Saugus selectman vows to attend meeting despite quorum

SAUGUS – Selectman Stephen Horlick told his colleagues Tuesday that if they wanted him to refrain from attending the next Hillside Protection Subcommittee meeting, they’re going to have to get physical.When the committee met for the first time last week, Horlick was essentially asked to leave because his presence would have resulted in a quorum for the Board of Selectmen, which would have resulted in an open meeting violation since the meeting had not been posted.Horlick argued that he was there as an average citizen, not as a selectman and he would make no comments during the meeting. Town Counsel John Vasapolli, who is a member of the subcommittee, said he wasn’t wholly comfortable with that plan.”I’m conservative and I give conservative advice,” he said. “If you want to run the risk of staying, then stay.”Horlick said he would go, but Tuesday he changed his mind.”I would like some clarification on when the committee was formed,” he said during the board’s regular meeting.Horlick then asked the board’s clerk Wendy Reed if anything regarding the subcommittee had been filed with her, to which she replied no.Selectman Peter Rossetti said he initially planned to bring up the subcommittee during a meeting that Horlick requested for last week, but that meeting was canceled due to a lack of a quorum.Instead he called a meeting for the subcommittee that included himself, board Chairman Donald Wong, Police Chief Domenic DiMella, Fire Chief James Blanchard, Building Inspector Frederick Varone, Developer Kevin Procopio, Hesper Street resident George DeCandia and Vasapolli.Rossetti said he purposely only included two selectmen so they wouldn’t be required to post meetings, making impromptu meetings easier.Horlick argued that the entire board should have had input on the subcommittee. Rossetti argued that the chairman could, at his own discretion, form a committee without the board’s consent.Selectman Michael Kelleher said the whole issue could have been better handled if the board could learn to communicate.”I would just suggest the level of communication be kicked up a notch,” he said. “The committee could accomplish something good, but I would ask that we all come together and communicate together as a town.”Kelleher said the board has too many issues to address to be playing games.Horlick said he simply wanted to remind Rossetti that there are five board members and all five should be involved in decision-making processes.He also said, “When you have other (meetings) I’ll be there and if you want me to leave you will have to physically remove me from the room.”