Selectmen to revise citizen input session

SAUGUS – The members of the new Board of Selectmen made good on their intent for change with a discussion of an improved resident comment period at their first regular meeting this week.Newly elected Chairman Ellen Faiella said some of the changes to the citizen comment period of the regular agenda, made in September by former Chairman Michael Serino, would be reversed, including restoring it to the first item on the agenda instead of last.?Most people are not going to leave their home to come to a meeting and sit and wait for a period of time, just to have their say,” said Faiella. As long as it does not interfere with business of the board, Faiella said, Saugus citizens should be heard first.?The most important thing is that people feel they?re being listened to,” said Faiella. “It?s not fair to ask citizens to wait two weeks to get on the next meeting?s agenda because something might have happened in front of their property on the Sunday before a meeting,” she added.As for the former three-minute time period for citizens to speak, Faiella said there may be a limited time frame put in place, but that it would be flexible. “I do not want to cut somebody off in the middle of making a statement,” she said. “That?s very important.”Though Faiella said there are no set guidelines yet for what will be called a “concerned citizens” comment period, they will be adhering to Open Meeting Law. Residents can comment, but cannot expect deliberation or discussion of their comments by the selectmen. There will not be any personnel discussions or personal attacks allowed, said Faiella.Faiella said she doesn?t anticipate any “abusers” of the concerned citizen comment period. “Sometimes I think people just want to get something off their chest.”Selectmen Clerk Wendy Reed confirmed Wednesday that the agenda for the next regular meeting on Nov. 26 already included the concerned citizen comment period at the top of the page.