Saugus selectmen reject motion to reinstate Crabtree

SAUGUS – The motion to reinstate suspended Town Manager Scott Crabtree was defeated by the Board of Selectmen in the now-familiar 4-1 vote at Tuesday’s meeting.”This has been a difficult and troubling week for all of Saugus,” said Selectman Debra Panetta, who pushed to have the motion included in the agenda. “I believe in my heart that everyone only wants the best for Saugus.”She explained that she wanted the motion presented as her prior request for mediation was not approved at the Sept. 15 meeting.Panetta added that by opposing the motion, the board will open the town to “liability and financial risk.”Chairman Ellen Faiella said that she was prepared to discuss her three-page explanation of the nine charges against Crabtree. However, she had been informed by Town Counsel John Vasapolli that such information could not be disclosed during a public meeting.”These are very serious allegations, it’s not funny,” she said in response to snickering from the crowd.”Do you really think for one minute that this is all fluff?” she asked. “This isn’t a dog and pony show, it’s your town.”Selectman Paul Allan cited Town Meeting members Peter Manoogian, Al DiNardo and Sean Maltais for propagating false information about the board. In addition, Allan explained that following the Sept. 15 meeting, he was threatened by administrative aide Lou Markakis, who said to “meet him outside.” “I will not be intimidated,” said Allan.In response, Allan has asked the town’s human resources department to take action against Markakis.While public outbursts remained minimal overall, they still got the attention of Vice Chairman Maureen Dever. She warned the audience that she would end the meeting early if they continued.In her statement to the board, Dever said that DiNardo, using his bullhorn, had referred to her and Faiella using “the worst four-letter word you can call any woman.”DiNardo disagreed with Dever, saying that he had never used that kind of language. He also attempted to level with the board, saying that he and the selectmen “went back many years.””Chairman Faiella, we go back to the days of East Boston,” he said.Dever explained that residents have misunderstood the Town Charter in determining that Michael Murphy is not a town officer and is, therefore, not qualified to be acting town manager. Dever pointed out that there have been previous instances where town officials had been appointed acting town manager under similar circumstances. Therefore, she reiterated that there has been no violation of the charter by the board.