(Please note that Debra Panetta has withdrawn from this race.)
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 5
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Chairperson, Saugus School Committee
- Town Meeting Member (8 years)
- Saugus River Watershed Council (Board of Directors)
- SAVE (past President)
- SHORE Collaborative Board of Directors
- Saugus Vision and Scope Committee
- Chairperson: Recycling sub-Committee
- Family Related Apartments Committee (Secretary)
- Lynnhurst PTO
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Current: Tufts Health Plan, Manager of Senior Product (Actuarial) Prior position: Wellpoint, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (6 years) Prior position: John Hancock, Senior Financial Officer (10 years)
Degrees Held / Education
Suffolk University, BSBA, Accounting Northeastern University, Masters in Business Administration American Real Estate Academy (Broker's license) Life Management Association (ACS designation) Toastmasters (Advanced Toastmasters Gold and Competent Leader designations)
Currently A Member Of...
- Saugus School Committee Chairperson
- Saugus Historical Society
- Toastmasters (President)
- Tree Committee
- Fine Arts sub-committtee
- SAVE
- Saugus River Watershed Council
- Friend of the Saugus Library
- Friends of Breakheart
- Blessed Sacrament
- North Shore Health Coalition
- Joint Committee on School Buildings
There was talk recently of the state taking over Saugus; would this be good or bad, and why?
I met with the Department of Revenue back in January, and they convinced me that having the state take over the town is bad for Saugus. When the state comes in, the townspeople no longer have a voice. We have to pay big salaries for these state representatives to come into our town, and we will (the town) be responsible for paying back any loans taken. I believe we can work together, as a community, to solve our fiscal problems. At the meeting, it was made clear that if we couldn't control our expenses, a control board would come into our town and make all the decisions for us -- without citizen input. If this happened, Saugus would also be the first town to be taken over by a control board.
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce expenses?
Having the town workers sign into the GIC was a big step towards reducing expenses. This should produce significant savings. I believe that we need more public input into the annual budget prior to it being voted on by the Selectmen. We should have a budget review meeting every quarter to compare departmental spending to the budget. We should start off with a zero based budget, and work our way up as opposed to just adding onto the last year's budget. Accountability and transparency are key as move forward.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
I think we need to bring back credibility and trust into our town. There are many disheartened people after all the financial woes we've seen over the past couple of years. We still have a fiscal problem, even though we've taken steps to address this issue. The Town Manager still needs to address the other union contracts, but it is imperative that we build up a reserve (stabilization fund). I also think that new/refurbished schools are a must for our children. The School Committee and Selectmen should work more closely to ensure that the budgeted dollars for the School Department is fair. I think the establishment of the Joint Committee on School Building was an important first step in collaboration between the Selectmen and the School Committee.
Do you have any ideas on how Saugus can best protect its neighborhoods from overcrowding?
I started in politics years ago due to the overcrowding in my neighborhood. I live in Precinct 5, and there were 5 new developments being built. We first created a neighborhood task force, but then I joined SAVE and we worked together on zoning issues. When there is a new proposed development, town meeting members from that precinct should work with the neighbors and attend Planning Board meetings to ensure the neighborhoods are protected. We have seen that the current infrastructure in town cannot continue to support over-crowding.
What else do you think is important?
- Safety: having the proper Fire and Policemen on duty
- Schools:
- low class size
- continue to improve student achievement
- focus on improving MCAS scores
- reduce/eliminate student activity fees
- condition of schools
- upgrade technology
- bringing back art and music to elementary students
- updated textbooks
- RESCO: no third burner, closing of the ash landfill
- Correct town census
- Keeping our Library & Senior Center open
- Drug/Smoking/Peer pressure education for our youth
- I&I sewer problem
- Town Infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, water and sewer system)
- West-Side Fire Station
- Obtaining grant money
- Government accountability / transparency
- Preserving Open Space
- Increase Recycling
- Affordable Housing
Submitted: 2007/10/25
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 6
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Was elected and served on the Saugus School Committee 97-99; 99-2001; (took some time off) 2005-2007; and am now running for re-election.
Current Occupation / Work Experience
I was hired as Assistant Clerk to the Saugus Board of Selectmen in 1996 and in 1998 became Clerk to the Board of Selectmen.
Degrees Held / Education
Currently A Member Of...
There was talk recently of the state taking over Saugus; would this be good or bad, and why?
No answer provided
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce expenses?
No answer provided
What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
No answer provided
Do you have any ideas on how Saugus can best protect its neighborhoods from overcrowding?
No answer provided
What else do you think is important?
No answer provided
Submitted: 2007/10/23
Has not yet participated.
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