Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 13, 2020 A long, hotly contested election Town Meeting members reelect Steve Doherty as moderator for next two years By Mark E. Vogler H ad it been a simple majority vote, it only would have taken two rounds for Town Moderator Stephen N. Doherty to retain his position. Doherty, who has presided over the 50-member body for three two-year terms, would have won 22-20. But two-thirds of the Town Meeting members present for Monday night’s Special Town Meeting voted to have a secret ballot vote that would be determined by a majority of the members – not a majority of those present. To win, the victor needed 26 votes. Doherty, who 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Kitchen Hours: Mon-Thurs: 12-10pm Fri-Sat: 12-11pm Sunday: 1pm-10pm www.eight10barandgrille.com TOWN MEETING EXPERTISE: Town Meeting Member Robert J. Long, of Precinct 9, says he looks forward to working with Moderator Stephen N. Doherty over the next two years. Long, who served as moderator for 18 years prior to Doherty’s six-year stint, lost in an 83-minute, seven-round election on Monday night when he tried to win back the position. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day! Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner Served All Day Tues., March 17 Where everyone’s Irish for a Day! Try our $12 LUNCH Menu - 16 ITEMS AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Is your vehicle ready for the Spring Season?!! AC SPECIAL Recharge your vehicle's AC for the warm weather! Includes up to 1 LB. of Refrigerant* (*Most Vehicles/Some Restrictions May Apply) Only $69.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2008 CADILLAC DTS Platinum Package, Loaded, Excellent Condition, Warranty, Only 83K Miles! LUXURY PRICED RIGHT! $7,995 Easy Financing Available! Loaded with Leather Interior, Moon Roof, Only 106K Miles, Warranty! PRICED TO SELL! $4,995 781-321-8841 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! 2011 MERCURY MILAN PREMIER represents Precinct 4, prevailed in the seventh round over former Town Moderator Robert J. Long, 27-17, after about 83 minutes. When Doherty took his seat, he thanked those who supported his reelection. “To those who didn’t, I clearly need to do more to earn your confi dence,” Doherty told members. “I promise to do that going forward. If there is something I’m doing that you’re not happy with, my cell phone is listed; my email is listed. Please let me know about it,” he said. In a gesture to unite the body, Long moved that the vote for Doherty’s reelection be considered unanimous. For much of the evening, the vote was a contentious one. It was tied 21-21 after the first ballot. Doherty then took leads of 22-20, 23-20, 22-21 and 2221 before Member Michael J. Paolini, of Precinct 7, made the motion that the next vote be decided by a simple majority of the members present. But Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian said it wouldn’t be right for the moderator to be elected by less than a majority of the body. Furthermore, there was precedence for 26 votes – a motion he said that was made by the late Ellen Burns and approved during the Town Meeting of 2006, according to Manoogian. Town Meeting Member Steven C. DiVirgilio of Precinct 10 questioned the motives of the members who supported the 26-vote requirement. “If the vote was in favor of who they supported, they wouldn’t say anything,” said DiVirgilio, who pledged his vote to Doherty. On the next ballot, Doherty took a 25-18 lead. On the seventh and fi nal round, Precinct 3 Town Meeting Member Gregory Nickolas walked in late, saying he had received a text from Town Meeting Member Albert J. DiNardo, who was down in Florida. Several members were critical of the secret ballot vote, saying that the process should be more transparent – allowing town residents to see how members voted. But Manoogian, whose article received two-thirds backing from the members at Monday night’s meeting, pointed out there was precedence for a secret ballot in the election of the moderator – again citing the motion made by the late Ellen Burns. “Two thirds of the Town Meeting wanted to do it this way, and there are employees on Town Meeting who are afraid of possible consequences,” Manoogian said. “The reason why the precedence of the past was followed was so there will not be arm-twisting, coercive pressure and subsequent punishment,” he said. Doherty said he understands and respects the arguments made by Town Meeting members on both sides of the issue.
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