Acting town manager: Business as usual in Saugus

SAUGUS – As controversy continues to swirl around suspended Saugus Town Manager Scott Crabtree, Acting Town Manager Michael Murphy insists that it is business as usual at Town Hall.”Town Hall has been functioning pretty much normally and everyone is doing their job as usual,” he said, adding that he has not had any communication with Crabtree.Murphy explained that his job is “to act for the town manager on the everyday business of the office in his absence.””I will do my best to keep the manager’s office going while the process plays out,” he said.However, Murphy explained that things get “a little hectic” every so often with Town Hall being a mecca of political scrutiny right now.The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 last month to suspend Crabtree for three months with pay after charging him with a list of nine allegations relating to poor job performance.In terms of the various initiatives Crabtree had in progress, Murphy explained that it’s too soon to make an accurate assessment in terms of how they may be affected. However, he said that “hopefully nothing going forward for the town will suffer during this process.”Town Meeting member Robert Long agreed, saying that no Town Hall employee has expressed any concerns.Therefore, he said he does not understand why some of his fellow Town Meeting members continue to perpetuate things that are not issues.”There’s more gas in Saugus, we’re lucky we don’t all blow up,” he said. “I don’t think we’re in danger of having anything serious occur.”Long added that many town employees also have longevity on their side.”These are people that have been around for a while,” he said.Plumbing Inspector John Cottam, however, said the general perception among town employees is that their jobs will be jeopardized by the board.”I think everyone’s scared,” he said.Cottam maintained that he would not be intimidated by the board.”I’m not scared by it; I couldn’t care less,” he said. “The whole process has been a witch hunt.”Cottam explained that the board has continued to make its own rules, adding that its members tried to get the Finance Committee to approve an unbalanced budget earlier this year.”These people can’t sit down with the town manager,” he said.However, Cottam pointed out that a planned recall petition against the board will not be formally submitted until full explanations are provided for the nine charges against Crabtree.He added that although 250 signatures were needed to begin the recall process, 500 people ultimately signed their names to take a stand against the selectmen.”That’s not even trying,” said Cottam.Town Meeting member Al DiNardo said he has tried contacting Murphy about the potential $500,000 cost of removing Crabtree. However, he said that Murphy has yet to reciprocate.”So far, we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot,” said DiNardo. “I rate communications an F.”He added that he still has concerns regarding the progress of town business and leadership in the coming months.”Who’s going to politically lead the charge?” he asked. “Who’s in charge? There’s no communication from our government.”