Selectmen vote to return SCTV to board control

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen voted for Saugus Community Television?s Board of Directors to “cease and desist,” ordering it to return its keys to the station?s studio effective immediately.?It?s time to take the station back, get it under control and give back to the people of Saugus,” said Selectman Steve Castinetti.Selectman Maureen Dever agreed the board could “no longer turn a blind eye” to the action of the Board of Directors.After returning from an executive session, Town Counsel Ira Zolesnik deemed the Board of Directors a “rogue board” for refusing to work with the town to devise a new agreement for the station. Zolesnik said according to the original agreement, the Board of Directors were under the direction of the town and, therefore, the Board of Selectmen.Through a series of 11 motions, the Board of Selectmen called to rescind their original rescindment in January – that changed the town-controlled board back to a nonprofit – returning to the Saugus Cable Television Station rules and regulations. The selectmen ordered the Board of Directors to return their keys and, following a final audit, to surrender all responsibility and money to the town.According to the votes taken, Executive Director Bryan Nadeau will resume leadership over the operation of the station, with Board of Selectmen Clerk Wendy Reed taking over payroll.The board agreed its control over the station would be a limited amount of time.Ten of the motions passed 4-1, with Selectman Debra Panetta voting against every one of the motions, except for that which would allow Nadeau to continue with his job.Panetta?s original plan was to abstain from the vote, but when Selectman Steve Castinetti demanded she give a reason for abstaining, she said, “I vote no.”Following the votes, audience members at the meeting applauded.