By Beth David, Editor
The day he was passed over for the chair on the Board of Health, Michael Silvia posted on Facebook: “In my over twenty years of involvement in Town government I have never been treated in such a shabby manner.”
During the meeting, Mr. Silvia was visibly flummoxed when newcomer Michael Ristuccia nominated long-time BOH member Peter Deterra to be the chairperson, instead of nominating Mr. Silvia.
Mr. Silvia ran the meeting up to the point he was not chosen as chair. He joined the meeting remotely while Mr. DeTerra and Mr. Ristuccia were in the room at town hall.
After the nomination, there was a long silence, then Mr. Silvia said, “What?”
Then more silence. Then Mr. Silvia asked for a second to the motion, and Mr. DeTerra seconded the motion.
There seemed to be some audio issues, but a loud sigh unmistakably came from Mr. Silvia.
Then he said, “Okay,” exhaling loudly.
“Any other motions,” asked Mr. Silvia. “Obviously not.”
The vote was two in favor, it was unclear from the video how or if Mr. Silvia voted.
He then nominated Mr. Ristuccia for vice chair and Mr. DeTerra seconded.
Then there was another silence as Mr. Ristuccia and Mr. DeTerra looked around.
“Well, Peter, you’re the chair, close the nominations,” said Mr. Silvia.
Mr. Ristuccia was voted in as vice chair, but it was unclear if Mr. Silvia voted for him or simply did not vote. There was no opposing vote voiced.
For the next order of business, Mr. Ristuccia asked that the agenda items be tabled and a new meeting date set.
He said he had just received the packet by email that day at around 2:30 p.m. and did not have a chance to read it carefully. He said he felt “very unprepared” to vote on “any of the items that are on the agenda.”
“Other than the one that we just voted on,” added Mr. Ristuccia.
The board voted to hold a meeting on 6/16, but that was canceled. The next meeting is on Thursday, 6/18, at 5 p.m.
The meeting on 6/11 lasted just under eight minutes.
On Tuesday, 6/16, Mr. Silvia submitted a one-sentence letter of resignation to the Town Clerk’s office.
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