Winds of change blow in Saugus

SAUGUS – With all votes in and former Chairman Michael Serino and Stephen Horlick off the Saugus Board of Selectmen, an incumbent who was re-elected said voters had “changed Saugus overnight.”?I know they?ve dedicated a lot of time to the town, but I think they lost sight of what they were elected for, and the townspeople recognized it and made changes that were needed,” said Steve Castinetti, who received 2,217 votes or 12.35 percent Tuesday.Of the 17,555 registered voters in Saugus, 4,895, or about 28 percent, cast ballots, according to the town clerk. The newly elected officials are to be sworn in tonight.Challenger Ellen Faiella, who previously served on the Saugus School Committee, topped the selectmen ticket with 2,589 votes, or 14.42 percent.?People wanted to see change,” said Faiella. “They want to see the community be the focus.Both Faiella and Castinetti said the new board would be an opportunity for positive change that would move the town forward, which Castinetti said “would not take a month” to implement.Challengers Maureen Dever and Paul Allan edged out incumbent Julie Mitchell, and challengers Gary Sund and Joshua Greenstein. Dever was second on the ticket with 2,309 votes, making up 12.86 percent.Serino, who according to unofficial results earned 1,675 votes or 9.33 percent, chalked his loss up to a “low voter turnout.”?I don?t think it had to do with any issues,” said Serino. “I wish them all well, I wish them all the best, and I?m always here if they need anything.”Horlick, who earned 1,345 votes or 7.49 percent, said the new board was walking into a positive environment with Town Manager Scott Crabtree and finances “on track.”Horlick said he “did what voters needed me to do,” adding, “The town is better off than it was two years ago.”In the School Committee race, challenger Jeannette Meredith topped the vote with 2,423 votes, or 17.56 percent. Challenger Vincent Serino earned one of the five seats with 1,964 votes or 14.23 percent.Incumbents Arthur Grabowski, Wendy Reed and Corrine Riley were all re-elected to the committee.Longtime committee member Joseph Malone was out of the running.?It?s been a pleasure serving Saugus for seven and a half years,” said Malone after the election. He said the new committee members would do “an outstanding job.”?Things are looking good in the town of Saugus,” said Malone.{{tncms-asset app=”editorial” id=”11d4ecba-469c-11e3-8060-0019bb2963f4″}}{{tncms-asset app=”editorial” id=”319530c8-469c-11e3-8cbf-0019bb2963f4″}}