Saugus board approves $8M worth of bond anticipation notes

SAUGUS – Saugus selectmen approved several bond anticipation notes totaling $8 million Tuesday night.These include a $2.6 million renewal from November 2011 to fund a portion of the Route 1 water main project from Lynnfield to Walnut streets and a new fire truck; a $5 million note from March for repairs on the Belmonte Middle School and other capital improvement projects; and a new $585,000 note, which is the final portion of the Route 1 water main project.”This is the remaining portion of that and I’ve been advised that that will complete the project,” said Treasurer/Collector Wendy Hatch.The board continued a permit hearing to allow a second story for 222 Central Storage and voted unanimously to deny a Class II auto dealer’s license for Polo Gas at 50 Hamilton St.”We’ve never approved a Class II auto license to a gas station,” said Selectmen Chairman Michael Serino. “I think if we approve this we’ll have every other gas station wanting one. It’s not the principal business. I don’t want to open the door. I don’t think it serves any purpose to see these located all over town.”Selectman Debra Panetta said she was voting “no” because the station is located next to the Saugus River and has no access to a repair shop.Polo Gas owner George Harb told the board he was just “trying to improve” his business.”I’ve been in business there for 10 years,” said Harb. “My neighbors and customers know me very well. I’m asking for your generosity to help me improve my business.”The board approved a transfer of a Class II auto dealer’s license from Edd’s Auto Exchange to Edd’s Auto Sales, both at 961 Broadway.In other business, the board extended J Pace and Son’s opening date from Dec. 1 to Jan. 31 so owner Joe Pace can finish renovations of its second floor, and rejected a request by Hooters on Route 1 to change its closing hours to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday and to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. However, the board did allow Hooters to remain open until midnight (an extra hour) on Sundays.Saugus resident Bill Kramich commended Town Manager Scott Crabtree and the Department of Public Works for their quick actions after a tree was toppled into a brook on Willow Court during Hurricane Sandy.”If they hadn’t done that everyone up stream would have been flooded,” said Kramich.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].