Marshfield Select Board Reappoints Town Counsel, Tables Other Appointments
Board votes to retain Attorney Galvin for another year while debating appointment procedures
MARSHFIELD - June 16 - The Marshfield Select Board votes to reappoint Town Counsel Robert Galvin for another year after hearing strong public support during Monday's meeting. The board also approves several event permits while tabling most other appointments amid concerns about the appointment process.
In a 2-1 vote, with Chair Eric Kelley opposed, the board reappoints Galvin, who has served as town counsel since 2012. The decision follows testimony from several residents and town employees praising Galvin's service.
"Bob is an individual that can be trusted. He's not corruptible," says William Earley, a resident who shared his positive experiences working with Galvin. "He's somebody that you can regularly find in the office when you drive by on a Saturday or Sunday working on town affairs."
Several department heads, including Police Chief Phil Tavares, DPW Superintendent Shawn Patterson, and Harbormaster Mike DiMeo, speak in support of Galvin's reappointment.
"I've worked here for nine years. I've worked for four different communities. And I have to say, Bob is one of the best," Patterson tells the board. "Be very careful what you wish for, because Bob is an expert in doing the job I do."
Vice Chair Steve Darcy emphasizes Galvin's integrity, noting that Galvin has often provided unpopular but honest legal advice, even when it went against his own financial interests.
"Not only did he say something that wasn't popular that we didn't want to hear, it's that he did that and he was right," Darcy says, referring to Galvin's advice regarding the MBTA Communities Act.
Chair Kelley expresses his preference for issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the position, while board member Trish Simpson suggests a six-month appointment with an RFP process to ensure the town has the best representation.
"A lot of residents are tired of the rubber stamp," Simpson says. "I think I do agree for the RFP only for the fact that it has Bob come to us and with other people and say why he deserves to be our attorney."
Interim Town Administrator Peter Morin, who previously worked with Galvin in another community, offers his professional assessment.
"He's very well respected. He's continuously been an individual of integrity," Morin says. "The institutional memory that he has for this town and what its legal matters are will not be matched by anyone in the business."
The board tables all other appointments after discussing concerns about the appointment process. Kelley notes that he only recently received the appointment policy document and expresses frustration with the current system.
"The process is screwy in regards to this. And that needs to change," Kelley says. "I think it would be unfair to everybody."
Town Counsel Galvin advises that individuals whose appointments expire on June 30 will be considered "holdover appointees" and can continue to serve until the board makes new appointments.
The board does vote to reappoint several town employees, including the animal control officer, building commissioner, veterans agent, and other staff positions.
In other business, the board:
* Approves a request from Harbormaster Mike DiMeo to contact the Division of Marine Fisheries about conducting aquatic testing in Marshfield waters, which could potentially open areas for shellfish harvesting and aquaculture.
* Authorizes the placement of boulders along the boundaries of the town green to protect event participants from vehicle strikes, as recommended by the Police Department following a Department of Homeland Security assessment.
* Grants temporary liquor and entertainment licenses for the Levitate Music Festival scheduled for July 12-13 at the Marshfield Fairgrounds.
* Approves temporary liquor licenses for three events at the Historic Winslow House.
* Grants annual peddler's licenses to Dell's Lemonade and Gonzales Food Truck to operate at events in town.
* Accepts donations to the Ventress Memorial Library and Veterans Services.
The meeting concludes with the board voting to place two items on the agenda for their next meeting on June 30 at Darcy’s request: a discussion and vote on a Pride Month proclamation, and a discussion and vote on reorganization of the board.
"If a majority of your board says we want something else to be added and you object and it's a majority, then the majority controls," Galvin explains when Kelley questions the procedure for setting the agenda.
The motion to add the Pride proclamation to the next agenda passes 2-1, with Kelley opposed, while the motion for board reorganization passes unanimously.
The board's next meeting is scheduled for June 30.