SAUGUS — In the wake of what multiple officials called the worst flooding they had ever seen in town last month, the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday voted to finalize a letter to be sent to the town’s state and federal representatives calling for the funding of a study to investigate the potential for construction of the long-gestating Saugus River floodgates project.
The letter was drafted by the board’s chair, Debra Panetta, and Peter Manoogian, a Town Meeting member representing Precinct 10, where the flooding was most intense. The document is addressed to state Reps. Donald Wong and Jessica Giannino, state Sen. Brendan Crighton, U.S. Rep Seth Moulton, and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.
In it, they urge the officials to ensure funds are allocated for the feasibility study “as soon as possible” following the “extreme and sobering” devastation wrought by a Jan. 13 storm in not just Saugus but also Revere, Lynn, Malden, and Everett. All five communities would have to help foot the bill for the study, and the letter makes it clear that Saugus is ready to do its part.
“We now need your advocacy at the state level and with your respective city councils for a funding commitment,” the letter reads. “We need to immediately demonstrate to the Federal Government our commitment to cost-sharing so that the study can commence.”
“It is imperative that funding immediately occur so that this study can happen, which would allow for a robust public participation process and ultimately a proposal to construct floodgates at the mouth of the Saugus River,” the letter continues.
Manoogian stressed the importance of securing support from elected officials representing the town to help lead the charge and make the project a reality.
The letter was supported not just by Manoogian but also by the other four Town Meeting members from Precinct 10. Panetta said that Selectman Michael Serino, who could not attend Tuesday’s meeting, also endorsed the letter.
Manoogian and a pair of his colleagues — Martin Costello and Peter Delios — addressed the board, thanking them for their swift action.
Costello, who said he spoke on behalf of each of the five Town Meeting members from the precinct, noted that flooding events were not going away or abating, noting the torrential rain that has pounded California this week.
“I’m afraid that the fact of the matter here is that this terrible flooding could and probably will happen again,” he said.
One resident, Jackie Finn, said she was dealing with severe recurring flooding at her condo on Bristow Street, telling the board she and her neighbor were without a home for the second straight year because of water damage.
“We really just need help and support,” she said, noting that she was appreciative of the support for the long-term solution in the form of floodgates but emphasizing the need for short-term salves as well.
Selectmen Vice Chair Jeff Cicolini, a longtime resident of the area, said he felt Finn’s pain.
Cicolini, who moved away from East Saugus in part because of the flooding concerns, said he has seen a clear worsening of the flooding conditions in recent years but could not offer any specific quick fixes.
“This has to be a fast track situation,” he said, suggesting the town invite the delation to witness first-hand the impacts of the flooding. “Enough is enough… this isn’t going to get better. This is really something that needs the eyes and ears of our state and federal delegation on the fast path.”
