New Saugus selectmen promise change

SAUGUS – Tuesday?s recall election was prompted by the firing of former town manager Scott Crabtree last October.Four of the five selectmen – chair Ellen Faiella, Maureen P. Dever, Stephen L. Castinetti and Paul H. Allan – were up for recall, while Debra Panetta, who supported Crabtree, wasn?t subject to Tuesday?s recall effort.The recall had the potential to change as much as 80 percent of the board, and that?s exactly what happened, as Scott Brazis, Jennifer D?Eon, Mark Mitchell and Jeffrey Cicolini were elected. The new selectmen will be sworn in tonight.The winning candidates celebrated together at Prince Pizzeria.Mitchell is the former chair of Save Saugus, a political action committee that spurred the recall movement. He called the experience humbling. “Two precincts were close, we won substantially in the other eight,” Mitchell said. “It?s a humbling feeling knowing how hard we?ve worked, and we did everything we could to get the message out.”Mitchell said everyone he spoke to at the polls Tuesday was excited and seemed to want a change in the town after a rough six months.?The four of us are able to give them that change,” Mitchell said. “I look forward to working with that team. We?ll make a good team together.”Cicolini said voter turnout was approximately 5,000 – about 40 percent higher than a typical local election.?Our margin of victory was pretty significant,” Cicolini said. “This wouldn?t have been possible without the moral support of my family and friends who have worked tirelessly over the past six months to make this day a reality.”Cicolini said Saugus spoke loudly and he wants to focus on things he promised, including working together as a town with the selectmen who were voted out of office Tuesday.?They?re still part of this town,” Cicolini said. “That?s the only way this town is going to heal.”?I also want to thank the voters of Saugus for believing in me,” Cicolini said. “I take this responsibility very seriously. I?ll stay true to my word to promote healing to Saugus and for it to become something special.”D?Eon said she was flabbergasted.?I prepared myself to accept whatever the outcome was,” D?Eon said. “I?m happy – it?s like the residents have won. They?re ready for this change.”She said the new board is a fresh face of family-oriented people.