Walter blindsided in selectmen reorganization

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

NORTH BROOKFIELD - “It was the attitude, the manner in which it was done,” said selectman Mary Walter after Tuesday’s meeting of the board of selectmen. “I’m in shock.” Early in the meeting when, according to tradition, the board reorganizes following an election, selectman Robert Filipkowski moved that past chairman Jason Petraitis retain that position. Walter, citing the fact that usually the member next up for election be granted that opportunity, questioned Filipkowski’s motion.

“Why would I not be given that opportunity?” she asked.

Filipkowski replied that the board “relies on the chairman to share information, to keep us all on the same page, and you have not done that during the past year.”

Petraitis, seconding Filipkowski’s motion, subsequently called for reorganization votes, with Petraitis named chairman, Filipkowski vice-chair, and Walter clerk. In each case, Walter dissented.

In the discussion that followed, Filipkowski and Petriatis named two issues in which they felt Walter had not shared information they should have been aware of, saying that Walter had been aware in January of problems with the computer server in the accountant’s office, but had not mentioned it to the board until the end of February, causing delay, confusion and concern; and that in last week’s meeting, Walter had reported there was nothing to discuss from her attendance at a FinCom meeting the previous evening, then, in executive session, had discussed with a person at that meeting information from the FinCom meeting.

Walter stated her belief that the traditional manner in which chairmen each had a turn during his or her term of office should be continued, saying it brought fresh approaches, allowing the board growth. “I feel I’ve made

every effort to keep fellow board members informed, to work well with you.” She cited constraints in regard to open meeting laws as to information discussed outside posted meetings.

When Petraitis cited former selectman James Caldwell’s two years as chair, Walter said that then-selectman Robert Lane did not wish to serve, and member and former chairman James Foyle often traveled on business, and could not be present at meetings, so Caldwell’s continuing service had been a positive solution.

Toward the end of the meeting, Caldwell appeared and asked to speak. Saying he had been watching the meeting on local access television, he declared the previous actions “unconscionable for the two men to execute a power grab” and to deny Walter the opportunity to perform as chairman. He spoke at some length regarding her dedication, accomplishments, and qualifications for the position. “She should not be deprived of the opportunity to show what she can do,” he said.

Fiipkowski and Caldwell continued to debate the matter heatedly, neither backing down. Filipkowski saying, “This is not about her qualifications as a selectman. This is about her inability to share information with other members of this board.”

In later conversation, Walter, saying she felt blindsided, said she felt that anyone who had worked with her on various boards and committees, would testify to her openness, willingness to work hard and well with other members, and willingness to respond to criticism in a positive manner. “If I’ve failed, I’ll continue to try; if there’s improvement to be made, I’ll make it,” she said.

Petraitis, in a later phone conversation, said he had, in recent months, been “giving serious thought” to the upcoming reorganization. In a response to a question, he maintained that he and Filipkowski had not planned the action in advance. “There have been brief comments from time to time,” he said. “He made the motion.” Finally, he said that “I guess the matter will be discussed at future meetings.”

Filipkowski could not be reached Wednesday for further comment.