LYNN — Michael Celona has been reappointed to serve as the Chair Commissioner of the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission.
The decision was made during Tuesday’s City Council meeting despite pushback from Councilor-at-Large Brian LaPierre.
According to LaPierre, Celona’s term expired on June 30, and it is “rare” for reappointments to not come before the Council before the term expires.
“I think that is significant by the way of which things unfolded in (Celona’s) position as a commissioner at Lynn Water & Sewer. A magnitude of that appointment in itself, I would have preferred to see Mr. Celona’s name come before this Council prior to June 30,” LaPierre said on Tuesday.
Last month, the Commission chose to hire external candidate James Arsenault as its new executive director, replacing Dan O’Neill. The Commission is currently planning to hold an executive session to discuss Arsenault’s employment contract. During the City Council meeting on Tuesday, LaPierre expressed how he thinks the salary aspect of the contract should be approached by the Commission.
“I want to caution the commissioners that protecting the water sewer rate payer is the primary function. From my understanding, the outgoing director, who was a career person, made a pretty significant salary at the Water & Sewer Commission. The salary should be obviously negotiable. It’s a non-union contract. As a management contract, I hope the commissioners will do their due diligence to bring in this new director at a better price tag than our former director,” LaPierre said.
LaPierre added, “This person is coming from outside of the city of Lynn. He is not a Lynn resident. I cannot see (why) folks who have not contributed to the city of Lynn in (a) way of continuous service to our city or in city agency (would) be eligible for beyond the base salary in terms of their compensation. Our water bills are significantly higher. Every quarter we are paying more. A new person comes in, they ought to be paid justly and fairly. But not in addition to their base compensation. So I would hope that the commissioners reflect upon that.”
Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug, who also serves on the Water & Sewer Commission, advocated for Celona’s reappointment.
“I have seen firsthand (Celona’s) leadership and dedication as chairman to (the Water & Sewer) Board of Commissioners. He has degrees in environmental science and environmental policy. He has over 20 years of experience in the water quality field. He has served as vice president of the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach, and (he) has brought marine science education to several Lynn elementary schools and coordinated environmental internships for Lynn high school students,” Alinsug said.
Alinsug added, “He is exceptionally qualified to serve on the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission. I don’t understand why some of my colleagues may have reservations approaching the mayor’s reappointment of Mr. Celona. (His) qualifications are why I will proudly vote for his appointment to the Commission’s board.”
Alinsug said the Commission has not yet had the chance to meet to deliberate Arsenault’s contract.
“We didn’t have a conversation to vote. Rest assured (LaPierre), we will take your recommendations into consideration, and we will have the due diligence to have that conversation,” Alinsug said.
City council then voted to approve Celona’s reappointment. LaPierre, Councilor-at-Large Nicole McClain, and Ward 1 Councilor Pete Meaney voted “no,” while Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan voted “present,” and Councilor-at-Large Brian Field was not in attendance.
Alinsug, Ward 2 Councilor Obed Matul, Ward 4 Councilor Natasha Megie-Maddrey, Ward 5 Councilor Dianna Chakoutis, Council President and Ward 7 Councilor Jay Walsh, and Councilor-at-Large Hong Net voted “yes.”
