To the editor:
Recent public statements by former Selectwoman Riley and others have suggested there is a growing “appetite” in Saugus for rezoning the Cliftondale area. That claim does not reflect the will of the community. The overwhelming majority of residents have made it clear, through public meetings, conversations, and the 2023 Town Meeting vote, that we do not support turning Cliftondale into another high-density apartment district.
We do not need more apartments. We do not need the added congestion on already strained roads, the increased pressure on our schools, water supply, police, fire, and other limited public services. What Cliftondale does need is thoughtful improvement that respects the character of our neighborhoods and actually benefits the people who already live here.
Our elected representatives should focus on attracting the right kind of development — one that strengthens the community instead of overwhelming it. Fortunately, the Town has two recently acquired properties that were originally intended to provide extra parking for the apartments that were rejected in the failed 2023 rezone article. These parcels now belong to all of us. They should be repurposed for genuine community benefit — perhaps expanded green space, recreational facilities, a farmers market for locals, or other uses that improve quality of life — rather than sitting idle or being held for a project the residents and their representatives clearly did not want.
For the record, four Town Meeting members publicly stated after the vote that they had mistakenly voted in favor of the 2023 rezone article because the moderator’s framing of the question reversed the meaning: “yes” actually meant no rezone, and “no” meant yes rezone. The article did not fail by the narrow margin some continue to claim on paper. It failed by a much clearer margin once those corrected votes are properly counted.
We all want Saugus to thrive. But thriving does not come from pushing more density or repeating false narratives for personal or political gain. It comes from working together.
As I said at the recent April 2024 dog park forum, and as Michael Jordan so perfectly put it:
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”
It’s time for Saugus to stop fighting over every issue and start respecting what we already have. Let’s move forward productively — together — putting community first instead of self-interest.
Sincerely,
Mark Sacco Jr.
