Lack of accountability in Saugus cited by panel
Cites major lack of accountability
The Charter Commission has identified six areas of town government in Saugus, including town elections and the duties of the town manager, that should be changed or improved to meet the demands of modern-day governing, according to a new report.
Public policy, finance, town meeting, and appointments to boards and commissions also are identified in the report released last week by the nine-member Charter Commission.
"This is a starting point," said Debra Panetta, commission vice chairwoman. "We now know the areas people think need to be looked at."
The charter was created by the state Legislature in 1947. It was last reviewed in 1983, when voters rejected a proposal to switch from a town to a city form of government. Since the current nine-member panel was elected, "Problems and Needs" is its first major report.
Town elections, from the length of a term to filling vacancies, should be examined, the report states. Saugus elects a Board of Selectmen, a School Committee, and 50 town meeting members every two years. Town meeting members' terms are staggered. But full slates of five selectmen and five School Committee members are elected every two years.
Public policy needs to include more accountability of both elected and appointed town officials, the report states.
The process of appointing the town manager also should be examined, according to the report, which states the Board of Selectmen now appoints the manager and negotiates a contract. But there is no formal evaluation process, no goal-setting requirement, or set length of time a person will serve, the report adds.
In addition, the report notes, the charter contains no provision to require town meeting members to disclose conflicts of interest in matters before them. Public employees who serve as town meeting members now vote on budgets, salary increases, and other financial matters from which they benefit, the report states. "There's no conflict of interest provision," said Peter Manoogian, commission chairman. "Again, that speaks to the accountability people want to see."
The authority of appointed boards and commissions should be clarified, the report states. It's unclear who cemetery commissioners and library trustees report to, and water and sewer rates are handled by two different bodies.
The commission will spend the next two months researching the charters of other local governments and is expected to issue a final report next spring.
Correction: Because of reporting errors, this article on the Saugus Charter Commission misstated the timing of Town Meeting elections and the method of setting sewer and water rates. All 50 Town Meeting seats come up for election every two years. Also, the Board of Selectmen sets sewer rates and Town Meeting members determine water rates.
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