Town Government
Saugus Boards & Commissions
What Boards & Commissions Are
Beyond the Selectmen, the Manager, and Town Meeting, a lot of Saugus governs itself through volunteer boards and commissions. They review new development, hear zoning appeals, guard historic and natural resources, and advise the town on aging, recreation, and accessibility. This is where an ordinary resident has the most direct hand on the wheel.
The Town Manager nominates most members and the Board of Selectmen approves them, and members serve fixed terms. The meetings are public, and plenty of boards have empty seats waiting to be filled.
Key Boards & Commissions
- Planning Board: reviews subdivisions, site plans, and new development.
- Board of Appeals (Zoning): hears variances and special permits.
- Board of Assessors: oversees property valuation and assessment.
- Board of Health: protects public health and the environment.
- Conservation Commission: protects wetlands and natural resources.
- Historical Commission: preserves the town’s historic character.
- Council on Aging: guides services for older residents.
- Youth & Recreation Commission: oversees recreation programs.
- Commission on Disabilities: advances accessibility and rights.
For the full roster, current members, vacancies, and schedules, see saugus-ma.gov.
How to Serve
- Find an opening on the town’s boards and commissions page.
- Submit an application or letter of interest to the Town Manager’s office.
- Interview if you are asked, then await appointment, since most seats are nominated by the Manager and approved by the Selectmen.
- Serve: show up to the public meetings and help decide for your town.
Sources
Saugus government website (saugus-ma.gov). Verified July 2026.
What this seat decides
Your other boards
Board of Health. Tobacco and nicotine sales, flavored products, food permits, and housing conditions. It can pass a binding regulation on its own, without a Town Meeting vote.
Planning Board. Where housing or businesses can be built, height limits, and a specific development. It holds the public hearing, and the zoning change itself is voted by Town Meeting: two thirds for most changes, a simple majority for the housing changes the law lists.
Conservation Commission. A stream, a wetland, a marsh, or a pond.
Library Trustees. Library hours, programs, and policy. The money it spends is voted by Town Meeting.
Parks and Recreation Commission. A field, a court, a playground, or a park. The money to build one is voted by Town Meeting.
Historical Commission. An old building, and how it can be protected and preserved.
Serving on a board is one of the most direct ways to shape Saugus.