SAUGUS — The Board of Selectmen was sworn in on Wednesday night, with Frank Federico the only new face to join.
The official votes were as follows: Debra Panetta with 2,159 votes, Anthony Cogliano with 2,108 votes, Jeffrey Cicolini with 2,043 votes, Federico with 1,919 votes, and Michael Serino with 1,553 votes.
Cicolini nominated Panetta to once again serve as chair of the Board and then nominated Cogliano for vice chair.
It was unanimous. Although it isn’t a rule, the person who receives the most votes is typically nominated chair, and the person with the second most votes is usually nominated as vice chair. It’s a way to respect the votes of the town’s residents and show trust in fellow candidates.
“I would first like to thank my fellow Board members. I’m deeply grateful for you again electing me as your chairman. This is a responsibility that I take seriously, and I promise to do my best to represent our community with fairness, dedication, and respect,” Panetta said.
Serino congratulated Panetta on being chairman again.
“The four of us are back working together, and I want to welcome Frank aboard, our fifth member. I just want to thank everybody who supported me (and) has been supporting me over the years,” he said.
Serino thanked his brother and sister, who helped him hold signs, and his friend, who manned the phones.
“I think we’ll work well together. We’ve been together for so long now, six years. I think Frank will be a good fit for us, so I want to thank everybody,” he said.
Next to speak was the newest member, Federico.
“I’d just like to take a second first and foremost to thank the voters of Saugus for instilling faith in me to be their voice. I’d like to thank and congratulate my fellow Board members on their successful campaigns to get reelected,” he said.
Federico also noted he looks forward to working with Town Manager Scott Crabtree.
“I’m looking forward to serving with my fellow selectmen who I’ve already served with, and I’m also looking forward to serving with Selectman Federico,” Cicolini said.
He congratulated everyone and noted that this was a very professional campaign process.
“Everybody worked hard and was respectful, and that means a lot. That’s what Saugus is all about,” he said.
Cicolini also congratulated every person who put their name on the ballot.
“When you put your name on the ballot and put your name up there, that says something. I encourage everybody to stay involved. If you weren’t successful this time, you’ll be successful the next time. Keep trying,” he said.
He thanked his family and friends who supported his campaign.
“I want to thank all the voters. The trust that you’ve instilled in me for the last 10 years, and to keep in this seat for another two. I will continue to work my hardest to push Saugus forward,” Cicolini said.
He also noted that he supports Crabtree and looks forward to continuing to work with him.
Cogliano said, “As I start my 17th year, I’ve finally sat in every seat this year. This is my first time in this one. I look forward to another great two years with all of you, and of course, you, Frank.”
He said Federico worked “his behind off” to get elected and that he deserved to be there.
“I’d like to thank my family for dealing with these elections since 1991; they’ve been my biggest supporters,” he said. He also shouted out his granddaughters. “It’s been a great run. I’ve said it before; this will be my last time serving on the Board, so I look forward to another great two years with you, Mr. Manager, and everybody up here, but this is my swan song.”
Panetta first thanked the voters for placing their trust in her. She also thanked her family for being there for her through all of these elections and everyone who stood by her during the campaign, from sign holders to organizations to all the voters.
“You’re confidence means so much, and I’m committed to working hard every day on your behalf. I want to again congratulate each one of the members of this Board. I was talking with Frank’s mom a little earlier, and I said, ‘This is probably the best Board that you can learn from,'” she said.
She also shouted out everyone who chose to run that year.
“It takes a lot to put your name on the ballot. And I can tell you that all nine members of the selectmen (race), any one of them would have been great on this Board,” she said.
Cogliano and Serino are both in their 17th year on the Board, Cicolini is in his 11th, and Panetta is in her 15th.
“Whatever we do, just do the opposite,” Cicolini joked.
Federico said he looks forward to learning from them and working with them.
