SAUGUS ― Town elections are approaching fast and all eyes are on the Board of selectmen race, with 10 candidates all looking equipped with their own lofty goals.
Town Clerk Ellen Schena reported that all five incumbent selectmen — Chairman Anthony Cogliano, Vice Chairman Corinne Riley, Jeff Cicolini, Debra Panetta, and Michael Serino are all seeking reelection.
Schena listed the challengers as Darren McCullough, Domenic Montano, Harold Young, Elizabeth Marchese, and Leo Forseca Jr.
Cogliano, who is in his fifth term, is pledging Saugus a new fire station ― its third in total― on the west side of town.
“I’m going to deliver Saugus to a west-side fire station, that is something I’m going to guarantee,” he said. “It’s been long overdue and something I’ve been working on for quite some time.”
Riley also believes that the new station is important.
“One thing I am trying to work on and get complete is the west-side fire station; I think that’s extremely important right now,” said Riley.
Cicolini is strongly against a proposal made by Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey to relocate inhabitants of Boston “Methadone Mile” to a site on the Revere/Saugus line. He said that if he is elected he will fight the proposal every step of the way.
“The mayor is well aware of our plan to fight this proposal at all costs,” said Cicolini. “These individuals deserve to be at a location where they can receive specialized
treatment and counseling services in addition to adequate housing and meals. They do not deserve to be dumped in a shuttered facility on a six-lane highway next to one of the largest liquor stores in the area… (it’s) totally unacceptable.”
Candidate Panetta is an advocate for sustainable, strategic, and well planned development in town, specifically on Route 1. She is looking to complete the townwide master plan if reelected.
“With all the new development in Saugus, especially along Route 1, we must have a strategy that deals with the future growth of our town while protecting our neighborhoods and environmental resources,” said Panetta.
She said this strategic plan will be the framework for making informed decisions, which will include goals and policies for future land use including housing, commercial development, transportation, and open space.
Serino also has an eye on development, specifically on residential development on Route 1.
“That was my concern when I ran a couple of years ago, residential development,” said Serino. “I’m concerned about the impact to our schools and public safety… and the loss of our commercial taxpayers.”
McCullough, who was born and raised in Saugus, believes schools are the most important asset to the town right now, in light of the new buildings, new superintendent, and new goals.
“I want to keep the momentum going for the town with the new high school and Belmonte (Upper Elementary School) being done over,” said McCullough.
Montano, who is a police officer in town, wants to push for a community policing program.
According to Montano years ago, Saugus did have a program that partnered sports teams with police officers. The program was aimed at mentoring and coaching young kids.
“I feel like a lot of kids don’t have a lot of directions these days and, especially with the COVID pandemic, no one knows what to do now,” said Montano. “I think, as we start to resume and get back to a normal way of living, we need to start bringing that back and bridging that gap.”
Marchese’s biggest goal for her campaign is to learn why Saugus is losing so many families to other schools and towns.
“We need to sit back and look at the structure of the services we are offering; we have done so much from new schools to new parks,” said Marchese.
Candidate Fonseca, who is a new resident of Saugus, has environmental goals in his campaign.
“If elected to the Board of Selectmen, I will work to protect and preserve our green spaces for future generations… I will work with developers, future and existing business, and the town to focus on renewable energy to reduce their environmental impact,” he said.
Young’s goals are similar: He would like the town to purchase more electric vehicles and make more car-charging stations available throughout the town.
“I do feel the town could benefit from purchasing more electric vehicles for town employees to utilize and, also, the addition of charging stations to promote the use of electric cars in town,” said Young. “This is something the town started years ago when we became a Green Community, and I would like to see us continue to move forward with more progress,” said Young.
Residents can vote for selectmen during the local elections on Nov. 2nd.
