Saugus Finance Committee presses on without Palleschi

SAUGUS – In its first meeting since the departure of long-standing Chairman Robert Palleschi, the Finance Committee tossed around goals and ideas on how to proceed in the coming months.Newly appointed Chairman Kenneth DePatto asked each committee member to create a list of ideas designed to help them be “more thorough in our jobs.” He said the ideas will be compiled and used to create a matrix that the committee will lean on as a point of reference when addressing new business.DePatto mentioned reinstating the state analysis which had proved beneficial in the past.”There was a town manager who dismissed it and made it irrelevant,” he said at Wednesday night’s meeting.DePatto also pointed out that accountant Steven Divirgilio has expressed concerns regarding employee pensions that need to be handled.Other ideas included having a better return on investments as well as financing for capital improvements that can be done on debt exclusion.”I think that’s a positive way to move,” said DePatto, adding that suspended Town Manager Scott Crabtree had begun a capital improvement plan. However, money still needed to be put in place to support it.Member Theresa Katsos explained that a form should be made available on how to put an item on the warrant, as not everyone in town is aware of that process.”Half the time when people come here, they bring us pictures, but they really don’t know what’s going on,” she said.Vice Chairman George DeDomenico added that the committee should also be able to see the warrant before it is presented during a meeting.Town Meeting member Al DiNardo of Precinct 4 said he was concerned about the future financial ramifications of dismissing Crabtree, saying that is “half a million dollars that we didn’t really figure.”DePatto said he intends to meet with the new town manager to discuss expenses, however, he did not wish to go into detail, as it was not a topic on the agenda.”We don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “I presume we will be notified through the appropriate channels once a decision is made.”