By Beth David, Editor
Acushnet’s Special Town Meeting warrant on November 6, may (or may not) have an article proposing that the Selectboard become a five-member board instead of three. Former Selectboard member, David Desroches, submitted the article with the required number of signatures.
Acushnet Town Clerk Pamela Labonte notified the SB that the article met the legal standard and had to be included in the warrant.
At the 9/12/23 SB meeting, chairperson Kevin Gaspar blasted the proposal, saying that Mr. Desroches was a “sore loser,” only proposing the change to make it easier for him to “walk in” to a seat.
Mr. Gaspar also blasted Mr. Desroches for not showing up to the SB meeting that night, and said the article is basically a no-confidence vote of the sitting board.
“It’s quite honestly, it’s appalling to me,” said Mr. Gaspar, adding all members should be appalled, that it would cost taxpayers more money, and add confusion to the board. “I don’t see any upside to this.”
“The people voted you out, Mr. Desroches, for a reason,” said Mr. Gaspar, adding that now he is petitioning to make the board larger. “I think it’s extremely dangerous what we’re being asked to do.”
He said for Mr. Desroches not to even show up was an “embarrassment” to himself.
“Basically Mickey Mouse and Goofy can now be elected to the Board of Selectmen in this first time around,” said Mr. Gaspar, criticizing how the first three vote-getters get in with the candidate receiving the most votes serving three years, the next vote-getter serving two, and the third place winner serving one.
He reiterated his accusation that Mr. Desroches only submitted the article because he lost.
“Disgusting, in my opinion,” said Mr. Gaspar. “It’s not in the best interests of the town.”
He said it was dangerous because it is difficult to get people to run. If there is a vacancy, the SB and town moderator will fill the vacancy, so board members can appoint one of their “buddies” and push an agenda.
He also said it is “bigger government,” just the opposite of what state and national trends are.
“What this is demonstrating is that you’re a sore loser,” said Mr. Gaspar. “No other selectman has lost an election, and I know much better people than you that have lost an election off this board and maybe they didn’t deserve to be knocked off this board but they were by the people just as you were.”
And they did not try to increase the size of the board, he added.
“It’s an embarrassment,” said Mr. Gaspar. “Quite honestly it’s a reflection of your character. And I would ask the people to come to Town Meeting on November sixth and shoot this petition down and shoot it down hard.”
“I don’t know how I can follow that,” said SB member David Wojnar. “I will say this. If we do anything at all, it should be an overall examination of town government and how it operates in general.”
For example, should the town have elected TM members, elected boards, elected town clerk, etc. But not cherry pick, he said, calling it a “disservice” to the town.
SB member Bob Hinckley said his main reason for being against it was the Open Meeting Law.
“We all make our own individual decisions based off our own research,” said Mr. Hinckley. “With a five member board you can skirt open meeting law competely.”
He explained that two members can come to an agreement and “really push an agenda.”
“I do not support it,” said Mr. Hinckley.
In a phone interview, Mr. Desroches denied that he created the petition because he lost the election. He said he did it after conversations with people who think a five member board should be considered.
He said he is a citizen who has a right to file a petition, and should not have been so disrespected by the board. He had no obligation to go to the meeting, the matter was strictly a routine vote by the board.
“And for Kevin to take it from that to what it was, and to have the other two guys sit there and let him do that, I feel is a disgrace of the leadership of the town of Acushnet,” said Mr. Desroches. “It’s small town politics.”
He called Mr. Gaspar a “crybully,” who antagonizes, intimidates, and then claims he is the victim.
He also said he withdrew the article “due to the overwhelming negative response” that he received.
“I don’t need that shit in my life. I’m not fighting this fight,” said Mr. Desroches. “I’m a citizen now. I’m not a politician anymore.”
Town Clerk Pamela Labonte said she was not sure if the article needs to legally be on the printed warrant, but she believes it does. At press tim she still had not heard back from the state. If it is on the warrant, it will most likely not be voted on, but will simply be announced as withdrawn by the petitioner.
The meeting is available on demand on the town’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AcushnetCable
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Click here to download the 9/21/23 issue: 09-21-23 DorotheaMachado
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