Kids party a hot potato for Saugus

SAUGUS – Selectman Stephen Horlick said he doesn?t see any problem with Town Manager Scott Crabtree holding a party for his son at the Saugus Public Safety building Friday.?That?s what the room was made for,” said Horlick, who noted he “doesn?t know anywhere” where it says a Saugus resident can?t use that room. “That community room is used for any organization or any individual of the town of Saugus to use that room for either meetings or an event as long as the date and time and what you?re going to use it for is cleared by the department. The Boy Scouts use it all the time, the Cable Commission uses it and other people use it too.”Crabtree said in an emailed statement that his son celebrated his fifth birthday in the community room Friday with about 12 children from his pre-school and their parents. Crabtree said the children toured the Police and Fire departments, and had an “interesting lesson” from an off-duty firefighter.?As with other family and group events that are held in this room and other public meeting rooms such as the Senior Center, Town Hall, the American Legion building and the library, the event was scheduled at a time that would not interfere with official use of the room,” he said. “The children came away with a better understanding of public safety, and hopefully other parents and groups will continue to avail themselves of the opportunity to use this facility and others within the town in a fun and educational manner.”Selectmen Chairman Michael Serino said town buildings are open to the public and to his knowledge, “no one has ever been denied use” of town buildings.?I know the Cub Scouts do tours of police and fire ?” said Serino. “To my knowledge there?s been no policy on that. I think the department heads authorize use of buildings. I?ve been on the board 10 years, and I know Steve Castinetti called me this morning upset about it, but I?ve never had any complaints of anybody using the community rooms.”Castinetti declined to comment Monday, but Town Moderator Robert Long said public officials need to “exercise a lot of care and caution in what we do here.”?I think in Saugus, public officials are most respected when they?re seen by the public as not having anymore advantages than the rest of us are,” said Long. “We already have a town that has some very strong opinions from several groups of people. Stuff like this just continues to fuel the fire that some people enjoy perks others don?t have. I know it?s just a child?s party ? I really wish the whole thing hasn?t been picked up on.”Saugus Police Chief Dominic DiMella referred any questions regarding the party to Crabtree.In his email, Crabtree cited the recent tree lighting ceremony as indicating “that Saugus children and families are interested and proud of the resources we have,” and noted the town is planning a children?s movie matinee on Feb. 23 in the Town Hall Auditorium.?I would encourage others to make use of the community room and other public facilities within our Town,” he said. “They belong to all of us.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].