New faces to ring in new year for Saugus

SAUGUS – A shift in the balance of power on the Board of Selectmen could mean much change for Saugus policies moving into the new year.Heading toward the election in November, tension was rising among board members as the votes seemed to be cast in a familiar 3-2 pattern, with Chairman Michael Serino, Stephen Horlick and Debra Panetta voting together versus Steve Castinetti and Julie Mitchell. The struggle peaked in early October, when Serino launched an investigation against Castinetti, claiming the selectman was pressuring town residents to buy the Yellow Book ads he sells for a living in return for political favors. The investigation led to a Town Meeting article that would penalize all elected and appointed officials for violating conflict of interest laws.Castinetti made waves in opposition of Town Manager Scott Crabtree?s choice to award a contract for services to American Ambulance instead of Cataldo Ambulance, the company that had been based in Saugus for 14 years but without a contract since 2007.Castinetti called the process “fishy” after the announcement in October, and two months later accused Crabtree of “misleading” the board when leasing the old Hamilton Street fire station to American.On election night Nov. 6, voters had their say when they chose fresh faces on the board, voting Serino, Horlick and Mitchell off and casting the highest number of votes for newcomers Ellen Faiella and Maureen Dever, who became chairman and vice chairman. Political rookie Paul Allan also joined the board.Since election night the new board has called for more transparency, as expressed by citizens of Saugus when they voted for Saugus Community Television to return to its community-owned origin, a vote that had many talking of “a new Saugus” as the numbers came in at Town Hall on election night. The board has yet to rule on this non-binding vote. As one of her first acts as chairman, Faiella brought back more opportunities for citizen comment on each agenda.Town Meeting experienced its own change as Robert Long stepped down from his post as town moderator after 18 years. Steve Doherty took up the position at the Special Town Meeting on Nov. 16. The body experienced another loss with the death of Janet Leucci, the longtime town activist who lost her battle to cancer late in the year.Saugus boards could have much on their plate in 2014. The Planning Board has yet to make a recommendation on the Historic Mill District Overlay Plan, the Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Health will need to make a plan for a possible medical marijuana facility when the moratorium lifts, and the Hilltop Steak House and Weylu?s property leave much to citizens? imagination as to what might end up replacing the landmark restaurants.And with the town sitting on $2 million of free cash, Crabtree has plans for the economic development of Saugus. That is, he implied at a recent development seminar, if Town Meeting and the boards don?t impede progress first.