Sherborn - Things got ugly at the July 14 meeting of the Sherborn Board of Selectmen when the board members entered into a verbal altercation, lasting approximately 20 minutes. The board hadn’t even accepted the agenda yet before the argument began, which left spectators audibly sighing, visibly frustrated and at times even laughing at the politicians’ behavior.
The argument began when Selectmen George X. Pucci offered criticism towards Chairman Thomas Twining’s decision to remove certain items from the agenda.
The item in question was a planned discussion to talk about an adverse decision from the superior court going against the town in a land development case, based out of Whitney Farms. The third selectman, Paul DeRensis said that the case, which has been ongoing since 2001, has cost approximately $200,000 for the town.
Whitney Farms is built near an important Sherborn aquifer; while the developers wish to expand over it, the town has resisted the plan. While the water is not used for Sherborn drinking water, the town wants to protect it for reserve waters.
Pucci was upset that the discussion was removed because the decision was made without a conversation with the rest of the board. He said that he felt Twining was walking all over the rulebook.
“You are running the town,” he said to Twining. “You’re acting like king of the town.”
Twining said that the decision was made because in his eyes it was likely the case would be rejected if appealed, and so it would be a waste of time.
“We knew the adverse decision was coming,” he said to Pucci.
Although the argument was primarily between Twining and Pucci, DeRensis got dragged in as well, when Pucci made allegations that the two made the decision together.
Pucci said during the meeting that Twining took the item off the agenda because DeRensis asked him to do so.
“You two are unilaterally allowing for the 30-day appeal to run,” Pucci said, referring to the other selectman.
DeRensis, who is no longer chairman, said that he was distressed by Pucci’s allegations, because only the chairman has the power to add or remove items from the agenda, and so he had nothing to do with the change.
He said that Pucci’s behavior at the meeting was hard to deal with.
“When he gets angry, you can’t talk to him,” he said.
After nearly 20 minutes, DeRensis called for an emergency meeting to discuss the issue. He said that despite their differences in opinion, the board should find a solution, and move on.
“I don’t agree with you George,” he said. “But I’m trying to accommodate you.”
The meeting was planned for 11 a.m. on July 20 when the selectmen will gather to discuss whether to appeal the court’s decision.
When the board finally agreed to move into public comment, a man stood up in the back of the room. His name was Andy Errico, and he has lived in Sherborn his whole life.
“It’s just embarrassing as a person who grew up here to see the town as it’s turned into,” he said.
In front of the chairman and nearly 20 spectators, he spoke of his disappointment in the board. After receiving a round of applause, he offered one last comment.
“For the good of the town and the community, we need to work together,” he said.
Evan Koslof
7/20/11
Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sherborn/features/x1797073647/Sherborn-Selectmen-criticize-each-other-over-roles-and-rules#axzz1SgngCHd6
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