SAUGUS — Monday’s vote to elect Saugus’ town moderator went to a secret ballot, which some Town Meeting members and residents argued acted in opposition of a recent town-wide push for transparency from local officials.
After nearly 90 minutes and seven rounds of secret ballot voting, Steve Doherty was re-elected over Bob Long to serve his fourth term as moderator.
The vote happened as part of a special Town Meeting that discussed special legislation allowing a retiring police officer to work until the age of 70, instead of 65 as required by state law.
Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian posed the idea of taking the vote to a secret ballot — which would allow members in attendance to make their choice in anonymity — and also motioned to require the town’s moderator be elected by a majority of 26 members or more.
Both motions were approved by two-thirds of Town Meeting members.
However, some representatives were unhappy with the secret ballot, including member Joia Ciccolini, who said she voted against the motion because she thinks constituents have the right to know how their elected officials vote.
“In the era of everyone running on transparency, a secret ballot is the opposite of transparency,” she said. “I think a lot of people were upset it wasn’t transparent.”
Selectman Debra Panetta agreed.
“I think either one of these men would have done a fine job for Saugus, without doubt,” she said. “But I think people want to know how people vote.”
Manoogian said secret ballots have been conducted at town meetings in the past, and his reason for suggesting one was to prevent Town Meeting members from facing backlash for their choice.
“The purpose of the secret ballot was so the membership would be shielded from retribution by the (winning) moderator, and shielded from arm twisting and deal making by other people who saw how members were voting, and who might try to influence them to change their vote,” he said. “It was a way to allow democracy to happen in a manner that was fair and unbiased.”
He added later: “I’m a big believer in trying to do things in a consistent manner that’s fair and not arbitrary.”
Despite her reservations, Panetta said she felt the ultimate results were fair.
“Even though I don’t approve of secret ballots, the process ultimately worked itself out,” she said.
At the center of the debate is moderator Doherty, who said he recognizes both sides of the argument surrounding secret ballots.
“I think the thinking behind the motion was to prevent any hard feelings. I understand the rationale,” he said. “But I also understand the criticism that people felt it should have been more transparent.”
Despite the controversy, Doherty looks forward to working with Town Meeting members for the remainder of his two-year term.
“I’ve been the moderator for the last six years and we’ve moved the town in the right direction,” he said. “I think we’ll continue to do that.”
