Although politically Saugus consists of ten precincts, traditionally it tends be loosely divided into eight major neighborhoods: Saugus Center, East Saugus, Cliftondale, Lynnhurst, North Saugus, the Golden Hills, Oaklandvale, and Kenwood. Some of these have their own organizations that focus on regional affairs, promote local business, or are simply social in nature. There is also a large develpoment of houses in Hammersmith Village, which is sometimes considered a neighborhood.
The three oldest are Saugus Center, Cliftondale, and East Saugus. Each has its own square and they have all been (incorrectly) represented at one time or another as independent towns on maps of lesser accuracy.
The Saugus Historical Society works to cultivate an interest in the history of the town of Saugus, and to collect and preserve all matter pertaining to the town's history and citizenry. The organization was begun in 1928.
The Saugus Chamber of Commerce started in 1971 under the name of the Route One Businessmen's Association. It changed its name in 1988 to the Route One Area Business Association; it became the Saugus Chamber of Commerce in 1991. The Saugus Business Partnership is sometimes confused with the Chamber, but is a distinct organization formed in 2003.
The Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) incorporated in 1973 and works toward a "better quality of life through environmental concern and action". It serves at once both as a volunteer organization (performing many duties including helping maintain the local tree farm) and a political organization (staging protests and taking public stands on local laws).
Saugus.net was founded in 1998 and exists independently of (but cooperatively with) the town government and other local organizations.
Other local organizations worthy of mention include the Friends of Saugus Town Hall, the Friends of Breakheart Reservation, the Saugus High School Alumni Association, Boy Scout Troops 61, 62 and 66, the Essex UFOlogists, and the Hammersmith Quilters' Guild.
There is also an association to renovate the track behind their middle school, for future use by their high school and middle school track and field teams. Currently, they have acquired the money they need to draw up the plans for the rebuilding, and are collecting money to go through the operation.
Saugus also has local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Masons, Rotary Club, Lions, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis Club, and the Rotary Club. (More information on these clubs can be found on their respective websites)
Saugus is also home to a community theatre group, the Theatre Company of Saugus. The company is noted for attracting celebrities to both directorial responsibilities and stage. |
