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Town Meeting creates Vacant School Facilities Assessment Committee after amendment
Summary
Saugus Town Meeting voted 48–0–1 to create a committee to assess vacant school buildings for structural condition, environmental hazards and redevelopment options; an amendment added the town manager or designee as a member.
Town Meeting on May 4 voted to establish a Vacant School Facilities Assessment Committee to evaluate vacant school buildings owned by the town — including Lynnhurst, Waybright, Oaklandvale, Ballard and Roby School — and report findings to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting.
The article was sponsored by Town Meeting members from Precinct 10 and introduced by Jenna Nuzzo, Precinct 10, who said the study aligns with the town’s Master Plan and would quantify maintenance costs and reuse options rather than allowing properties to deteriorate. Nuzzo provided handouts and asked members to “get the ball rolling” on assessing structural condition, environmental hazards (including asbestos), annual maintenance costs, demolition or rehabilitation estimates and potential redevelopment or leasing opportunities.
Opponents questioned whether the committee would duplicate the Town Manager’s charter responsibilities for town property. Town Counsel had earlier read an opinion that a separate Article (Article 32) directing the Town Manager to produce a report raised legal issues under the Town Charter; that article was returned to the maker. After debate, members adopted an amendment to add the Town Manager or his designee as a committee member. Supporters said the committee would help prioritize work on multiple sites and identify grant and remediation funding opportunities.
The motion to create the committee, as amended, passed by roll-call vote: Yea 48, Nay 0, Abstain 1. The approved committee will include five Town Meeting members (the sponsor plus members chosen by lottery), two members of the Board of Selectmen, one Finance Committee member, one citizen member chosen by the sponsor with building and planning experience, the Town Planner and the Town Manager or Designee. The committee is charged with assessing conditions, identifying hazards and costs, evaluating reuse or demolition, and reporting recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting.
Next steps: committee membership and timelines were not specified in the motion; the article requires the committee to report its findings to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting once formed.
