(Please note that Janette Fasano has withdrawn from this race.)
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 8
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Currently Selectman, member of Affordable Housing Committee, and previously Town Meeting Member and Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate)
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Owner of VCR Technologies in Wakefield, MA
Degrees Held / Education
Graduate of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute,and completed courses and seminars related to current business
Currently A Member Of...
Not active with any organization at this time. Past President of the Saugus Rotary, Past Board of Directors of the Saugus Chamber of Commerce, past member of S.A.V.E.
There was talk recently of the state taking over Saugus; would this be good or bad, and why?
Saugus needs a strong financial plan to ensure this does not happen. If the State comes in, property values would be affected throughout the town. Saugus would have to pay the Control Board that would be running the financial affairs of the town. We would also lose our independence when it comes to making financial decisions. The Control Board could raise water and sewer rates, impose a trash fee, and raise or create any other fees that they deem necessary to make Saugus financially solvent. They could also eliminate departments that they feel are not necessary, and remain in Saugus for several years.
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce expenses?
By entering the GIC, Saugus has reduced its current and future expenses for Health Insurance. Saugus will be signing a new trash contract next year. We should look at weekly recycling, recycling education programs, along with incentive based recycling where Saugus receives payment for its recyclables. This would increase recycling, thus cutting our tipping fees to Resco, and saving the taxpayers money. I have expressed my concern of the indirect costs of the Sewer Enterprise Account, and have asked for a cost analysis on using outside contractors vs. town employees to do water and sewer repairs.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
The Board of Selectmen needs to sit down collectively with the Town Manager to come up with a Financial Plan to restore the cuts that have been made to all departments. It is estimated we will have between $2 and $3 million in additional revenue next year. Deep cuts have been made to the School Department. Our Schools need technology, text books, additional classroom supplies, and restoring classes and programs that have been cut. Bus and Sports Fees are extremely high. That is why we need to have a meeting with the School Committee to find out what additional funds the schools will need. This will help lessen the financial burden that has been placed on the parents. The Financial Plan is the key to make all of this work.
Do you have any ideas on how Saugus can best protect its neighborhoods from overcrowding?
As Selectmen, we appoint and / or confirm the members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Conservation Commission. As a Selectman, I choose individuals that, I believe, will preserve the values of the town and its neighborhoods when voting. When I vote for an S2 Permit, I make sure that certain restrictions are put on that permit, such as buffer zones, and that the remaining land of the project is put into perpetuity, which means that the project cannot be expanded in the future. Saugus currently has house lot size of 20k sq ft and R1 Single Family Zoning, which currently prohibits high density multi-family homes from being built.
What else do you think is important?
Constituent Service - I have never been too busy to talk to or discuss an issue with Saugus residents. Better communication between the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen - The town should never have to experience, again, having a deficit, not having additional funds, having an additional $1 million, to eliminating the deficit, to predicting a deficit in April of 2008. That is why I have been asking for a solid Financial Plan for over a year, in order to stop putting the residents through this financial uncertainty. Saugus should not be putting additional burdens on its residents with Trash Fees and Overrides. The residents of Saugus are struggling to make ends meet. They are dealing with higher fuel, energy, and higher costs to maintain and run their households. That is why having accountability on spending is so important.
Submitted: 2007/10/28
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Political Web Page: http://www.ElectMaltais.com/
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 6
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting Member 05 â Present
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Simulcast Coordinator for Suffolk Downs Racetrack
Degrees Held / Education
Product of the Saugus School System; Associates Degree in Criminal Justice
Currently A Member Of...
There was talk recently of the state taking over Saugus; would this be good or bad, and why?
If the Commonwealth instituted a control board Saugus would have been the first community with a town form of government to have this distinction. Decisions would have been made for us, without our citizens input. The first step the state would have taken would be the trash fee that I adamantly apposed and voted against during Town Meeting. Springfield is under a control board and they have a trash fee that is imposed by the state. The bottom line is we should have seen this coming long ago, this downward spiral did not happen overnight. I believe a financial plan for the immediate and distant future would have prevented this possibility.
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce expenses?
Selectmen must think outside the box. Obviously, their current way of thinking has not improved our situation regarding expenses. I would also like to see a study from the police and fire chiefs regarding how many officers and firefighters we need so we may reduce our overtime budget. In the past, the reason for not hiring additional help was the exuberant health care costs incurred by the town. With the early acceptance of the G.I.C. and savings, Saugus is expected to see in health care we must address the work force shortage that we have in our police and fire departments. A closed fire station and three officers protecting Saugus while we sleep are unacceptable for our citizens.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
A quality education for our children is the biggest challenge Saugus will face in the next two years. Our outdated textbooks and sub par technology is atrocious. Our school system has taken budget cuts so deep they are impossible to fix in a span of two years, not to mention our school buildings will be two years older. I would like to forge a working relationship with our school committee when I become your elected official.
Do you have any ideas on how Saugus can best protect its neighborhoods from overcrowding?
If we prevent overcrowding in our neighborhoods, we also prevent overcrowding in our classrooms. We need to lure developers into town who will build what Saugus would like to see, like 55+ housing or more one-bedroom units. Both would reduce overcrowding in the classroom.
What else do you think is important?
The families and elderly of Saugus deserve elected officials they can trust. If you tell the citizens the sky is falling and it does not fall, you must have a valid reason why it did not.
Submitted: 2007/10/23
Political Web Page: http://www.rob22.com/
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 4
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Law is political in nature. Attorneys are often involved in highly charged emotional issues, negotiations and investigations. Just as selectmen meet and decide matters as an administrative board, attorneys are called to make regular appearances before administrative and judicial boards.
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Attorney private practice, Saugus, MA. Practice areas: trial and appellate litigation, real estate, business, probate, estate planning, and guardian ad litem.
- Military Major, U.S. Marine Corps. Fifteen years of combined active and reserve service. Recalled to serve the U.S. in Operation Desert Storm.
- Certifications: Certified in: Children and Family Law Trial & Appeals; Mental Health Litigation & Appeals; Criminal Appeals. Approved appellate mentor. Licensed to practice in: Massachusetts, U.S. Military Courts and Federal District Court of Massachusetts.
- Published opinions: (partial list) Adoption of Edmund, 50 Mass. App. Ct. 526 (2000); Adoption of Donald, 52 Mass. App. Ct. 901 (2001); Adoption of Salvatore, 57 Mass. App. Ct. 929 (2003); Adoption of Elena, 446 Mass. 24 (2006).
Degrees Held / Education
- New England School of Law: Dean's List; Top 20% of Class; Juris Doctor.
- Boston College: Bachelor's degree in Political Science.
- U.S. Marine Corps: Officer Training School.
- Naval Justice School: Certified military prosecutor and defense counsel.
- Postgraduate education: Extensive and continuing.
Currently A Member Of...
St. Margaret's Parish, Massachusetts Bar Association.
There was talk recently of the state taking over Saugus; would this be good or bad, and why?
Please see Mr. McCarthy's website www.rob22.com for a detailed answer.
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce expenses?
Yes. Please see Mr. McCarthy's website www.rob22.com for details.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
The budget crisis is the biggest challenge facing the Town of Saugus. Please see Mr. McCarthy's website www.rob22.com for more information.
Do you have any ideas on how Saugus can best protect its neighborhoods from overcrowding?
Yes. Please see Mr. McCarthy's website www.rob22.com for details.
What else do you think is important?
Vulnerable citizens such as the very young, old, abused and sick need a voice and cannot be forgotten or marginalized. Organizations that help such people should be supported. Please see Mr. McCarthy's website www.rob22.com to read about other identified issues.
Submitted: 2007/10/26
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 1
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Chairman Saugus Board of Slectmen Former Twon Meeting Member and Zoning Board of Appeals member
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Attorney, Public/Tax Account/Insurance Agent/Broker Many years for all except the attorney. Passed the bar in 2006
Degrees Held / Education
BS Finance/Insurance Northeastern, Masters Taxation Bentley Coolege Master Certification Personal Finance - Bentley College, Juris Doctorate Mass School of Law Andover, MA
Currently A Member Of...
Saugus Chamber of Commerce Massachusetts & Essex County Bar Saugus Lion Club SAVE Saugus Town Democratic Committee
There was talk recently of the state taking over Saugus; would this be good or bad, and why?
It is very bad. It will take the control of town affairs from local people, citizens of Saugus,and give it to a state board that will make decisions solely on financial issues. Saugus will pay these people, handsomely, but they will have control of what happens in Saugus. Saugus residents will no veto pawer. They will also not bring into Saugus an open checkbook. Any money that, they might give us, suchj as they gave to Springfield, will have ot be repaid, as it was in the past.
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce expenses?
The GIC is a big way to reduce expenses. It will cap health expenses, and allow us to budget accurately. Entrance to the GIC is a huge thing. We are the first city or town ot be allowed to join voluntarily. Spirngfiled was forced to join. The State delegration believed that we were in a seriousl poisiton and rallyed their fellow legislators to help us. We still have many other areas to address, but this is a first step and a big one. I was very happy to be one of hte suppporters of this from the start.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
The biggest challenge to Saugus is being able to provide the necessary services to the citizens without increasing taxes and fees beyond what people can afford. There will have to be increases in the future, just due to inflation, but it is irresponsible to say there will never be increases. there will have to be just due to 2 1/2
Do you have any ideas on how Saugus can best protect its neighborhoods from overcrowding?
Saugus have very strict zoning laws. I served on the Board of Appeals for 17 years. I know the rules are strict. Issues with 40B &40R have to be deal with. In general this is a zoning question, and not something that the Board of Selectmen deal with. Selectmen deal with S-2 permit for special use. An example of that was the recent issue with the Eastern Tool Property. It never got the BOS, but had it, they would have to decide if that use, a trash facilty was a good one. We never got the question, but I think it would have been decided against the question.
What else do you think is important?
I think it is important to have a stable town government. There has to be someone responsible for what happened. A change in town government removes some of the history and responsibilty. Town officials have to be able to respond to citizens questions. If soneone has a question it is important to be able to have someone answer it.
Submitted: 2007/10/22
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Precinct: 9
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting Member (2 years)
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Help run a family business. A business that has been in Saugus for three generations and fiftyseven years.
Degrees Held / Education
Currently A Member Of...
- Saugus Business Partnership (founder & president)
- Saugus Business Educational Collabortive (board member)
- Asian American Commission (board member)
- 3rd generation Shriner
- 3 generation (The Hundred Club member)
- Saugus Library Foundation
There was talk recently of the state taking over Saugus; would this be good or bad, and why?
I think it would be bad. Because then we would have no say in which our town should be run.
Do you have any ideas about how to reduce expenses?
We should be doing more financial planning and looking for more grant money.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the Town of Saugus in the next two years?
- Budgets, contracts, and planning a head on the future of our buildings, schools, and open space.
- Chapter 40B housing.
- Over 55 housing.
Do you have any ideas on how Saugus can best protect its neighborhoods from overcrowding?
Enforce the present zoning laws and subdivision rules and regulations.
What else do you think is important?
Unifying all the groups and factions to work together.
Submitted: 2007/11/05
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