Saugus capital repair project hinges on Special Town Meeting vote

SAUGUS – Town Manager Scott Crabtree is hoping a $1.2 million borrowing article for the next Special Town Meeting will help revitalize the Cliftondale neighborhood of Saugus.Crabtree put forward the article to redo the road and sidewalks on Lincoln Avenue going from Cliftondale Square to the Revere line.?This is a project that has been in the works for probably a year-and-a-half now,” said Crabtree. “It was brought to Town Meeting a year ago and was referred to the next special. In the meantime I had taken over as manager and at the time, with the financial issues, I felt it was prudent not to put a borrowing article until we knew where we were with the forensic audit.”Crabtree said the project includes “full reclamation” of the entire roadway with new granite curbing, ramps for wheelchair users, crosswalks and new castings, such as manhole covers and grates. The project will also include minor improvements to drainage, he said.?The project was originally for less work on the roadway, and Town Meeting had requested to look at doing the roadway correctly like the Hamilton Street project,” said Crabtree. “The engineers looked at it and suggested that we go that route. Down on the end of Lincoln Avenue there aren?t even any sidewalks. If you?ve ever driven the roadway, it?s a wreck.”Crabtree said it still needs to be determined how much of Lincoln Avenue will be included, but noted the project will go a long way toward improving the town?s infrastructure.?As you can see from the Hamilton Street project, this will not only deal with economic development to attract businesses to the Cliftondale area, but to also protect and increase property values going into Revere,” said Crabtree. “It?s also a public safety issue with the roadway. As you can see it?s been patched over a year ago with the anticipation that this project was going to go forward.”The Board of Selectmen called a Special Town Meeting for Nov. 19 and the article will need a vote of two thirds to pass.Crabtree said the project is part of an overall capital improvement plan for Saugus that he said is a priority for him and the selectmen.?You?re looking at a project that will probably last 50 years,” said Crabtree. “This is sort of a change in philosophy in terms of doing things and the way we look at things ? in terms of doing things and doing them right. This is something that?s going to be tangible that we?re investing in and it?s an opportunity.”Selectmen Chairman Michael Serino said the project needs to be done because Cliftondale Square is the “gateway to the community.”?If you go down there now it?s really in rough shape,” said Serino. “The road hasn?t been done in years. It?s all bumpy and torn up.”Serino said the portion of Lincoln Avenue near Ballard Street is also slated to be repaired, but that will be done using state aid.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].