SAUGUS — Town Meeting members supported a $420,000 allocation for public safety radio infrastructure upgrades that police and fire have not seen since the turn of the century.
“This equipment was put in around ’99 or 2000,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “It’s analog. It’s obsolete. They actually have to go on eBay to buy the parts to service it.”
The money will be used to upgrade the communications used by the town’s safety departments and to towers that carry the signal. During the past winter storm, communication was lost three times, he said.
“This is a critical need in the infrastructure with our public safety,” said Crabtree. The Police and Fire Departments will also be among the departments that will receive new vehicles as part of a $615,000 appropriation for various equipment for town departments.
Crabtree estimated that about 100,000 miles are put on the town’s police cruisers in a single year.
Both articles were passed unanimously.
When it came to Article 9, which was seeking $500,000 for the design, construction, repair and replacement of parks and playgrounds, members had mixed feelings ranging from environmentally sensitive areas, parking, and a potential ice skating rink proposed to be located next to the Public Safety Building.
“There are lots of things besides parks that we need,” said resident Chris Riley. “Is a second public ice rink in town and a 10th place to play basketball what a resident wants? We want a first skate park, a conveniently located dog park, a viable Cliftondale Square, cemetery space, a west side fire station that everyone in town voted for 15 years ago. We need many things.”
Gregory Nicholas, director of Saugus Youth and Recreation, said most of the town’s parks and playgrounds are in deplorable condition as a result of many years of neglect.
“I am thrilled that we are even having these discussions,” he said. “I applaud this administration for moving us forward in the right direction. I support this — it’s something that needs to take place. We need to continue the momentum that we haven’t had for so long.”
Bill Brown, a precinct 6 Town Meeting member, proposed an amendment to send the article back to its maker, which ultimately failed.
It ultimately passed, 38-4.
Members voted 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. More than 280 people will benefit from the action, said Crabtree.
Town Meeting voted unanimously to transfer $2 million into the stabilization fund, and $150,000 was appropriated to other post employment benefits from free cash.
Special Town Meeting will reconvene on April 23 at Saugus Town Hall.
