Saugus board votes to suspend Crabtree

SAUGUS – Amid an emotionally charged meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 in favor of a preliminary resolution to begin the termination process of Town Manager Scott Crabtree.The vote was followed by another 4-1 decision to suspend Crabtree for three months with pay.In accordance with the Town Charter, the board will take a final resolution vote in 30 days to determine whether or not Crabtree will be reinstated.Originally scheduled for executive session, Monday’s meeting was moved to open session at Crabtree’s request.However, the town manager remained confused as to why he never received a copy of the preliminary resolution that listed the allegations.”I don’t know what the issues are or the allegations,” said Crabtree. “Any reasonable person would want to know.””This is all I have,” he added, holding up a blank yellow legal pad.Chairman Ellen Faiella, who was constantly interrupted by an auditorium full of residents, said that he was not given a copy of the resolution because she “didn’t want to take chances” of the information becoming public prematurely.Faiella then read through nine allegations that the board had filed against Crabtree.Some of the allegations included “pursuing litigation that was fiscally irresponsible,” “failing to provide finance figures for the state bond bill” and “failing to make proper appointments to town positions based on merit.”Crabtree responded saying that the charge regarding not hiring people “based on merit” was too general and needed specification.”It’s a general statement, and it’s intended to be a general statement,” said Faiella, adding that it pertained to a town employee whom she did not want to name in an open session.”When the time is right, you’ll get it all,” she said.Selectman Debra Panetta sided with Crabtree.”I feel sick to my stomach,” she said. “You can tell I’m very upset, I wasn’t expecting a crowd.”Panetta explained that it was not fair for the board to voice its allegations without Crabtree having a copy beforehand.”That’s an awful lot to digest,” she said to Faiella, urging her to give Crabtree a copy of the resolution during the meeting.”I think Scott, our town manager, has done a very good job,” said Panetta.She pointed out that Saugus was in serious financial trouble three years ago as the library, the senior center and Essex Street fire station were all in danger of closing.However, she said that Crabtree received “high praise” from the state Department of Revenue in terms of how he was able to reverse the town’s financial woes.”I’ve put my heart and soul, sweat and tears into this,” said Crabtree. “I’ve tried to be respectful, I don’t think the board has respected me.”He added that the selectmen never commended him on any of his efforts, rather they only bombarded him with criticism.”This is a very disappointing evening for me,” said Selectman Stephen Castinetti. “We’ve gotten to the point where you don’t talk to anyone on the board.”Crabtree explained that he extended invitations to speak with Castinetti on several occasions and was always turned away.”You never reached out to me,” said Crabtree.Despite the evening’s events, Crabtree maintained his composure looking ahead.”The first thing I’m going to do is go home to my kids and kiss my wife,” he said following the meeting.