May 20, 2024

“Mr. MacAskill moved to approve the presented 2024 Reappointment List with the following redactions: Sandra Hall, Brooks Academy Museum Commission full term, Sandra Hall, By-law Charter Review Committee full term, Noreen Donoghue By-law Charter Review Committee full term and Carol Fuller Golf Committee full term. Seconded by Mr. Handler..” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Handler)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“he moved to amended the motion to include the reappointment of Sandra Hall to the Brooks Academy Commission, Mr. Piekarski commented that he does not use social media and is unaware of what others are eluding to. He would like an opportunity to speak with Ms. Hall to hear her view. He does not have an issue with seconding Mr. Howell's motion but he is also not inclined to vote against Ms. Hall on the Charter Review Committee. At this point he does not have enough facts on what has transpired to vote against her. Mr. Howell withdrew his motion because if it gets turned down it would have to be subject to a reconsideration vote. His withdrawal will leave an overt vacancy in each position. The current motion on the floor by Mr. MacAskill will leave two vacancies intact. Mr. MacAskill commented that the word bully has often been used against him and there is no greater bully than someone who sits behind their keyboard and throws a shot from a distance. He added that Mr. Howell made Ms. Hall aware that this was going to transpire and she chose not to attend this meeting and defend herself as is her right. The Board members do not have the right, under the law, to defend themselves against the bullying that is on her platform. He feels very strongly that a lot of people are against running for things or wanting to be on things because of that behavior. Anyone that wants to go on line and read it they will read that she has created an atmosphere where you don't even have to use your own name to attack a person and their character. He noted someone who goes on under a fake name and attacks the Town Administrator and the Board members that she does not like. He commented that if a Board member doesn't agree with her, she will immediately go after them. If that was done in a school or workplace, that person would be gone. Under the guise of social media you can say anything you want and this elected body cannot respond back. That person and that character is not what the Board should be putting on their Committees. He has had many people call and ask why they have continued to reappoint Ms. Hall. She was one of the original authors of the Charter and has expressed having a Charter Commission to take the Committee out and go to elected officials. He thinks that it would be Sandra Hall and her friends running for said Commission and he does not think that should be something that the Select Board condones and puts up with. There are lies on that site and the Board members cannot go on the site and correct them. To his knowledge, the only one who has not been attacked is Mr. Howell. People can come to this room and defend or discuss but those conversations don't happen in that room or on Town Meeting Floor. She gets traction on social media and he thinks that probably 80% of the people are on for the entertainment. To the reporter in attendance, Mr. MacAskill would be happy to sit with him and articulate as many things as he wants but the Board should not be condoning bullies whether its the Brooks Academy Commission or the Charter By-law Committee. He stands with both of them, it's the character of the person that he does not think should be on them. Mr. Howell commented that Mr. MacAskill is conflating two different issues. In the period of the time referred to, Mr. Howell has had a number of 4:1 votes against him, it's not him but the positions he is taking. He also stated that Mr. MacAskill had said, on the phone that he was inclined to reappoint Ms. Hall to the Brooks Academy Commission but not to the Charter Review Committee and that is what he called and conveyed to Ms. Hall, not that she would not be appointed to either. Ms. Kavanagh commented that she does not know why one Committee would be ok and the other would not. Other Board do not take issues to social media and she feels their negativity is why there are vacancies on other Committees. She noted that she is not on the site but gets screen shots. The Select Board discusses things openly and anyone can attend and speak to the Board. Ultimately if you're part of a Committee that is raging on social media, you may not say what you want to say to avoid the push back. People who are volunteering their time should feel free to speak up and say what they believe. She reiterated that the motion currently is as Mr. MacAskill presented. Mr. Piekarski commented that he agrees that bullying should not be tolerated by anyone and he has heard from people as to why they may or may not serve on Committees, He does not have enough information to vote against Ms. Hall at this time. His vote will be against the motion but he respects the Board member's opinions and will do his own homework. He is not interested in anyone sending him screen shots. Mr. Howell noted that if Mr. Piekarski does what he said and they do revisit this issue afterwards, it will require a reconsideration vote because voting the list with the omissions was a flat out vacancy. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“Mr. Handler moved to approve the annual Harwich Police Department Reappointments as presented. Seconded by Mr. Howell. Voter: 4:0:1 in favor with Mr. Piekarski abstained. Motion carried.” (Motion: Handler, second: Howell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)