Council OKs Barton for Lynn license board seat

LYNN – The City Council Tuesday voted to confirm the appointment of Patricia Barton to the three-member License Commission.Barton, a lifelong Lynn resident who worked as a schoolteacher and administrator in the city’s public schools for over 20 years, was named to the post by Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy earlier this month.Barton replaces License Commission member John Pace, who served on the board for 20 years under two previous administrations – Mayor Antonio Marino and Edward Clancy Jr.At Tuesday night’s License Commission meeting at police headquarters, Pace said, “Everything comes to an end. It has been a good ride and I have enjoyed it.”License Commission member Michael Phelps and Commission Chairman Richard Coppinger thanked Pace for his years of service. Phelps also acknowledged Coppinger for his work as the commission chairman, a role that Barton will assume at the next meeting in November. Barton attended Tuesday’s commission meeting solely as an observer, occupying a seat between Pace and Coppinger.An hour later at City Hall, Council President Timothy Phelan apologized to Barton, who at last week’s council meeting waited for hours in the council chambers only to learn her appointment confirmation vote would not be taken. According to Phelan, it was an “oversight” that prevented Barton from having her appointment confirmed last week, since taking action would have required a request from the council for an emergency vote.”There was no intent by this council or myself to be disrespectful,” said Phelan, describing Barton as an asset to both the board and the city.When Barton takes the commission reins as chairman next month, she faces at least five public hearings, most of them disciplinary matters involving downtown bars. Three hearings on Tuesday were tabled until November.