Allegations against Crabtree detailed before removal vote

SAUGUS – For the first time since Sept. 15, Selectmen Chairman Ellen Faiella was able to disclose the board’s reasoning behind the nine allegations that cost Scott Crabtree his job as town manager.Members of the audience sat in silence while Faiella went through the accusations during a public hearing Wednesday night. The five police officers in the auditorium were never called upon for assistance.In addressing the charges, Faiella explained that whenever she would ask Crabtree how much money was being spent on outside legal counsel, he would say that such information could not be released as it would violate the attorney-client privilege.”I can’t tell you how many times in the past 11 months we have heard ?attorney-client privilege,'” she said.Faiella said this was particularly evident during the town’s repeated attempts to evict Kasabuski Arena owners Dan Maniff and John Curley. She explained that the case could have been settled for the original judgment of $18,000.”At any time it could have been stopped,” she said.However, Faiella said that Crabtree chose to appeal the case, and it was again defeated. As a result, the town must now pay approximately $250,000 in legal fees as well as $34,000 to Maniff and Curley.Faiella said that although Crabtree had the authority to employ outside counsel, it became apparent that this authorization was being abused.Town Meeting member William Brown agreed with Faiella, saying it was Crabtree’s responsibility to provide any information requested by the selectmen. “It almost seemed like he forgot he was an employee of the town of Saugus,” said Brown. “That’s just inexcusable.”Brown was also troubled by Crabtree not being present at the hearing. “I was really put off that he hid behind his lawyer and didn’t come out and face us,” he said.Brown said he believes that the current effort to recall Faiella and fellow selectmen Maureen Dever, Stephen Castinetti and Paul Allan is an act of vengeance.”I hope that the recall will lose any steam it already has and fades away,” said Brown, adding that he saw several Save Saugus PAC members leave Town Hall as time wore on.Selectman Debra Panetta said Thursday that Crabtree was advised by his attorney, Andrew Gambaccini, that “it was in his best interest” not to attend the hearing and instead provide written responses to the board’s accusations as permitted by the Town Charter.Faiella read two paragraphs from the nine-page letter, despite Panetta’s request to have the letter read in its entirety and reflected in the meeting’s minutes.”Not to have those comments read into the record was not fair to Mr. Crabtree or the public,” said Panetta, who was also displeased that time was not set aside for public comment, particularly when Faiella said on Sept. 15 that residents would be allowed to speak at the hearing.”This was supposed to be a public hearing, as indicated on the posted agenda,” said Panetta.”The townspeople were promised that they would have an opportunity to speak.”Jeff Cicolini, administrator of Take Back Our Town of Saugus, wrote in an online posting that he was angered by the way Faiella treated Panetta throughout the proceedings.”Selectman Faiella’s lack of professionalism and belief that she is above the law is unconscionable,” he said. “I cannot believe the tone she used as she spoke down to Selectman Panetta.”