SAUGUS — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday honored former Town Meeting member William B. Stewart, who currently serves as an elected member of the town’s housing authority, for his five-decade tenure as a Town Meeting member.
Stewart, who represented Precinct 3 and was joined by members of his family at the meeting, thanked the board for the citation and said he has loved his time representing Saugus.
“I truly want to thank the voters in Precinct 3 for selecting me 25 times,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed town politics, I look forward to following the boards and authorities that make Saugus a special place.”
State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) also presented Stewart with a citation, on behalf of himself and state Rep. Jessica Giannino (D-Revere). Wong read the citation, which congratulates Stewart for 50 years of service, and states “the entire membership … expresses hope for future good fortune and future success.”
Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano said it has “been a pleasure” to know Stewart.
“I wish you good health and many more years with us,” Cogliano said. “You’re a great man.”
Board Vice Chair Debra Panetta added that Stewart is an “inspiration” and she was honored to call him a friend.
“You’ve just done so much for our town, and I really appreciate it,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what you continue to do for us.”
Board member Michael Serino thanked Stewart for his years of service, and fellow member Corinne Riley added that serving the town for so many years was a major accomplishment.
Board member Jeffrey Cicolini said he admired Stewart’s ability to navigate town politics for more than five decades.
“We need more people like you in town, to go through the years in town politics and still have the love and respect of all your fellow Saugonians is pretty remarkable,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for one-fifth of that time and I have a lot of targets on my back that you don’t have on yours.”
“Thank you for your 50 years of service. [You] truly set the standard for what it is to be a proud Saugonian,” Cicolini continued.
Charlie McKenna can be reached at [email protected].
