Saugus parks money seen as not enough

SAUGUS – Town Meeting members have voted to transfer $15,000 from highway maintenance to repairs for parks and playgrounds. However, not everyone was happy with the final figure.The money would be put toward addressing safety concerns in the town?s parks and playgrounds, whether for repair or purchase of new equipment.The motion to transfer the money passed by a 24-9 vote at a special Town Meeting Monday night.The Friends of Saugus Parks and Playgrounds, represented by vice president Marc Magliozzi and member Dennis Gould, sought much more than the $15,000 allotted by the Town Meeting members.?The immediate needs to address the safety concerns at each of the playgrounds is $254,250, which includes replacing the tennis courts at the middle school and the tennis/basketball courts at the Evans School,” Magliozzi said.However, he whittled that figure down, noting that it doesn?t make sense to complete the tennis court repairs.?The money needed for the immediate safety concerns would be $104,250,” he said. “This money would be used to address the safety concerns at playgrounds throughout the town, as well as bring the Veterans School playground back in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.”Gould said the funds will be used to install handicap-accessible equipment at Veterans Memorial School for the special-needs members of the student body.But he and some others say it?s still not enough.?This was disappointing since the real need to assure our children can safely use our parks when snow melts and (to) clean up before Memorial Day is $105,000,” Gould said. “Some equipment will now have to be removed for safety reasons, so we will have less to offer our children this summer.”Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian also said neglect to the parks and playgrounds over the last decade has been enormous.?My estimation is we?re looking at a minimum of $1 to $1.5 million in a borrowing article to address our parks? needs,” Manoogian said. “It?s not just a matter of buying new swings and other equipment – you need the proper site work, design, specifications and procedures.”Public works director Brendan O?Regan gave a time line of when this money will be distributed.?The town manager is going to get together with the group established to determine the best way those funds should be used,” O?Regan said. “It should be next week. We evaluated the serious conditions of the parks earlier this year.”Selectmen chair Debra Panetta said the number is just right – not too high and not too low.?Having safe and modern recreational parks and playgrounds is a priority for this board,” Panetta said. “We were pleased to see the $15,000 transfer.”