Saugus: Crabtree sworn in (again) as manager

SAUGUS – Scott Crabtree is happy to be working again in the town where he grew up, and the town where he has chosen to raise his family.Crabtree was sworn in Monday morning as the town manager, less than six months after he was terminated by the previous Board of Selectmen. Two hundred people packed the Town Hall auditorium to witness the swearing-in.?I am truly honored and grateful for this opportunity to serve as town manager for my community and for the town I grew up in and have chosen to raise my family,” Crabtree said. “I thank the people of Saugus and this newly elected Board of Selectmen and their families for their courage and conviction to get involved and put Saugus first. I also want to thank Chairwoman (Debra) Panetta and her family. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you all.”Crabtree, who was reappointed as town manager by the current Board of Selectmen last week, said he would like to rebuild the confidence of residents and reputation of the community. He would like to work towards a more municipal government.?I wish to convey my sincere congratulations to Scott Crabtree and his family and commend the newly elected selectmen on their thoughtful insight on his reappointment,” said Panetta, who is the chair of the new board. Panetta is the lone holdover from the previous board, which voted 4-1 to oust Crabtree last October. Those four selectmen were recalled March 17.Crabtree also thanked his friends, Saugus residents and town employees – particularly his wife, Christina, and their children, Scotty, Chloe and Brody, for their sticking with him the past five months..?You are a part of history in coming together as a community in wanting change,” Crabtree said. “?I?m very thankful for the residents who supported us,” Christina Crabtree said.Many of the residents who attended Monday?s ceremony were happy for Crabtree as well.?I?m proud to be a Saugonian,” Natalie Aggreste said. “I was born and brought up in this town, but now, it can be brought back on the right track. Scott is a wonderful person. He did a wonderful job before. It?s unfortunate what happened, but now he?s back and ready to move us forward.”She said the Board of Selectmen works as a great team for the betterment of the town and that Saugus is someplace special.Denis Toto, who also attended, said Crabtree will continue the good work he did before and this time around help build a new high school.?Saugus is moving forward with financial stability,” Toto said. “More importantly, Scott brought everyone together for a common cause to make Saugus a better place to live. People recognized that he was doing a good job.”Toto said Saugus was moving in a positive direction and then was stopped dead in its tracks last October.?What happened with the recall was unprecedented,” Toto said. “My neighbors understood what occurred and why. They took action and corrected it. They showed unbelievable support for Scott and his policies moving forward.”Resident and Zoning Board of Appeals member Sherri Raftery said Monday was a good day for Saugus.?We?re going to turn the town back to a place where we once were – united with strong leaders, which is the newly sworn in Board of Selectmen and Scott Crabtree,” Raftery said. “Hopefully, now the town will come together for the common good and unite to do what?s best for businesses and residents.”Raftery noted the town was divided previously.Town Counsel John Vasapoli noted the voters have spoken.?We have a charter and we followed that charter,” Vasapoli said.