Appointment Stalemate Leaves Finance Committee Two Members Short

The three-member Finance Committee Appointing Authority Thursday failed to achieve the required unanimity and is going back to the well in an effort to fill two vacancies.

Town bylaws require that the authority—the Moderator, Select Board chair, and Finance Committee chair—fill vacancies by a 3-0 vote.

Thursday was the second effort to fill vacancies resulting from the retirements of Thomas Busa and David Powell.

Steve Carluccio, FinCom chair, opened Thursday’s proceedings by nominating former School Committee member Abigail Seibert and Meredith Wasko. He said that after much reflection, he was offering a compromise after the group’s earlier meeting.

Carluccio pointed out that Wasko is corporate comptroller at Mass General Brigham and is a long-time resident with children in the schools. “I would like to know why we won’t consider her.”

The nominations were not seconded.

“It’s astounding to me that I can’t get a second,” he said. “I came here with a compromise to appoint both of your first choices,” meaning Seibert.

Emily Mitchell, Select Board chair, said, “It’s important for people on the Finance Committee to have experience in town government. That’s the most important thing for me.” Moderator Mark Siegenthaler echoed that position. There are many residents skilled in finance, he said. “My preference is for people who have exposure to how the town works.”

Carluccio pointed out that most current Finance Committee members don’t fit that criterion, and haven’t for several years. He added that candidate Thomas Rowan has been a member of the Capital Expenditure Committee for one year, which he feels means “there’s no material difference” between his candidacy and others.

“I feel like there may be other things in play here,” Carluccio commented.

Siegenthaler noted that all three members agree on Seibert. Carluccio replied that at a prior meeting the understanding was that the replacements would be voted together.

Mitchell moved Seibert’s nomination nevertheless, Carluccio seconded the motion and the vote was 2-1.

The three agreed to ask the Volunteer Coordinating Committee to recommend other candidates. Also, Carluccio pointed out that there were two other interested residents who were not interviewed this round. “I don’t even know whether VCC has additional applicants,” noted Siegenthaler.

The authority won’t be meeting again until Aug. 4.

Carluccio and Siegenthaler had an exchange just before adjournment.

Most communities are “tolerant of different viewpoints,” and “work through differences of opinion,” said Carluccio, reading from remarks he had prepared. “There needs to be room at the table for others. I don’t think this is happening.”

“I object to the characterization that the three of us are exhibiting what you just said,” answered Siegenthaler. “I am trying to have a Finance Committee that is most experienced in town workings as we can.”

Correction 6/23/2022: Ms. Wasko is Corporate Controller at Mass General Brigham, not Massachusetts General Hospital as first stated.

Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763