LYNN — The City Council sent a “message” to the Lynn Public Library Trustees Tuesday night with a vote to remove the library board’s chairman, William Conway.
The Council voted, 9-1 against the reappointment of Conway, which had been recommended by Mayor Thomas M. McGee. Conway, an 18-year trustee, has served as chairman for five years. His new term would have expired on Jan. 5, 2023.
The vote comes a month after the trustees chose not to name the Lynn Public Library after former Mayor Patrick J. McManus, who served five terms from 1992 to 2001.
In addition to voting Conway out, the City Council unanimously voted to approve the three new trustees recommended by McGee. Megan White was appointed to a term that will expire in 2021; Catherine Bransfield will serve a term that will expire in 2022; and Rosemary Martin will serve until 2023.
“Bill Conway said to me (he was) not voting for Pat McManus and I felt like he doesn’t see things the way I see things, so why would I vote for him,” said Council Vice President Buzzy Barton, who voted against Conway’s reappointment.
Barton said the mayor would probably choose to appoint someone else, but if Conway’s name is sent again to the Council, he would vote the same way.
Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi was the only vote in favor of Conway. He said he did not see a reason to vote against his reappointment.
“I think a message was sent and I didn’t see a reason to vote ‘no,'” said Lozzi. “Conway has served the city his whole life. I might not agree with some of his decisions, but there’s no questioning his loyalty to the city. The mayor did appoint him and I voted to confirm it.”
Barton, City Council President Darren Cyr and McGee have all spoken in favor of the name change, which was first proposed by Item Publisher Ted Grant, along with former Postmaster and Mayor Thomas P. Costin Jr., and Stephen L. Smith, a Lynn attorney who served as city Public Works commissioner and Water and Sewer Commission executive director during McManus’ tenure.
The board’s 4-2 vote against naming the building for anyone did not comply with state law, according to assistant city solicitor James Lamanna, because six votes were required to pass or reject a proposal from the 11-member board.
The required votes were not there due to open seats on the board, which prompted McGee’s recommended appointments and has opened up the door for reconsideration on naming the building.
