SAUGUS — The Board of Selectmen met with Town Manager Scott Crabtree on Thursday to discuss a variety of issues, with the vacant Board of Health seat appearing to be a controversial one.
When mentioning vacant seats on the Planning Board, the Conservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano asked Crabtree about the vacant seat on the Board of Health.
Only three members were present at the Board of Health’s last meeting, which is the minimum to hold a quorum. Board of Health Chair Bill Heffernan ended the meeting by asking residents who are interested to apply for the position as they are in need of applicants.
Crabtree described himself as being in a no-win situation when it comes to appointing the next Board of Health member.
“I think there’s some politics involved, rather than actually making the board more efficient,” he said.
Crabtree also noted that it’s challenging to fill all of these open board positions.
Matters related to WIN Waste Innovations are a hot-button topic in town and among the board. Selectman Jeff Cicolini noted that the Board of Health does a lot more than handle these matters and feels a candidate’s stance on the company shouldn’t affect whether they are chosen for the position.
“My opinion is that it shouldn’t be somebody that is pro or con,” he said. “That shouldn’t even be a factor. What should be a factor is their qualifications for public health and it will follow suit. You can’t go with somebody that’s anti-this or somebody too far pro, I get that, but if you can find somebody ‘middle of the road’ that has an open mind and still has the qualifications to be an additional benefit to that board.”
Cogliano suggested that Crabtree put forth the names to the Board of Selectmen and have the board confirm the candidate of their choosing. Cogliano stated that he prefers to get someone on the board sooner rather than later.
“I’ve already talked about doing that and I was told I wouldn’t be supported in my employment if I did,” Crabtree said. “I would say if you want to articulate the position I’m in, it is a very conflicted position that I’m not able to perform a certain aspect of my duties because of the conflict.
Cicolini said he will go public if there is any type of backlash.
“It’s not going to happen. You’ve got to bring forth who you think,” said Cicolini. “If we deny that confirmation, that’s on us. You put forward who you think would meet the criteria and then it’s up to us five to decide ‘yea’ or ‘nay.’ If they get three votes, they are on. If they get two votes, they are not. That’s it and there won’t be any backlash and there can’t be any backlash.”
Crabtree said that in filling any position, the criteria that is looked for in candidates is who will be in the best interest of the town.
“It has no litmus test,” he said.
Crabtree also mentioned that the town is looking for someone with a medical background and it has yet to find a candidate with this experience.
Selectman Corinne Riley asked if the town had received any applicants. Crabtree said it has but the candidate has a clear stance on WIN Waste Innovations, which is why they applied.
Riley said decisions like these are common in a management position. Crabtree responded by saying that the Board of Health seat goes “way beyond” a management decision.
“This is a decision based on how you provide for your family,” he said.
Crabtree mentioned reaching out to the State Ethics Commission regarding how to handle this situation.
