Petition signatures verified to recall Filipkowski

Affidavit sent to board of selectmen

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

NORTH BROOKFIELD – Town Clerk Sheila Buzzell recently reported that 558 signatures on a petition to recall selectmen Robert Filipkowski have been certified. She said that the affidavit has been sent to the board of selectmen’s secretary. The number of signatures exceeds the required 15 percent, or 443 signatures.

In a surprise move on May 4, the day after an election in which selectman chairman Jason Petraitis had been returned to office unopposed, third member Robert Filipkowski moved to reorganize the board, with Petraitis continuing as chairman.

Selectman Mary Walter who, according to tradition would have moved to the chairman’s position, inquired as to the reasoning. Petraitis responded, “We don’t feel you share information in a timely manner.”

Despite Walter’s protestations to the contrary, Petraitis called for a vote, himself and Filipkowski approving, Walter dissenting.

In future meetings, several former selectmen appeared, asking to be recognized and asking further that the male members reconsider their vote. Petraitis at some point said that he would “be more than happy to discuss it at a later date,” but further requests from former selectmen James Foyle, Richard Chabot and others were denied and finally gaveled down.

Subsequently, the recall petition was filed by Chabot and Foyle, charging “discrimination, suspected collusion in the selection of the chairman of the board of selectmen, and suspected violation of noncompliance of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law”.

In public and in private conversations with a reporter, Chabot and Foyle have cited their reasoning for the action. Collusion, as defined by law they say, is defined as “where two persons or business entities enter into a deceitful agreement, usually secret, to defraud and/or gain an unfair advantage over a third party, competitors, consumers or those with whom they are negotiation.”

Petraitis said “that’s conjecture,” when asked whether he and Filipkowski had discussed Filipkowski’s motion in advance.

A viewing of a tape of the May 4 meeting shows Petraitis responding immediately, in response to Walter’s question regarding the reasoning behind Filipkowski’s motion “we don’t feel…”

Foyle and Chabot both state that they feel Walter works harder, is better qualified to be chairman, and accomplishes more than the other two members, and that she has worked more closely with the finance committee in difficult financial times.

Both stated that, if it were possible to recall Petraitis at this time, that action would have been taken. The law precludes such action until six months following his election. Chabot has said that action will take place in the fall, on the same grounds.

Filipkowski, in a recent interview, said, “I won’t quit. When the people hear and understand our reasoning, they will realize that, though selectman Walter is a capable selectman, she would not be a good chairman. We can’t have a chairman who refuses to share information.”

Both he and Petraitis point to a problem with a computer, stating that Walter knew of, and did not share information for a matter of weeks.

Petraitis maintains that there is no possibility of collusion, “as all action takes place in front of a camera.”

Foyle and Chabot say they have no candidate for selectman if the Filipkowski recall happens.

Former selectmen James Lovett and Frank Hubacz Jr. also signed the recall affidavit.