THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, May 24, 2019 Page 3 Denied again Town Moderator silences Town Meeting member on another attempt to read resolution supporting school custodians By Mark E. Vogler R onald M. Wallace of Precinct 5 got a chance to address fellow Town Meeting members briefl y Monday night, on his nonbinding resolution to support school custodians. But Town Moderator Stephen N. Doherty wouldn’t let Wallace fi nish what he planned to say as he stood in front of the members on what he had hoped would be a direct challenge of the moderator under Robert’s Rules of Order. Two weeks earlier, Doherty told Wallace before the opening session of the Annual Town Meeting that he would not allow him to read the resolution, primarily because it wasn’t on the warrant. Doherty went even further Monday night, declaring that he as moderator and Town Meeting had made “a mistake” two years ago by allowing another resolution – one submitted by Precinct 4 Town Meeting Member Albert J. DiNardo – to come before the fl oor despite not having been on the warrant for the 2016 Annual Town Meeting. Once the motion to table discussion of the resolution died by a slim 17 to 19 vote, the article itself sailed by a wide margin: 36 to 1, with two abstentions. “We really handled that wrong,” Doherty told Town Meeting members. Based on personal research he has conducted regarding the latest resolution, Doherty said, he was convinced. Going forward, the moderator said, all future resolutions would have to be included on the warrant to be heard. Doherty told Town Meeting members that “it’s certainly not my intention to silence anyone from speaking.” But he added that allowing resolutions share his legal views on the issue. “The Town Meeting warrant is to provide the time, place of Town Meeting and the subject matter,” Vasapolli said. “In this case, this nonbinding resolution did not appear on the warrant,” he said. Vasapolli also briefed Town Meeting members on their statutory duties, stressing that they don’t have authority over the hiring of employees or contracts. Wallace said he is “dis“DISGUSTED”: Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ronald M. Wallace, walking out the second fl oor auditorium at Town Hall on Monday night, expressing dismay that Moderator Stephen N. Doherty again refused to allow him to read his resolution opposing the privatization of the School Department’s janitorial services. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) to be introduced that weren’t on the warrant goes against the provisions of Open Government. Furthermore, just because Town Meeting had conducted its business improperly two years ago does not justify continuing to do so. Precinct 7 Town Meeting Member Richard Lavoie moved to suspend the rules of Town Meeting to allow for Wallace to proceed with reading his resolution. But Doherty wouldn’t allow it. He said his decision was based on conversations he had with other moderators, town counsel and elected offi cials in Saugus. He added that there is also a fairness issue – citizens getting proper notice to know what issues would be brought up at a meeting so they could speak about those issues. And unless an article is on the warrant, it cannot be voted on, Doherty added. The moderator asked Town Counsel John Vasapolli to brief Town Meeting members to gusted” that he had not been dealt with fairly. “If he’s going to change the rules, in fairness, he should have let me speak tonight,” Wallace said as he left the second floor auditorium as the meeting concluded. Our 80th Year EDUCATION Next Classes DRIVER 2 Week Night Classes One Week Day Class CALL - ENROLL or Register Online 617-387-9121 HENRYSAUTOSCHOOL.COM AUTO SCHOOL E EVERETT A “Successful Key To Driving” Since 1938 Gift Certificates Available Thursday, May 30 COMICS AGAINST CANCER OPEN MIC with BRIAN MAES Open to all ages! Registration 7:30 PM 221 Newbury Street, Danvers For Tickets call (978) 774-7270 or www.breakawaydanvers.com We remember with respect and gratitude those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation. “I don’t have a ton to say at this point. I feel like all of the stops were pulled to stop me dead in my tracks,” Wallace told The Saugus Advocate. “I’m glad residents were made aware of my support for 21 town employees who I don’t even know and are possibly losing their jobs,” he said. Wallace said he was disapdine drink gather enjoy THE NORTH SHORE'S HOTTEST NIGHTCLUB! Saturday, May 25 at 8 PM Friday, May 24 at 8 PM RADIO ROULETTE WILDFIRE pointed at not receiving support from Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. “I gave up lots of time for the town manager several years ago, too, when he was fi ghting for his job … I guess I’m just a diehard lifelong Saugonian who cares too much. I think privatization is a terrible idea and I hope it does not happen,” Wallace said. Friday, May 31 at 8 PM STONE GROOVE With 43 CHURCH STREET Friday, June 7 at 8 PM Tom Petty Tribute Show REBELS Saturday, June 1 at 8 PM WILDSIDE Saturday, June 8 at 8 PM LIVE BULLET Bob Seger Tribute Band Every Tuesday Night
4 Publizr Home