Stephen Cole
By Bridget Turcotte
SAUGUS — Stephen Cole has been hired as the town’s new planning and development director.
Cole has experience working for the city of Springfield, where he filled several roles, including operations manager of development services, chief of staff for the mayor and project manager for the financial division.
Most recently he worked as the director of economic development for the city of Hartford, Conn.
As the head of the newly-created Planning and Development Department, Cole will tackle land use and planning; energy, housing and open space projects and initiatives; infrastructure needs assessments; and conduct efforts to attract economic development.
He will oversee Krista Leahy, who assumed the role of town planner at the end of August.
“I am pleased to welcome Stephen to his new role as director of planning and development for the town of Saugus,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “Stephen has a wealth of experience and qualifications, and I am confident that he will bring these assets to the job.”
Crabtree created the department in place of the economic development department. Duties of the town’s former economic development officer, Bob Luongo (who left the department in the spring), were divided into two roles to better serve Saugus’ needs, Crabtree said in a statement.
“I am extremely excited to be given this great opportunity to have a positive impact on the town of Saugus,” Cole said in a statement. “I am confident that my skills and professional development will serve me well as the director of planning and development, and I look forward to getting to know the community and getting to work.”
Cole received a Master of Arts degree in public policy from Trinity College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Westfield State University. He has experience working in the planning and development field and in municipal government.
“Thank you to the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and Town Meeting for their support of this new department, which will greatly benefit the taxpayers by promoting economic growth and increasing annual revenue for the town,” said Crabtree.