Saugus selectmen push for SCTV cooperation

SAUGUS – In response to hostile correspondence from Saugus Community Television, the Board of Selectmen said it would continue to move forward in creating regulations for the station with or without its Board of Directors.The board held a public forum Tuesday to hear input for new regulations for the cable station in its reversion from its nonprofit form as Saugus Cable Television Station (SCTS) to Saugus Community Television, Inc. (SCTV). But the cable station?s Board of Directors did not show up to the meeting, at the advice of its attorney, Jeff Mazer, because he could not attend to represent the board.Town counsel Ira Zolesnik said Mazer sent him a letter that was “adversarial” in nature when he accused the Board of Selectmen of violating open meeting law when they held an executive session to discuss the future of SCTV last week.Chairman Ellen Faiella said she was disheartened by the “disparaging remarks” in the letter, but did not think the words came from the Board of Directors but from an “overzealous attorney” who hit the “send” button too quickly.?It?s sad it?s taken place. I don?t see any reason why we can?t come together and do the right thing for the community,” said Faiella.Vice Chairman Maureen Dever echoed Faiella?s sentiment, adding, “With or without their input we will move forward and do what?s right for the town.”Selectman Steve Castinetti was concerned that the Board of Directors acted illegally in hiring its own attorney, but Zolesnik advised the selectmen not to argue that point because during the period of transition there was a “gray area” of what the station was able to do.About 20 residents showed up to the forum, a majority of whom were involved in the group Saugus Concerned Citizens. A few took the podium not to discuss specifics over what they wanted for guidelines, but to say they wanted a fresh, positive start.?Let animosity be left behind. Let the accusations be left behind,” said Rick Fail, a member of the group. “Let?s have a clean slate.”The board decided, with agreement from the residents who showed, to encourage the community to have a look at the guidelines and bylaws for both SCTS and SCTV so the board could decide what it wanted to keep or leave out of the new guidelines for the station. Both documents will be posted this week on the Board of Selectmen?s page on the town?s website for viewing and comments. It will hear and discuss comments at its meeting April 8.?If you sit down with two hard copies and have a cup of tea, you?ll see the difference between them,” was Dever?s advice to one resident.In the meantime, Faiella said the board wants to have a few meetings with the cable station?s Board of Directors, but as Dever told the audience, “We cannot promise you they will participate in the process.”