Kelleher MIA on Saugus Board of Selectmen

SAUGUS – Saugus selectman Michael Kelleher has been a rare sight at Board of Selectmen meetings this year, missing nine out of 14 since the start of 2011.Selectman chairman Donald Wong said Kelleher?s continued absence hasn?t had a major effect on meetings, but said it can cause problems for license applicants since anyone applying for special permits must have a vote of at least four selectmen for approval.?It?s more at a disadvantage for whoever is coming in for the license,” Wong said. “Then they would need all of (the selectmen) to vote for them. If one or two people don?t vote, then they don?t get it. When you have a full board you can get that one person to vote against and four for.”Kelleher, who is manager for Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, has served on the board on and off for the last 10 years. He did not immediately return multiple voice mails left for him on Tuesday.Kelleher, to date, is not a candidate for re-election this fall.Calls to Selectmen Stephen Horlick and Michael Serino also were not immediately returned.Wong, who is also the town?s state representative and owner of Kowloon on Route 1, said he tries to put his job as selectman first and had to cut back on time he spent at his family?s restaurant.?I try to put that as a priority,” Wong said. “Before I became a State Rep. I was in the family business, and the family made sure I made my time as a selectman. Now that I?m a State Rep. and a selectman, I still try to put my priority as Selectman and State Rep. and I have cut my hours down in my business.”Selectman Scott Crabtree said being a selectmen can be a demanding job, and acknowledged the time Kelleher has put in over the years.?He?s been noticeably absent,” Crabtree said. ” But I have a lot of respect for his time and service he?s put in. It does take a lot of time out.”Wong acknowledged that the demands of having a full-time job can make it hard to attend every meeting, especially since selectmen aren?t compensated.?We would prefer to have five active selectmen,” Wong said. “But we also have to understand it?s not a paying job either. It?s hard when it?s not a paying job and you have conflicts working certain nights at a job that?s going to pay for your family and mortgage. Your responsibility first is to your family.”Wong declined to comment on whether or not Kelleher will be seeking re-election, but Town Clerk Joanne Rappa said he hasn?t filed any paperwork to run again.With election season fast approaching, Wong said he won?t be running for selectman again, but hopes to see candidates who can put in the time required.?I would hope anyone who is going to run in November will put the commitment in,” Wong said. “I know it?s kind of hard sometimes to have a meeting and try to vote on items when there?s not a full board.”