Deadline looming for Saugus candidates

SAUGUS – Candidates wanting to run in the Board of Selectmen recall election must submit signatures by 5 p.m. Tuesday.The effort to recall four of the five selectmen began after the board voted to fire town manager Scott Crabtree in October. Debra Panetta, who supported Crabtree, is the only member not subject to a recall vote.As of Friday, there were 13 potential candidates, including the current selectmen subject to recall: chair Ellen Faiella, Paul H. Allen, Stephen L. Castinetti and Maureen P. Dever, according to Town Clerk Ellen J. Schena, who said the four incumbents have already submitted their nomination papers.Voters will have to first decide if they want to recall each of the four selectmen. A “yes” vote on whether to recall then triggers an election for that seat. Challengers can choose to run against any or all of the current selectmen, pending the results of the recall vote.?They?re actually running for a specific seat,” Schena said. “Usually in a town election, like for the Board of Selectmen, the top five wins. But since it?s a recall, the current selectmen can run for their own seat.”Aside from the four, the other potential candidates include: former selectman Stephen M. Horlick, Cameron J. Pond, Jeffrey V. Cicolini, Save Saugus director Mark D. Mitchell, Scott A. Brazis, School Committee member Arthur Grabowski, former selectman Michael J. Serino, Sherri Raftery and Jennifer E. D?Eon.The candidates, incumbents included, need 50 signatures from registered Saugus voters for each seat. Challengers are allowed to run for up to four seats; in that case, they would need a total of 200 signatures. Although the deadline to submit papers is Tuesday, candidates have until Feb. 12 – when ballot positions will be drawn – to file objections or to withdraw.Saugus selectmen receive a stipend to defray travel costs. They are part-time town officials and do not maintain standard office hours; however, the Board of Selectmen?s office is open on the main level of Town Hall Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.