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Saugus Annual Town Meeting approves multiple appropriations, elects moderator; hunting bylaw continued
Summary
At the May 4 meeting the Town elected Steve Doherty as moderator, approved several finance and capital articles (including $300,000 for hydrants and $150,000 for guard rails), passed a policy request on traffic calming, and carried discussion on a hunting/firearms bylaw to May 11.
Saugus Town Meeting convened May 4 and handled a package of finance, capital and policy items, electing Steve Doherty as Town Moderator and approving several warrant articles by voice vote.
Moderator election and procedural items: The meeting elected Steve Doherty (Precinct 4) as Town Moderator by unanimous voice vote. The Moderator read the code of conduct and members approved prior minutes unanimously.
Key appropriations and authorizations (voice votes unless noted):
- Article 4: Supplementary appropriations related to the 2025 Water Enterprise — recommended to indefinite postponement (unanimous). - Article 5: Supplementary appropriations related to the 2025 Sewer Enterprise — recommended to indefinite postponement (unanimous). - Article 6: Appropriation of $14,264.84 to fund unpaid prior-year bills; funding sources identified in the motion (FY25 municipal department general fund carryover $10,864.84; FY25 sewer enterprise fund carryover $315; FY26 School Department operating budget $3,085). Passed unanimously. - Article 7: Transportation Infrastructure Fund appropriation of $37,849.00 to be expended per Chapter 187 of the Acts of 2016 and M.G.L. c.44 §53. Passed unanimously. - Article 8: Revolving funds authorizations for FY2027 (Saugus Senior Center Programs $50,000; Senior Center Lunch $25,000; Water System Cross-Connection/Backflow $40,000; Compost/Recycling Facility $50,000; Youth & Recreation $195,000). Passed unanimously. - Article 10: Capital appropriation of $300,000 for repairing or replacing town water hydrants and valves, funded from certified free cash; Town Manager Scott Crabtree described this as part of a long-term capital plan. Passed unanimously. - Article 12: Capital appropriation of $150,000 for repairing or replacing town guard rails, funded from certified free cash; passed unanimously. - Article 30: Request for a town policy on speed tables and traffic calming devices (sponsored by Precinct 10 members) was approved; proponents cited speeding on Bristow Street and other corridors. - Article 31: Creation of a Vacant School Facilities Assessment Committee passed by roll-call vote (Yea 48, Nay 0, Abstain 1). (See separate article.) - Article 32: Motion to return the article to the maker (Town Manager report on vacant schools) carried by unanimous voice vote; Town Counsel had questioned the article’s propriety relative to the Town Charter. - Article 33: E‑bike/micromobility bylaw recommended as written (unanimous); the measure defines classes, sets operational limits and a graduated penalties/impoundment scheme. (See separate article.) - Article 34: Deferred to a later meeting. - Article 35: Nonbinding resolution urging timely, consistent and transparent compliance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c.66, §10) — passed unanimously. - Article 36: Proposed bylaw to restrict hunting and discharge of weapons on parks and other public property generated extended debate; some speakers urged targeted restrictions at Prankers Pond while others warned of unintended consequences for hunters and deer management. The Moderator moved to continue the item to the May 11 meeting.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned to May 11, 2026 by unanimous voice vote at 10:45 p.m.
The meeting record contains roll-call results where recorded; members and residents asked for follow-up on committee formation and Police Department enforcement guidance for the e‑bike bylaw.
