Saugus Finance Committee backs appropriations, delays sewer supplement ahead of May 4 Town Meeting

The Saugus Finance Committee voted unanimously April 22 to recommend a slate of appropriations and revolving-fund authorizations to appear on the May 4 Annual Town Meeting warrant, while also recommending the indefinite postponement of a sewer-related supplement.

Chairman Ken DePatto opened the meeting by noting the Committee was preparing articles for May 4 and that the School Department requested the school budget be considered at the end of the month; he said he was awaiting opinions from Town Counsel and expected them by Friday before posting that meeting.

The Committee recommended funding of $14,264 to cover unpaid bills from prior fiscal years, with the sources specified as $10,864 from municipal department general fund carryover, $315 from fiscal 2025 sewer enterprise fund carryover and $3,085 from the fiscal 2026 school department general fund operating budget. The motion to recommend the appropriation passed 8-0.

Finance Director and Treasurer/Collector Wendy Hatch told the Committee that the Department of Public Utilities charges a fee on rideshare trips that is distributed to communities and that Saugus proposes to use its Transportation Infrastructure Fund for the related appropriation. The Committee voted 8-0 to recommend Article 7 in the amount of $37,849 to be expended under Chapter 187 of the Acts of 2016 and MGL c.44 §53.

The Committee also recommended FY2027 spending caps for several revolving funds under Section 405.00 of the Town bylaws: Saugus Senior Center Programs and Activities — $50,000; Senior Center Lunch Program — $25,000; Water System Cross-Connection/Backflow — $40,000; Compost/Recycling Facility — $50,000; and Youth & Recreation Programs and Activities — $195,000. The recommendation was unanimous.

Town Manager Scott Crabtree described the $300,000 request to repair and replace town water hydrants and valves as part of the town’s ongoing capital and preventive-maintenance efforts; the Committee voted 8-0 to recommend that appropriation from certified free cash.

Article 12 proposes $150,000 to repair and replace town guardrails, with staff noting the town seeks insurance reimbursement when responsible drivers and insurers can be identified. The transcript contains an inconsistent duplicate line that repeats a hydrant appropriation amount; the article text lists $150,000 and the Committee recorded a unanimous recommendation.

The Committee voted 8-0 to recommend indefinitely postponing the sewer enterprise supplemental appropriation (Article 5), which the record shows was not needed to close FY2026.

Votes at a glance

- Article 5 (Sewer enterprise supplement): recommended indefinitely postponed — Committee vote 8-0. - Article 6 (Unpaid prior-year bills): recommend appropriation of $14,264 — Committee vote 8-0. - Article 7 (Transportation Infrastructure Fund): recommend appropriation of $37,849 — Committee vote 8-0. - Article 8 (Revolving funds FY2027): recommend authorizations as proposed — Committee vote 8-0. - Article 10 (Water hydrants and valves): recommend appropriation of $300,000 — Committee vote 8-0. - Article 12 (Guardrails): recommend appropriation of $150,000 (proposed) — Committee vote 8-0.

The Committee adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The recommended articles will go to the full Town Meeting on May 4 for final action.