Board of Selectmen, May 10, 2017
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
May 10, 2017
6:37PM Starbard Building
Present: Chairman Anthony Renzoni, Geri Herlihy, Tim Ethier, Jeremy Kurtz, Robert Lavigne
Others Present: Peter Lukes, Town Manager
Liz Fotos, Town Recorder
Chairman Renzoni called the meeting to order at 6:37PM.
CODE OF CONDUCT COMPLAINT
Chairman Renzoni stated that after the joint meeting last week Sel. Ethier and Dave White, Fin Com had an argument in front of Town Hall. He stated that in his opinion it was two grown men arguing however Mr. Scheinfeldt who was a sitting Selectboard member at the time emailed him (Renzoni) and it was thus a compliant that needed to be taken up by the Board. He stated that it is his opinion that the Board take no action on this matter.
Chairman Renzoni passed out a copy of Mr. Scheinfelt’s email to the Board.
Mr. Lavigne stated that he would be abstaining.
Sel. Ethier stated that he had asked Chairman Renzoni for the time to speak with the Board regarding this matter. He stated that he had also spoken with Mr. Scheinfeldt about his email and he does not believe Mr. Scheinfeldt’s email to be an accurate portrayal of what occurred.
Sel. Ethier stated that during the meeting there was discussion back and forth regarding the school budget and after the meeting was adjourned both went down the stairs and Mr. White began with negative comments. He detailed the comments made by Mr. White and stated that he was almost shocked into silence and that he was shocked that no one else said anything in his defense.
Sel. Ethier asked to finish his recollection of the events. He stated that Mr. White attacked his past and stated that Mr. White used vulgar language when he was insulting him(Ethier). Sel. Ethier stated he did ask Mr. White where he worked.
Sel. Herlihy stated that it was two men arguing and had nothing to do with the school budget which was what was originally being discussed.
Chairman Renzoni stated that the argument was outside the meeting not in a meeting. He stated that Section 3J of the Handbook speaks to Civil and Professional speaking even as civilians and this is where the violation was; he stated it was his opinion that they take no action on this matter.
Sel. Ethier stated that he did not speak in an uncivilized manner and used no profanity. He stated that Mr. White bullied him and launched a variety of personal attacks. He stated that when challenged by a bully you speak up. He stated that he did ask Mr. White where he worked and that as member of the Building Committee that there was a conflict of interest. He stated that it may not have been the best time to bring that up. Sel. Ethier stated he did say one personal attack to Mr. White but apologized immediately and took it back. Sel. Ethier stated that Al Berg also got involved at which time Sel. Ethier told Mr. Berg he also had questionable behavior when he gave adversarial testimony against Holden.
Sel. Ethier stated he was assaulted, bullied, and called vile names. He stated he should have walked away but that when a bully attacks you, you stick up to them. He stated that he does not believe he did anything wrong and that there was disgraceful behavior but not by him, by Dave White.
Chairman Renzoni stated that Mr. White stated that the argument should not have happened and that he said that he (White) was as much to blame as Sel. Ethier. He stated that Mr. White wanted to speak at the meeting tonight; but Chairman Renzoni would not allow it but agreed to pass along his (White) comments.
Sel. Ethier stated that it was not him that said horrible personal things and that Mr. White behaved disgraceful.
Chairman Renzoni stated that multiple people tried to diffuse the situation.
Sel. Lavigne left the meeting at 6:49PM.
Sel. Lavigne returned to the meeting at 6:50PM.
Chairman Renzoni stated that he tried to diffuse the situation with both Sel. Ethier and Mr. White. He stated that they were arguing in a filmed broadcast briefing on the budget and he wished Sel. Ethier did not take the bait.
Sel. Ethier asked if anyone thought to say to Mr. White that the things he was saying were inappropriate. He stated he was not going to apologize for defending himself and that it was Mr. White who was being disgraceful.
Sel. Herlihy stated that Sel. Ethier did accuse Mr. White about a conflict of interest with his job.
Chairman Renzoni stated that matter was not on the agenda not was it the Board’s business. He stated if anyone believes Mr. White has a conflict of interest they can file a formal complaint with the appropriate parties.
Sel. Kurtz stated that after the meeting was adjourned he followed both men outside. He stated that he tried to step in twice and asked Sel. Ethier to walk away twice. He stated he was ignored by both men. He stated it is important to be able to walk away. He stated that he supports the take no action and he hopes this does not happen again.
Sel. Ethier stated that he is hopeful that being personally attacked doesn’t happen again to him as well.
Sel. Kurtz stated that Sel. Ethier could have walked away and filed a complaint against Mr. White but instead the two went at it in front of Town Hall. He stated that swearing aside, neither man was big enough to separate.
Sel. Ethier stated that it seems as though the Board thinks both parties were equally responsible for the argument. He stated that he was verbally assaulted and his response was to point out something he felt needed to be pointed out.
Chairman Renzoni stated they were not there to pass judgment. He stated that the Board has a Code of Conduct and that it is his recommendation that they take no action. He stated that the only reason this matter was being addressed was because a sitting Selectmen at the time sent a complaint. He stated that he believes it was unprofessional to have a fight in front of Town Hall and makes Town Politics seem ugly. He stated that this was unfortunate to have to address this tonight but that Sel. Ethier is a good person and worked hard and had a control issue in this situation. He stated that the Board of Selectmen had a Code of Conduct that needed to be refreshed in the June Board Meeting. He asked if there was anyone that wished to take any action in this situation.
Sel. Ethier stated that he was verbally attacked that night in a vicious personal attack and there was nothing that happened until they were outside of Town Hall. He stated that he planned to bring this up again as it was a bullying attack against his character.
Chairman Renzoni stated that they needed to be able to handle these situations as they were in positions of leadership in the Town and they needed to put their best foot forward.
Sel. Ethier stated that he thinks his response to the personal attacks were understandable. He stated that he thinks it is important to bring up to the Town that he is level headed and that he has been on the wrong end of a few tough votes recently. He stated that this is a majority rule situation and he has always been graceful and respectful when that happens.
The Board took no action on this matter.
REORGANIZATION
Chairman Renzoni thanked everyone for their support throughout the year. He stated that it had been a hard year with the retirement of Ms. Kelly and negotiations that ensued with that and then with the DPW Building, and negotiations with Mr. Lukes taking the Town Manager position. He stated that he believes Mr. Lukes is the future of the Town and if he keeps up his hard work and performance that he has had thus far in his first three months, he will be happy to support Mr. Lukes for the future. He stated with that being said, he wanted to open it up for a motion to the floor for Chairman of the Board. He stated if there were no motions he would reevaluate how to move forward.
Sel. Kurtz stated that tonight’s conversation was a difficult one to be had. He stated that looking at the dynamics of the Board he wished to elect newly elected Sel. Lavigne as the Chair for the Board.
Sel. Herlihy seconded the motion.
Sel. Kurtz stated that looking around the room; he does not think that Sel. Renzoni should have multiple terms in a row.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he will serve where the Board thinks is best but he does not think that he should serve two terms as Chairman in a row.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he is not personally in the right spot to be able to serve as Chair. He stated he served as best he could and that he believes he does a good job for the community but he cannot commit to the role of a Chairman. He stated that he thinks Sel. Herlihy is still getting her feet wet to understand the process and that leaves Sel. Ethier or Sel. Lavigne. He stated if he actively looked over the past few months, he agreed that they disagree sometimes and Sel. Ethier does it eloquently in the meetings but he feels as though the Board has a charge to look out for the Town as a whole and some of Sel. Ethier’s recently decisions and arguments make him question if he is looking out for the Town or if he is in it all for the schools. He stated that the Chair needs to be balanced.
Sel. Kurtz stated that is why he nominated Sel. Lavigne for Chair.
Chairman Renzoni stated the motion was for Lavigne as Chair not someone else to not be chair.
Chairman Renzoni asked Sel. Herlihy to yield so Sel. Ethier could address the Board.
Sel. Ethier stated that he had been the Chairman before and he thinks he is the logical choice but majority rules. He stated that he does not think he only stands up for the schools. That he has fought over other things such as DPW, Ag Com, and other things. He stated that he has a long term connection to people in Holden and he does have strong view points but he believes he makes his arguments respectfully and believes he would be a good Chair.
Sel. Herlihy stated that she agrees about balance and believes Sel. Lavigne will bring balance and an even hand to the Board.
Sel. Lavigne stated that he would serve in any capacity the Town thinks he would be most beneficial. He stated that this was a good Board and he will do what the Board wishes.
Chairman Renzoni stated that he thinks this argument is unfortunate and that while he does not agree with Sel. Ethier on everything he always respects his opinion. He stated he is sincere and passionate about schools and he does not argue his points. He stated that he thinks the argument out front left a bad taste for some people and he does support Sel. Lavigne. He stated this was a tough year that they will be negotiating Town Manager contracts and Sel. Lavigne had negotiated two Town Manager contracts in the past. He stated that he also thinks Sel. Lavigne can help move the DPW project and that he is a good person for the role. Chairman Renzoni moved the question.
Sel. Ethier stated that he believed Sel. Lavigne left the Board previously for work commitments; he asked if that was any longer a problem and if Sel. Lavigne had the time to commit.
Sel. Lavigne stated that had changed and he would not have run if it hadn’t.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Herlihy, it was UNANIMOSLY VOTED TO ELECT SEL. LAVIGNE TO THE POSITION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ELECT SEL. HERLIHY TO THE POSITION OF VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ELECT SEL. RENZONI TO THE POSITION OF CLERK FOR THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
The Board of Selectmen scheduled a meeting prior to Town Meeting, May 15, 2017 at Wachusett Regional High School.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MAY 10, 2017 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AT 7:20PM.
APPROVED: ______June 5, 2017 as amended___________