Saugus wants public input on waterfront development

SAUGUS – Saugus residents will have a chance to voice their opinion on what they think the future should be for the waterfront area in East Saugus.The Saugus Economic Development Committee will hold a meeting at the Fox Hill Yacht Club on Monday at 7 p.m. to “solicit ideas and receive input on how to make the Saugus waterfront area a better place to live, work and recreate,” according to a letter from Town Manager Scott Crabtree.Economic Development Coordinator Robert Luongo said Wednesday that all Saugus residents are welcomed.?Basically the meeting is really to listen to the public and the residents in the neighborhood and any other stakeholders and get them to tell us what they see as any opportunities and how the waterfront should develop in the future,” said Luongo.Luongo said the main focus of the meeting will be to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the waterfront.?Obviously it?s located on the Saugus River, it can offer a lot of recreational uses, boating uses, commercial fishing ? We want them really to tell us what they see as a vision for the waterfront,” said Luongo. “The idea is, we?re trying to structure a planning process so we can come up with some achievable goals and objectives for the waterfront. But before we get to that stage, we really need to go through this process.”Luongo said he has “no preconceived notions” about the waterfront and wants the meeting to be a way to generate ideas “from the community up.”?My role will really be to listen and maybe make some suggestions,” he said. “This process is really from the ground up ? It?s not about what I want, it?s about what the neighborhood and stakeholders and the town is really interested in.”One area Luongo mentioned could be looked at is the site of the old Atlantic Lobster building on Route 107, which has been vacant and dilapidated for years.?Are their opportunities to redevelop that,” asked Luongo. “If so what type of uses would we like to see over there?Luongo said the town has actively been promoting the meeting with mailings and robocalls and is hoping for a good turnout Monday.?Hopefully that will bring a lot of people,” he said.