Saugus board to vote on Crabtree again

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen have decided to amend the Sept. 23 meeting agenda to include a vote that would reinstate suspended Town Manager Scott Crabtree.Selectman Stephen Castinetti pointed out that the vote was added to the agenda as a result of efforts made by Selectman Debra Panetta. She was the lone board member who voted against the preliminary resolution for removal, the motion for suspension and the appointment of Michael Murphy as acting town manager.The day before Murphy was appointed, Town Counsel John Vasapolli sent an e-mail to Chairman Ellen Faiella and Clerk Wendy Reed identifying the qualifications for acting town manager.He wrote that, “The town officers eligible to be designated acting manager are as follows: fire chief, police chief, town clerk, town treasurer, town collector, town accountant, superintendent of public works, tree warden and town counsel.”Based on information from Vasapolli, Murphy’s prior position as chairman of the Board of Assessors renders him ineligible.Castinetti contested the stance of town counsel, saying Vasapolli’s opinions “change with the weather.””It’s a rough situation, it’s not a fun time for anyone,” he said.Castinetti maintained that he will hold his ground regardless of the new vote listed at the bottom of the agenda.”I don’t intend to support it,” he said.Should the vote pass, Castinetti explained that he is not concerned about board members feeling awkward initially.”If that were to happen, this board would adapt,” he said.In speaking about the events of the past week, Castinetti explained that the details of the nine allegations against Crabtree run much deeper than what is described in the preliminary resolution.He added that prior to the Sept. 15 meeting, no one had seen the resolution except for Faiella.”I have no vendetta,” said Castinetti.He added that his motion for suspension was not a snap judgment but rather an action based on the material that Faiella presented to the board.”I made a motion for suspension based on her input,” said Castinetti.Panetta could not be reached for comment.