Swearing in marks history in Saugus

SAUGUS – No one could say if it was actually unprecedented, but it was certainly a historic moment when three women were sworn in Wednesday as members of the newest Board of Selectmen.Incumbent Debra Panetta, along with Ellen Faiella, Maureen Dever, incumbent Steve Castinetti and political newcomer Paul Allan, were sworn in by Town Clerk Joanne Rappa Wednesday, just one day after residents sent what Faiella called a clear message for change. “I really look forward to moving Saugus forward with my new board of friends,” said Panetta.The quintet has a history. Panetta and Faiella have both served on the School Committee. Dever and Allan have served together on Town Meeting. Panetta and Faiella have also served on Town Meeting, and Castinetti, Panetta and Dever have each served as selectmen.During the brief organizational meeting that followed the swearing in, Faiella, who as the top vote-getter took the chairman’s seat, didn’t give it up after her colleagues voted her in unanimously as chairman. Dever became emotional when she was voted in, also unanimously, as vice-chairman.It wasn’t long ago that Dever vowed never again to run for selectman. She served one term on the board but was ousted in 2005 after a campaign marred by anonymous hate mail and a negative ad blitz aimed at unseating her.”I swore I would never run again and I meant it,” she said. “But when I saw people who were not being allowed to speak ? I thought I would just start a conversation but it took off.”Dever compared the new board to a window being opened and said she was excited at the prospect of serving with her fellow selectmen.”I think you have a board that will truly work well together,” she said. “It won’t be easy, it never is.”Castinetti thanked his supporters for “not falling into the trap of nonsense” that had played out over the last two years.”That chapter is closed folks,” he said. “I look at this board and there are a whole lot of new faces but new faces that will do the right thing.”School Committee members Wendy Reed, Jeanette Meredith and Corrine Riley were also sworn in, as was Housing Authority member William Stewart.State Sen. Thomas McGee stopped by to wish each of the new selectmen and School Committee members good luck in their new venture. Dever said each board member had also received a congratulatory call from Rep. John Tierney earlier in the day as well.Although the meeting was largely ceremonial and no “work” could be done, Dever asked her colleagues to consider taking up the issue of citizens forum during the board’s first meeting Tuesday.”I think it’s very important ? and perhaps next week we can begin a conversation,” she said.