would they like town officials to serve?” asked Reed. “I think it’s important people know that we’re talking about a potential change from fall to spring.”Committee members will further research local elections from other towns to develop questions for residents. The committee will meet again Nov. 5.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].