Rindge select board member Roberta Oeser has resigned as the board’s chair, citing an “inability to obtain adequate and accurate information from the Town Administrator.”
Oeser, who read a statement during Wednesday’s select board meeting, said she will continue to stay on the board, but cannot be a “productive and effective” chair because she was not receiving appropriate or timely information from Town Administrator Joe Byk prior to board meetings.
“I, personally do not have the time to do the administrative work that should be performed on behalf of the board,” read Oeser’s statement. “Furthermore, I do not think it is an appropriate use of taxpayer money to pay someone for work that is not completed in a timely manner.”
Oeser, in her statement, added that she hopes the other board members experience her frustration “first hand,” and that they would be willing to work toward “a solution that is both productive and in the best interest of the town.”
Oeser said she made the decision to step down at the end of the board’s July 26 meeting, telling the Ledger-Transcript on Monday that she felt that the board kept getting “blindsided” when things were put on the agenda without much explanation from Byk.
“It makes me look like I don’t do any preparation for these meetings,” said Oeser. “I tend to make sure that I have knowledge on anything that’s on the agenda.”
Byk did not provide comment when asked about Oeser’s comments during a phone call on Monday morning.
Board vice chair Jim Qualey, who presided over the meeting after Oeser stepped down, said he was “completely surprised” by Oeser’s announcement, saying he had no warning of her decision.
“I think it is highly inappropriate to criticize an employee of the town publicly,” said Qualey, during the meeting. “It’s totally inappropriate and wrong.”
The board is scheduled to vote on a new chair during their next meeting, scheduled for Aug. 23.
Board members were divided in their opinion to replace departing Trustee of the Trust Funds Dominic Carguillo, with Qualey and Selectman Robert Hamilton voting Rick Sirvint into the position.
Qualey and Hamilton said they felt Sirvint’s experience in managing his synagogue’s trust fund was a factor in the decision.
Oeser sided with the recommendation of the trustees to have Craig Clark serve in the position. Oeser said she felt Clark was more qualified, and she didn’t think it was appropriate for Sirvint to serve as a trustee, as he has publicly stated his opinions on the Electric Light Trust Fund on multiple occasions.
Board members told the trustees they would entertain adding Clark to the trustees as an alternate.
The board also discussed the replacement of executive secretary Christine Smith, whose last day was Friday.
It was decided that the town would hire Joan Geary part time, to fill in from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., until a new executive secretary is found. Geary filled in before Smith had been hired.
Smith left the position because she was not aware her position was a front office position that could be equated to a receptionist, according to non-public meeting minutes from Aug. 2.
Smith said much of her day was spent directing people to the correct department and selling dump stickers, duties she didn’t feel were synonymous with an executive secretary position.
The minutes say Smith gave the board a “very thoughtful and informative overview” of potential improvements that could be made, including better communication between different departments, better coverage of the front desk so the executive secretary could take breaks, and including the position in on department head meetings.
The town has had some trouble retaining executive secretaries recently, with three people in the position since May 2013.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.