Town Meeting members will be asked to fund projects ranging from an overhaul of the basketball court at the Evans School park to a complete stormwater system analysis.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree asked the Board of Selectmen to call a Special Town Meeting for Monday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m., prior to the scheduled annual meeting in May. He said the purpose was to ensure certain projects receive approval without missing out on critical summer months for construction.
“Sometimes, if Town Meeting goes longer, you run into the fall and winter and you might not be able to get some of the projects done,” said Crabtree.
Parks and playgrounds
Included in the 14 articles is an allocation of undetermined amount of money for the design, construction, and repair of parks and playgrounds.
Two park-related articles passed in 2017: one for $500,000 to repair and maintain existing playgrounds and a second for $500,000 to add security, lighting and cameras to Bristow Street Park, Veterans Memorial Elementary School, and Belmonte Middle School.
“We’re trying to do additional parks and playgrounds as a priority for the town,” said Crabtree.
Neither the basketball nor tennis courts at the Evans School playground are regulation sized. He hopes that changing that will alleviate overcrowding and equipment misuse at the recently renovated Veterans Memorial park.
“We would have a place for the older kids when they get out of school to play basketball and allow the Vets’ school kids to play at their court,” he said.
RiverWalk project
Crabtree also wants money appropriated for the design and construction of the RiverWalk path. The state Seaport Economic Council awarded Saugus grant money for the project.
A proposed RiverWalk will connect the town-owned boat ramp, Lobsterman’s Landing, and the bike and pedestrian lanes planned as part of the Belden Bly Bridge project. It will also improve public access to the Saugus River, promote foot traffic for the Department of Recreation and Conservation restoration project at the Rumney Marsh, and encourage commercial fishermen and recreational boat users to visit the area.
The idea for a community RiverWalk was developed during a series of resident meetings in 2013. A Waterfront Mixed Use Overlay District was adopted by Town Meeting in 2014. The Seaport Economic Council grant will match 20 percent of the $3.1 million price tag.
Storm water updates
Crabtree is asking Town Meeting to fund an analysis to address an ongoing storm water runoff problem.
The review would determine a course of action for completing stormwater projects across town over the next two decades.
“This would be getting an allocation of money so we can start that project, as far as doing the analysis and putting a master plan together for storm water, which is, as everybody knows, a major issue in the town of Saugus, as well as most communities,” said Crabtree.
Improving Town Hall
If approved, upgrades would be made to the inside and outside of Town Hall. Last year, an appropriation of $200,000 brought in an assessment team to look at the building and its needs. It was discovered that more money was needed to replace rotted wood, strip lead paint, replace boards, and repaint. The roof of the front porch needs work, but most of the slate shingles remain in good shape, said Crabtree.
“This will help the beautiful building we have.” he said.
Double tax exemption
Town meeting members will be asked to offset the cost of a new middle-high school by doubling the real estate property tax exemption for eligible seniors, disabled veterans, and other qualifying taxpayers.
The current taxpayer exemption for eligible seniors, veterans, and other residents ranges from $309 to a full annual exemption. Those residents would automatically see the exemption double.
Other matters
Town Meeting members will be asked to fund the design and construction of the town’s dams at Golden Hills to comply with state standards, the removal of double electricity poles, and upgrades to public safety radio infrastructure, which is almost 20 years old.
