Peabody bids farewell to 3 councilors

PEABODY-The city bid farewell to three longtime city councilors Tuesday night with a reception at City Hall.After serving over 45 years between them, Judy Selesnick, Fred Murtagh and Mike Zellen will no longer state opinions from their seat in Wiggin Auditorium. Both Murtagh and Selesnick have decided to retire, whereas Zellen lost his bid for re-election to Barry Sinewitz.Mayor Michael Bonfanti, state Rep. Joyce Spiliotis, and members of the Council were there to share kind words and personal anecdotes.?It?s an honor to be in a room with the greatest councilors Peabody has ever seen,” said current Councilor at Large Michael Garabedian, who likened Murtagh to his second father. “It?s a great day for Fred, Judy and Mike, but it?s a sad day for Peabody (because) we?re losing three great councilors.”Compassionate, respectful, intelligent, and classy were just a few of the many positive adjectives used to describe the departing Councilors.Ward 1 Councilor Barry Osborne referred to Selesnick as a “dynamic woman.”?She is so intelligent and so smart,” Osborne said. “As much intelligence as she possesses, she has more kindness and compassion.”Ward 4 Councilor Bob Driscoll said that in his 22 years working in the community, he?s had the privilege of learning so much from his former councilors.From Murtagh, Driscoll has learned the art of compromise; from Selesnick, how to be an intellect; and from Zellen, to be civil and always respectful.Councilor at Large Jim Liacos said he also learned a lot from the bunch. “The one thing Fred taught me is that democracy needs compromise,” he said, adding that you have to “win with grace and lose with grace.”?All these people left a mark on the city,” said Councilor-at-Large Ted Bettencourt. “I only hope that in years to come, I can leave a mark.”Murtagh joked that he was “all retired out,” but thanked the audience and fellow councilors for his opportunity to serve them for 28 years.?I really want to thank the citizens of Peabody who trusted me to make decisions on their behalf for 14 years,” said Selesnick, adding, “I?m not retiring from the city of Peabody, just from City Council.”Zellen got a bit emotional when it was his turn to say a few words from the podium.?Many don?t realize it?s better to give than to receive,” he said, clearing the lump in his throat. “I?m really not that big bad guy from Ward 6.”In closing, Bonfanti had one last thing to say: “I think this city has been well served.” By the large applause that followed, it seemed many others agreed.