Marblehead town manager’s methods challenged at meeting

MARBLEHEAD – In an unusual incident six of the seven candidates for the Board of Selectmen were asked if “the town administrator (has) too much authority over the Board of Selectmen” at Monday’s candidate’s night – and one challenger said Town Administrator Tony Sasso has “abused his power” in the past.Realtor Christopher Hartley, who said his campaign began when he became “a volunteer vice” on traffic problems in his Leggs Hill Road neighborhood, said he thought the town manager has too much authority over the selectmen.”I think he’s very knowledgeable but that position has been given a certain amount of power. I think the power has been abused in the past and I think that should be changed,” Hartley said.Incumbent Selectman Jackie Belf-Becker said, “I have never seen Tony Sasso abuse his power.” She also pointed out that Sasso reports to the selectmen, who appoint him.Other candidates supported Sasso.”Every time we have a problem we go to Tony Sasso. He’s prepared,” said challenger Rose Ann Wheeler McCarthy, a Cemetery Commission member.”The town is still run by Town Meeting. They point the direction. Tony Sasso is full-time and the selectmen are part-time,” said challenger Michael Rockett.Incumbent James Nye applauded Sasso for changing the health plans this year to save money and give employees “equal if not better coverage.”Incumbent Judy Jacobi pointed out that selectmen appoint town committees, an important task, and they do not micro-manage the town administrator.Incumbent William Woodfin, a longtime selectman, did not attend the Marblehead League of Women Voters candidates’ night at the high school.Hartley and McCarthy said they opposed the $1.64 million Pleasant Street traffic improvement plan, which will come before Town Meeting Monday night and the voters in a debt exclusion override question in June.McCarthy called the plan “a wish list” item.Hartley said he would support it if it were free.The incumbents supported the plan. So did Rockett, who also supported buying a vacant gas station as part of the plan.”Anything we do to get drivers to slow down is a good thing,” Nye said.Jacobi said the Massachusetts Highway Department may cover $400,000 of the cost.Of the six, Nye and McCarthy were the only candidates who did not favor longer terms for the selectmen. Currently Marblehead is the only town in Massachusetts where selectmen serve one-year terms.”It’s easy to take a year off if you need to,” Nye pointed out.”You citizens are the ones calling the shots,” said McCarthy.Jacobi and Hartley favored two-year terms and Belf-Becker favored three years. Rockett said he could support either two or three-year terms.Hartley said one-year terms get selectmen worrying about re-election after a few months.