Adams Board Members Vote 'No Confidence' in Colleague
 Selectman Scott Nichols said he was angry that the board's actions were being undermined. |
Melville fired off the missive on her own on Saturday to MassDevelopment questioning its authority in soliciting proposals for engineering for the project without the direct permission of the Selectmen — and sent a copy to the inspector general.
The selectwoman has been rebuked in the past for contacting state officials and giving the impression she was doing it on behalf of the board. This latest incident led three of her colleagues to vote "no confidence" in her ability to fulfill her elected duty.
"I thought we had a very clear understandng of what the role of the board is," said Chairman Michael Ouellette. "I think it is totally inappropriate for you to do that."
The email prompted MassDevelopment to set aside bids received for $275,000 in engineering studies for improvements to roads leading to the glen until town officials clarified their intentions.
"I need to know if the board wants me to continue as the project manager," said Donna Cesan, community development director and also project manager for the glen. She said her contacts at MassDevelopment "expressed alarm that the email was copied to the inspector general" ... "member Melville's email has created confusion and a situation where the town is speaking in two voices."
Cesan reminded the board she had been appointed in 2006 by formal vote of the Board of Selectmen as project manager consistent with the developer agreement between the town and the state.
George Haddad, chairman of the Greylock Glen Advisory Committee, said the committee and Cesan had been given a charge to develop the property and ensure consistency as the complexion on the board changed. None of the current members were on the board in 2006.
"There's seems to be an interruption in that charge and now the state doesn't know what's going on – nor do I," said the former selectman, adding once a vote had been taken differing opinions should be left on the table. "We have to act the way your position calls for in an appropriate manner."
The funds were targeted for repairing water and sewer lines at the glen but, after discussions with MassDevelopment, it was decided to use them toward engineering along roads leading up to the glen in an effort to leverage more state funds.
Melville said the Selectmen were the executives for the town and she believed Cesan had overstepped her authority in deciding how the grant funding should be used. "Why didn't MassDevelopment come through us? Why did you make the request and not have the Board of Selectmen make the request?"
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Miss Cesan has the authority to represent the town as the contact person for all aspects of this project. She will represent the town at meetings and will have the authority to respond to the commonwealth on behalf of the town. Miss Cesan will be responsible for keeping the Board of Selectmen informed throughout the implementation of the project. 
"I was acting within the parameters of the project manager as spelled out," said Cesan, adding that she and Haddad would come to workshop meetings to explain things in more detail if needed. Town Administrator Jonathan Butler said the matter had been discussed last month, which offered an opportunity for the board to question the funds' use or determine a different direction.
Ouellette and Selectmen Arthur "Skip" Harrington and Jason Hnatonko voted no confidence in Melville. An angry Scott Nichols abstained because, he said, "I'm sick and tired of revisiting votes ... I'm sick of people trying to undermine what this board is trying to accomplish."
The board, including Melville, voted to reaffirm Cesan's role as project manager; it voted 4-1, with Melville voting against, to affirm the use of the funds by MassDevelopment.
The Selectmen will send a letter to MassDevelopment drafted by Harrington to assure the agency the town wants to continue in the current direction and to advise state officials that any unsolicited communication from a member of the board should be considered from a "private citizen" unless also signed by the chairman.
