SAUGUS — In the wake of social-media comments from Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano that drew criticism from fellow members, dozens of residents showed up to Tuesday night’s meeting to signal their support for the embattled chairman.
Cogliano addressed the comments at the start of the meeting, reiterating that he will not apologize for the messages — sent to Eliot Evan Smith, of Lynn, who had been critical of Cogliano’s support of WIN Waste Innovations’ proposed expansion. Among other things, Cogliano told Smith to “shove your comments up your [expletive].”
He told The Item that he believed Smith was not a real person and instead was a former Town Meeting member using a pseudonym. The Town Meeting member, who Smith identified as Al DiNardo, is openly gay, leading some to call the remarks homophobic.
Cogliano fired back at his critics Tuesday, saying he had no regrets regarding both the public Facebook comments and private messages he sent to Smith, which he said were brought on by comments regarding his family.
“I have no animosity towards anybody. I’m not anti-LGBTQ. I’m not racist, never have been,” Cogliano said. “I treat everyone with the utmost respect. I think I deserve that in return.”
“In the last couple of months because of my stance on [WIN] there’s nothing but harassment,” he added. “It goes every day every night … and I’m not going to take it from anybody.”
At one point during his remarks, Cogliano defiantly said he would not “take one thing back.” He had to pause as the crowd erupted into applause. Some in the audience donned “Anthony Cogliano for Selectmen” sweatshirts.
He offered Smith and any other opponents of his the opportunity to speak publicly, but Smith did not attend Tuesday’s meeting. In fact, none of the dozens in attendance Tuesday rose to the podium to speak against Cogliano.
All four of Cogliano’s colleagues on the board addressed the comments. Each member said they believed the comments were misguided but reaffirmed that they had no intention of removing him as chairman or even taking a vote to do so.
“It’s not good for the community,” said Michael Serino. “Hopefully we can move on.”
Vice Chairman Debra Panetta said as elected officials and board members need to be wary of social media and the harm it can cause. She emphasized that the board’s job was to represent the best interests of all residents regardless of their race, sexual orientation, or any other factor.
Later, she outright condemned the way social media is used as a way to criticize public officials — with residents often doing so while spreading misinformation or other falsehoods. Panetta noted that she had received 13 messages throughout the course of the meeting, with one criticizing her stance on a proposal before the board from a business owner seeking to open a tattoo parlor. But, Panetta noted she did not take a firm stance on the proposal, instead opting to wait for a ruling from the state Ethics Commission on a potential conflict of interest.
Board member Jeff Cicolini said he wanted the debate regarding Cogliano’s comments to come to an end, adding that “Saugus doesn’t need the bad publicity.”
“My issue is the back and forth, the Board of Selectmen is the highest elected officials in town, I bite my tongue more than I’d like to, I don’t have much tongue left,” Cicolini said. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re the chairman of the board and I think I’ve given you that respect.”
Board member Corinne Riley was the last to speak — saying the dialogue on social media can get “downright disgusting,” particularly when families get involved. She added that comments on social media platforms should be kept civil.
“That being said, Mr. Chairman, I applaud you for being strong along through all of this, and your family for reading things on there that were unnecessary and like Selectman Ciciolini said, ‘enough.’”
After allowing each board member to address the comments, Cogliano said he was grateful to those who came out to support him. He became visibly emotional before gavelling the board into a 10-minute recess.
During the recess, Cogliano approached many members of the crowd individually, shaking their hands and having private conversations with them.
