Saugus selectmen move up meeting time

SAUGUS – Selectmen voted to change their regular meeting time to 7 p.m. despite objections from Selectman Debra Panetta, who said she would be unable to make it on time.Selectman Steve Castinetti asked to continue the discussion that started at their last meeting in December, when a member of the board proposed to change the time from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. to be more in line with the rest of the town?s boards that meet at that time. Panetta had said at that earlier meeting that she could not make a 7 p.m. meeting time because it was difficult for her working in Boston.Panetta reiterated her previous comments at the meeting Tuesday, adding that it would be difficult for other Saugus residents who worked in the city to make the 7 p.m. meeting time.?I would really like to be here on time, I would not like to be late,” said Panetta. “Unless I leave work early, I won?t be able to vote on the minutes.”Chairman Ellen Faiella said the change would be beneficial to residents because the meetings would end earlier. She added that she, too, used to work in Cambridge, and understood “occasions where we all have to rush a little,” but said she noticed at other times Panetta had made other meetings in Saugus that had started at 6 p.m., why couldn?t she make two meetings a month??I?m trying to be respectful of everybody?s position,” said Faiella. “We all have things we all have going on in our lives ? but our goal is to take care of the business of our community.Panetta said on any other day she could leave work early, but on Tuesdays she has meetings that are out of her control to change.?I will make one comment,” she said, “If it was one of you who couldn?t make it, I would not be voting in favor of changing the meeting time if it would create havoc in your lives.”No other board member spoke on the subject. They voted in favor of the change on a 4-1 vote, with Panetta voting no.But that was not the last word on the subject. Longtime Town Meeting member Al Dinardo, who watched the meeting from home, said he was “surprised” and “disappointed” that they did not support Panetta.?My point is, most nights the meeting could stop at 9 p.m. or it could go to midnight,” said Dinardo on Thursday. “Does a half hour on the back end really make that much of a difference?”Dinardo said the board was lacking in courtesy toward Panetta, a sign that added to his position that with this board, “the public is not getting what they campaigned for.”?It seemed like they wanted changes, they were opening the floor for communication, but now they want to potentially shut down a member in the first half hour of their meeting?” he said. “Where is the olive branch?”Selectmen meetings will start at 7 p.m. beginning Feb. 11, according to a release from board Clerk Wendy Reed.