Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 3
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Member, Saugus Cultural Arts Council
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Federal Civil Rights Investigator
Degrees Held / Education
- University of Massachusetts, M.A. Dispute Resolution (currently pursuing)
- University of Maryland, Certificate, Housing and Community Development
- Emerson College, B.A.
Currently A Member Of...
- Disabled American Veterans
- Saugus River Watershed Council
- Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE)
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
Any time there are school closings, it is cause for concern. However, many of our schools are antiquated and need to be replaced. A few years back I substituted at Saugus High. The school is shabby and dreary. If I were a student, I wouldn't want to sit in it. I don't believe schools in disrepair are conducive to the learning experience. A town's school system, and its students, is a reflection of the town. If we take a step back and look at our schools, they don't paint too nice a portrait of our town.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
Since we have voted for no new taxes, we must seek alternative ways to generate revenue. I think a volunteer taskforce should be commissioned to help seek out what alternatives exist for us, e.g.. federal grants, credits, etc., and how we can properly use them. I am also concerned that with all the new homes being built, and the multitude of new and existing businesses on Route One, more taxes should be coming in, yet we are feeling a budget crunch. Where are these monies? Some belt tightening might be in order.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
The first step in fighting traffic congestion is to have better signs to the Square One Mall. Trying to drive down Main Street or Essex Street on a Saturday afternoon is maddening. Cars are making illegal u-turns all over the place because they have taken the wrong exit to the mall. While our police force are doing a terrific job as understaffed as they are, handing out more tickets will also help curb the congestion created by this mess, as well as bring in some additional revenue. I also am in favor of preserving open space.
Considering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
To be honest, I don t think there is an easy answer for this. Without additional funding, it is going to be hard to make any improvements in these areas. Our town is in a pinch because we are being hit in some vital areas: fire and police departments and school system. Our governing bodies need to get creative to make improvements. For example, I currently serve on our town's cultural arts council, Each Fall, we offer the schools grants to help with cultural activities and field trips. All schools should apply and try to take advantage of this.
What else do you think is important?
As we head to the polls this election, we need to ask ourselves is our town in better shape now than it was 2 or 4 years ago? And if the answer is no, let s elect some new people who can hopefully energize the town and turn things around. When that group of young boys from the Saugus American Little League went on their winning run, they gave Saugus something to cheer about. Let s build upon those feelings of pride and enthusiasm they helped instill in us, and let s make Saugus, a town above the rest.
Submitted: 2003/09/24
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 3
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Member of Landfill Alliance
- Member of Saugus Pride Committee
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Process Engineer for M/A-COM Inc. - a Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
Degrees Held / Education
- Saugus High Graduate - Class of 78
- North Shore Community College - Associate's Degree
- Salem State College - Bachelor's Degree
Currently A Member Of...
I've coached in the Saugus American Little League for five years now and counting. I've also coached for three years for Saugus Youth Soccer. I teach CCD for the First grade for Blessed Sacrament Church. I'm a Cub Scout Leader
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
Horrible - there is a need for the School Committee to deal with the serious problems with the lack of funding from the local and state level. We can not just say - well we just don't have the money and turn around and start slashing. At each and every organization there are places to cut and I feel that the school system needs to look at the adminstation staff first, not the front line (teachers). To place a child into a class of 35 kids does not promotion a learning environment.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
Where's all the money going now? Accountability is key - The past adminstration under Mr. Angelo seems to have had a free pass. We need to find where everything is, then move forward. Also we need to stop these night clubs from the free ride they have been getting. We are going into a larger budget crisis with the clubs bring us to court. Past a law to stop this "little" town of ours from the dump heap.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
Stop these developers from ripping the ground right out from under us. Past a by-law limiting them from this 40B slide. The town has alot on it's plate and everything is serious. Priorities need to be listed and spelled out. Traffic is a joke - a more visible Police force will help - but we need to address their needs - money. Same for the schools and the fire department. Add to it that the DPW is over worked and how many water mains are going to burst this winter? We need to list the issues and address each and every one - now!
Considering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
Prop 2.5 is hurting this town deeply now. Years ago it was put into place to help. We need to over come this fact by overrides and by eventually stiking down prop 2.5.
What else do you think is important?
How about the simple fact that we have had a town government that is a comedy of errors. We need to learn from the past - so that we don't repeat it. I grew up here in Saugus and I'm disgusted with what's been going on, it needs to stop and I'll become a voice to make it happen.
Submitted: 2003/11/04
E-mail Address: None provided.
Precinct: 3
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Approximately 20 years as a Town Meeting Member from Precinct 3, including 8 years as the Assistant Moderator with Richard Barry.
- Member, Saugus Town Democratic Committee
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Computer Consultant, retired
- Adjunct Professor of Computer Science
- Three years, Massachusetts National Guard
- Three years, U.S. Army in Japan, Radio Intelligence
Degrees Held / Education
- Saugus High School
- General Electric Apprentice Program
- Lowell Institute School at M.I.T.
- B.S. Boston University School of Engineering
- M.B.A. Boston University School of Management
- Various Computer Seminars
Currently A Member Of...
- Over 30 years experience with the Saugus American Little League as a coach, manager, and Vice President
- Active Umpire for softball and Little League
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
The closing of the Ballard and Evans schools were probably necessary, but the School Committee and the Superintendent could have made the situation better by being honest and telling the public sooner rather than waffling on the issue. It has created a serious problem for some of the families affected.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
The current budget crisis was caused by the Legislature and Governors of the Commonwealth. When financial times were very good the state reduced taxes by about 2 billion dollars over a period of about 10 years. When the economic situation changed state government was not being responsible to reinstitute at least some of these taxes.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
The problem of overcrowded classrooms can only be overcome by additional teachers. Without additional funding the problem cannot be solved.
The issues of congestion and saving open spaces will probably get worse under the 40-B program. State government must change the law that currently favors developers over community wishes.Considering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
The people did not vote against needed facilities in town. The West Side Fire Station was approved as was the Veterans School. The voters have responded when the need was presented in a way they could understand. The last override asked for a sum of money to be approved to replace or repair all the schools in the system. This was more than could be swallowed by the voters. A single Lynnhurst school might very well have passes as a first step in renewal. The voters have shown that they do not want to vote for overrides that are for salaries,
What else do you think is important?
It is important that the Legislature restore the funding to the communities that they have denied in the past few years. In the previous decade the Legislature granted about 2 billion dollars in tax cuts. Communities throughout the Commonwealth have done their share by supplying funds in a survivor mode. This approach cannot continue much longer before our infrastructure, education, and public systems are seriously impared.
Submitted: 2003/10/02
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 5
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Town Meeting Member (3 terms)
- Appointed to the Tree Committee
- Appointed to the Family Related Apartment Committee
- Lynnhurst PTO (Hospitality)
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Director of Finance
- CFO, US Realty Development
Degrees Held / Education
- MBA, Northeastern University
- BSBA, Accounting, Suffolk University
- American R/E Academy, Broker's License
Currently A Member Of...
- President of SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment)
- Saugus Community Vision/Solution Committee
- North Shore Coalition for Health and the Environment
- Saugus Water Rivershed Council
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
Since I have two children attending the Lynnhurst School, it saddened me to see the lack of communication and confusion the parents and children had regarding the closing of the schools. I would have liked to see more information changing hands prior to the decision to close the Evans and the Ballard Elementary Schools.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
I would start off with a zero-based budget, and itemize every expediture in town --- including the school budget. We should allow for volunteer work to be done (e.g., volunteer teacher aids, volunteer librarians). Our census needs to include ALL people in town so that we can get more state and federal aid. Currently, our town census is incomplete. I would also suggest looking into businesses in town that have 'special' deals where their taxes may not increase year over year. This isn't fair.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
I support the local hotel room tax revenue being used to buy open space. This is not enough. We should look into supporting a Community Preservation Act where a small percentage of tax money goes to purchase open space. There have been many new developments that have been built in Precinct 5 over the past six years. After working with neighborhoods tryping to stop large developments I've realized that we need the help of fire, police, the DPW and others to explain that the infrastructure in Saugus cannot continue to support over-development.
Considering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
The Lynnhurst parents worked together over the summer to paint the Lynnhurst Elementary School. Until we do get an override, I would suggest the many businesses in Saugus supporting the schools so that we can make improvements. We should continue to promote fire prevention in our schools and in our homes. We need to find new sources revenue in town.
What else do you think is important?
- Wheelabrator / RESCO
- NO Third Burner at RESCO.
- Close the toxic Ash Landfill ASAP.
- I support the state moratorium on the building or expansion of incinerators.
- Cover the ash landfill EVERY day.
- Start testing the ash.
- How do they lose a radioactive device for weeks?
- Schools
- Condition of Schools
- After school programs
- Over-crowded classes
- Teacher / student ratio is high, especially in the elementary schools
- Ventatlation system and mold problems
- Poor library conditions in many schools
- West Side Fire Station
- Open Space
- Make developers accountable for impact on services in town
- Increase Recycling
- Taxes
Submitted: 2003/10/23
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 8
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Town Government
- Town meeting PCT 8
- Zoning Board of Appeals (alternate)
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Small Business Owner
- VCR Technologies Wakefield, Ma.
- Taxpayer, Home owner, Parent
Degrees Held / Education
- Graduated Lynn Vocational Technical School
- Several courses in Electronics and Small Business
Currently A Member Of...
- Town Involvement
- Board of Directors Chamber of Commerce
- President Elect Saugus Rotary Club
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
The closing of the schools has caused our current problems with overcrowded classrooms. I believe that neighborhood schools give our children a better education and the parents get a one on one relationship with there teachers. Example: A high percentage of high school class valedictorians have come from the Ballard School. The School Committee and town government need to work together within their budgets to reopen the closed schools. It may only be possible to reopen one school at the present time. One source of revenue is to lease the Marla Graves School and one of the two closed schools.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
- Overhaul the town budget to inure efficient spending and accountability.
- Look all areas of revenue that do not include raising taxes of fees.
The leasing closed schools and the D A V property on Walnut St. to an ambulance service to increase our protection and bring in much needed revenue.- Our State Representatives and Senators should push for the state to release more funds.
- We should also look into all grants we can receive.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
Open Space
With our current budget we can only pursue donations, grants and use the hotel tax
Traffic
Have a master plan for housing and business development. This has been presented in the past but never acted on. Spot zoning is partly to blame for our traffic. Rt. 1 would require the state and federal government to revise the highway. Revisiting our streets to see if our system of lights and stops signs are helping or hindering traffic.
Overcrowded Schools
Meet with the Town Manager, School Committee and Finance Committee to look into leasing the closed schools and there budgetsConsidering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
The voters voted against additional funds for fire fighters and new schools and will likely continue to do so.
The voters feel the town has no accountability on spending. When the town needs more money because of they're spending problem they raise taxes, rates and fees or talk about new ones. The Board of Selectman need to have honesty and integrity in dealing with the public in order to tell the voters why there is an increased cost of the services they have been accustomed to, also they must first look at all alternative sources of revenue.What else do you think is important?
- Condition of the schools,lack of books and leaning material
- Quality of live in our neighborhoods, open space, 40B, pollution, Resco's third burner (Do Not Support)
- Condition of our Roads, sidewalks, water and sewer system
- Not raising taxes rates or fee unless justified
- Not supporting new taxes, rates or fees.
- After hours parties on Route One strain the Police Dept, bring the wrong type of people into town and give us a black eye.
- The amount of lawsuits brought against the town because of our incompetence
- Third Fire Station (use the DPW garage to house an engine)
- Political fovors,conflicts of interest
Submitted: 2003/10/10
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 9
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Currently a Precinct 9 Town Meeting Member (7 years)
- Served as an Associate Planning Board Member (6 years)
- Served on the Pipeline Committee (now disbanded)
- etc.
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Currently the President / Founder of Saugus.net, part time Boston University faculty member, and freelance computer consultant. In the past, worked at Hewlett-Packard Medical and Siemens Medical Systems designing embedded software systems for medical devices; etc.
Degrees Held / Education
MS in Artificial Intelligence (NU), Dual BS in Physics & Mathematics (NU). Certified in various things (too numerous to mention here). Saugus High School graduate (in fact, attended Saugus schools all the way through).
Currently A Member Of...
- SAVE (honorary lifetime member)
- The Saugus Historical Society (on the Board of Directors and honorary lifetime member)
- The Saugus SETI Team
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
With a budget of nearly $22 million (not counting health insurance, pensions, the regional school assessment, etc. all of which is paid for out of the town-side budget for an additional $6.5 million or so) the closing of schools to save an estimated $1.5 million is extremely short-sighted (to get a feel for the numbers here, consider that the amount spent on salaries for principals, coordinators, and administrators is also not too far off from $1.5 million). I taught awhile at the high school; I know there were other solutions.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
We have to spend more intelligently. There are lots of little things that we can change, and they will add up. Some months ago I proposed that the town switch over to free software for its word-processing / spreadsheet / database needs for an estimated savings somewhere between $5 & $10 thousand per year in licensing fees. Now the state is doing something similar. While this is just one little thing, if every town official contributed something in his/her area of expertise, it would make a measurable difference.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
Obviously, preserving open space is the primary way to prevent additional traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools as these things are all directly related to population, and purchasing available land should be given more priority in the budget, and the CPA should be reconsidered. However, this won't help with the current traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools problem. Traffic & congestion can be helped both by reducing the number of trips people have to take (this can be facilitated by making more resources available online) and by making alternative modes of transportation (bikes and boats) more accessible. For overcrowded schools, see below...
Considering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
We need new ideas in both areas. I've suggested before that we consider volunteer and/or part-time firefighters. The only way to decrease current classroom size is to increase the number of teachers, and the volunteer and/or part-time approach can work with the schools, too. Obviously we'd have to be picky about whom we'd let volunteer, but it would take some pressure off the full-timers.
What else do you think is important?
We really have to start working on a plan for the West Side Fire Station, even if it means pulling some personnel from our already understaffed Central and Essex Street Fire Stations. It's a simple matter of safety for those west of Route One, and the developments on Main Street and the narrowing of the Lynn Fells Parkway only make the situation worse.
Submitted: 2003/09/30
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 10
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Presently I hold no political positions. I have assisted with the passing of new Saugus Bylaws to protect public health and the environment, articles 30, 31, 32, and presently assisting with the Ash management proposal now under review by the BOH.
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Machinist-28 years, I am presently employed at Artisian Industries Waltham, MA
Degrees Held / Education
- Army National Guard-6 years
- High School Graduate-East Boston High School
- Wenthworth Institute, CNC Certificate
- Labor Guild 2 years, Labor relations
Currently A Member Of...
- S.A.V.E
- North Shore Coalition for Health & the Environment
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
The closing of the Ballard school hit home, this was where my 2 kids James & Dana attended elementary school. It is a loss to our community. We need to come together as a town and look at how we are to address overcrowding. A long range goal needs to be set that we look at a single school every 3 years, plan for major changes one school at a time and carry through with these changes. By looking at the problem long range we can see a total resolution in the town in 12 years.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
Together with the Finance committe, town meeting members and all others who have a say in how money is allocated around town we need to make some tough choices. We need to start planning for a future emergency fund, we need not look at this fund as free cash. We need to allocate monies on priority basis and cut where cuts may be allowed without detrimental affects to the town and it's citizens. We need to remember that everyone is affected by today's financial crisis, especially our young families and our elderly who are on a fixed income.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
We need to preserve whatever spaces we have left at all cost. We need to build only after we give much thought to Schools, Police, Firefighters, and Emergency Management.
When we see how these departments are affected we can then manage the growth proposed then we proceed.Considering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
Please refer to first question.
What else do you think is important?
We need to also look long range at revamping and replacing all of our water pipes. Again setting a clear long term goal over the next 15 to 20 years, allocating a certain amount each year and proposing which streets will be converted to new pipes being laid in the ground. Before you know it 20 years go by we will have been proactive in handling a large issue rather than being reactive and seeing little to nothing done.
Submitted: 2003/10/18
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 10
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Never Run for Political Office but have experience on Commissions, successfully submitting Town Charter and By-Law changes and interface with some of the Town Departments. Secretary for Town of Saugus Disability Commission (97-99) Current Chairperson Town of Saugus Cemetery Commission
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Director of TF34 USAF A10 Warthog and USN S3 A/C Programs.
- 29 Years with General Electric.
Degrees Held / Education
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Currently A Member Of...
- Saugus Italian American Club
- Saugus K of C
- JFK Assembly 4 th Degree K of C
- Saugus American Legion
- GE Elfun Volunteers
- GE Employees' Good Neighbor Fund Board
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
Although I have no children in school system, I believe we must get our School systems up to standards with classroom sizes, accessibility, books etc. that will be beneficial to children's learning.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
We must do a thorough, one time override to address our Police, Fire and School Departments. We can't continually look at our businesses since if it were not for many of them, we would not have the sports, extra curricular activities and/or scholarships we have for the kids that we have today.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
Look for Conservation Land opportunities and donations of land. Most large areas that were previously undeveloped in process of development.
Considering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
Without override, only way would be to get creative on land sales of current town propety like High School Fields, Stackpole Field and/or Bristow St Park as examples, and build in other areas of town the schools and/or fire house needed that Town or State already owns.
What else do you think is important?
Right now I am concerned with our Police and public safety due to the night clubs, after hour clubs and the demand of Rt 1 with the small size or our force. We need to resolve safety items so we can move forward with other requirements.
Submitted: 2003/10/07
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 10
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
3 terms Selectman, 3 terms Town Meeting, 1 Term Finance Committee. Cliftondale School Leasing Study Committee, Town By Law Study Committee, RESCO Task Force
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Teacher / Technology Specialist - Winthrop Public Schools. Former Saugus educator for 21 years (1976 - 1997).
Degrees Held / Education
- BA - History - Salem State College (1976)
- Masters in Public Administration - Suffolk University (1991)
- Masters in Educational Leadership - Salem State College (2003)
Currently A Member Of...
What are your feelings concerning the closing of schools?
The closings of two schools with little notice and a lack of a plan for redistricting is unfortunate and trying for children and parents. While Saugus residents and taxpayers are always generous in their willingness to help it appears that the credibility of the Saugus Public Schools has been greatly diminished thus causing a lack of trust and support among voters and parents. Last minute plans and gasps for revenues will only worsen the already difficult situation faced by the Saugus Public School. Only sound planning and credible budgeting throughout Saugus government will result in renewed voter confidence.
How do we get out of the current budget crisis?
We don't get out of it by constantly rasing fees and asking to raise taxes. Better management of existing revenues including implementation of an acceptable accounting system in the Town Hall, Revenue Forecasts, enhanced collections and assessments as well as a clearly articulated and diligently finded capital program will go a long way to improving the economic climate established by town government.
Do you have any ideas about how to preserve open space and fight traffic, congestion, and overcrowded schools?
The Saugus School Committee is dead wrong in allowing maximum class size at the elementary school level when a research based educationally sound option was available to them and recommended to them by their Superintendent. That option was to place the 5th grade at the Middle School. Self interest and special interest prevented that from occuring. When they ask for more at Town Meeting they will be asked to defend this position.
Considering the fact that townsfolk have voted against new taxes for new schools and new firefighters, what can now be done to make improvements in these areas?
As previosuly stated, a well articulated and sustainably funded capital improvement program will address those issues that are forseable and predictable. Saugus has opted for a Town Manager form of government so that decisions about town owned buildings can be made quickly and efficiently. Town Meeting needs to demand that such a plan be put forth by the Manager if the Selectmen are unwilling to do so.
What else do you think is important?
That people vote. Precinct 10 has 5 town meeting members, yet at any given town meeting there are only 3 members from Precinct 10 present. Precint 10 will be asked, during the next 2 years, to accept a third burner and all the related health issues associated with that. Precict 10 will need attentive and focused members to advocate not only for the Precinct 10 but the best interest of Saugus.
Submitted: 2003/09/25
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
![[home]](/Icons/Extras/lilhome.gif){kind=icon}
![[up]](/Icons/Extras/lilup.gif){kind=icon}