Saugus nearly free from grease traps

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen voted to continue two more public hearings while they wait on more information on grease trap regulations.The new owners of Hometown Pizza and proposed Thai takeout restaurant Rice Theory were asked to return at a later date until the board can hear back from Department of Public Works Superintendent Brendan O?Regan, Director of Public Health Frank Giacalone and the town?s plumbing, gas and sewer Inspector James Kennedy to hear of their progress with devising grease trap regulations for the town, as well as their expert opinion on alternative grease traps.The three were asked by selectmen to work on the regulations at a meeting in February, but restaurant owners have put their businesses on hold since November.Chairman Ellen Faiella said she last heard from O?Regan?s board they were at 85 percent completion of the regulations. “We?re very close to getting the answers we?re looking for,” said Faiella, noting that restaurateurs waiting for the word were being “extremely patient.”The board reiterated to Town Manager Scott Crabtree the haste in resolving the problem. Vice Chairman Maureen Dever said for every day the board waited for an answer, “we have got FOG (fats, oils and grease) going into our system, and no one wants that.”Dever also requested Crabtree consider a Special Town Meeting to be called on the subject of the regulations, to which Crabtree agreed was a possibility.?We?ve had four applicants all looking for waivers and we don?t want to give waivers to anyone,” said Dever.Faiella asked Crabtree again if he could copy the board on the communication between the town and O?Regan?s committee, since they had not been copied since she made the request in February.Faiella told both owners who came before the board Tuesday that they would be told when they would be able to come back for another public hearing and to contact Clerk Wendy Reed with any questions.