New Saugus board outlines objectives

SAUGUS – The Saugus Economic Development Committee is starting to take shape after members approved a mission statement Monday night and went over a draft list of goals and objectives.The mission of the EDC will be to work “proactively to promote, encourage and facilitate the development of responsible and properly planned business and industrial growth within the community in order to expand and strengthen the local economy and diversify the community?s tax base.”The statement goes on to say that the EDC will develop policies and initiatives, and recommend zoning changes to “guide future economic development of Saugus” by working closely with town officials, town boards, residents and the business communities.The committee, which is made up of Town Meeting members, first met on May 22 to discuss ideas and issues the committee should look at.Robert Luongo, the town?s new economic development coordinator, went over the draft objectives with the committee, which he referred as its “war plan.”?This will give us almost like a war plan of what we want to get accomplished?” said Luongo. “Goals and objectives can always be revisited. They?re not static. It?s a revolving type of thing.”Some of the goals include establishing a presence on the town website, visiting employers to see what their needs are, connecting with regional and state economic development offices, assisting in attracting services, housing, recreation and entertainment, and working with businesses in Cliftondale Square and Saugus Center on a Main Street Initiative.”?There are some rough spots down there, clearly,” said Luongo of Cliftondale Square. “I walked Jackson Street and looked at some of the parking. It?s a shame that a church parking spot has no cars in there. It?s a great opportunity in the day time and it?s not being used.”The committee also discussed other areas of town like the waterfront and vacant land on Route 1 as places to be developed, and discussed reaching out to area realtors to see what needs they have.?What can we do to help you? What information can we provide?” asked Luongo. “I think that would be worthwhile to do that. We could have a brokers? breakfast in the morning ? have the Town Manager say a few words and then have the brokers say what the issues are.”Before adjourning, the committee agreed to hold its next meeting in August for a “visioning session” for the waterfront area at Fox Hill Yacht Club.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].