Saugus recall election candidates lay out future plans

SAUGUS – The question on everyone?s mind in town is what will happen if the candidates in next Tuesday?s recall election drive out the four incumbent selectmen they?re challenging.When former Town Manager Scott Crabtree was fired by the board – with four of the five members voting to oust him – it prompted next Tuesday?s recall election. The board late last month hired Peabody?s Sean Fitzgerald as Crabtree?s permanent replacement.Monday, all five challengers to Ellen Faiella, Maureen Dever, Stephen Castinetti and Paul Allan weighed in on what they would do with regards to the town manager position if they are elected to the board. Only one – Arthur Grabowski, who is on the ballot challenging all four incumbents – said definitively he would work with Fitzgerald.?The court ruled that it?s within the Board of Selectmen?s right to go through with the hiring process of a new town manager,” Grabowski said. “I don?t feel that any prospective employee has a right to a job because of friendship.?The person filling the job must be the best qualified person,” he said. “Too many people get jobs in town because of who they know, whether they?re a DPW worker, police officer or town manager. That can?t continue.”Grabowski said the Board of Selectmen is the chief policymaker of the town and since that?s the course they wanted to follow, he will work in conjunction with the new town manager.He said part of democracy is working together – with multiple opportunities for discussion and discourse – to keep the town progressing over time.?I certainly wouldn?t make a decision to hire someone because you?re afraid of a lawsuit,” Grabowski said. “That?s why we?re having a recall – either to validate what the selectmen in office said, or to make a change.”Jennifer D?Eon, running for Dever?s seat, said she?d be “honored” to work with either Fitzgerald or Crabtree.?My focus has always been on reshaping and rebuilding the town I love,” D?Eon said. “I?m going to give my time and energy to improving our community, so as long as the town manager shares that goal, we will certainly have a better Saugus.”Mark Mitchell, running for Castinetti?s seat, is concerned for the taxpayers regarding previous lawsuits and terminations.Mitchell said the current board is trying to engage in a contract with Fitzgerald that violates municipal finance law and the town charter on which the residents of Saugus voted; and that leaves the taxpayers on the hook for the board?s politics and personal agendas, he claimed.?My approach would be to do that which would result in the least financial exposure to the town,” Mitchell said. “I would want to confer with the attorney or attorneys representing the town in this matter. Clearly, the town is facing exposure on this termination as well as two terminations that have occurred since.”Jeffrey Cicolini, running for Allan?s seat, said he is surprised the board will continue to proceed with the process of entering into a long-term contract with a new town manager, knowing the election is only one week away.?I feel it is reckless and very irresponsible to do something like this knowing there is a potential that they will not be serving as board members by the time he begins his employment. What is the rush?” Cicolini said.Cicolini said he hopes the board will “at least consider an opt-out clause in the contract to allow the town the ability to terminate the contract (with a reasonable severance)” should Crabtree win his lawsuit and the judge awards his job back.?This, of course, assumes the former town manager would want the job, and based on where the town is today, who knows what his desire would be at that point,” said Cicolini.Cicolini said he will do whatever he can, both personally and professionally, to move Saugus forward. He said he could work effectively with whomever holds the position and he will work collaboratively for a better Saugus, because that is what residents want and deserve.Scott Brazis, running against Faiella, coul