TRACY CESAN
SOUTHWICK – Town Clerk Michelle Hill said there was no violation of the open meeting law following a vote to appoint a new police chief Monday.
The Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 to offer the position to Lt. David Ricardi, with Selectwoman Tracy Cesan voting against the motion because she wanted to post the job in-house to allow for other candidates.
Cesan said following the vote that she was surprised there was a vote at all.
“I thought we were just discussing the process,” said Cesan. “I didn’t know we were going to vote on this.”
Selectmen Assistant Sondra Pendleton stated she also did not expect a vote that night.
The official meeting agenda topics included “Police Chief replacement process,” which Hill said was specific enough to render the vote legal.
“Anything clearly put on the agenda has the potential for a vote,” said Hill. “If something is discussed under ‘Old Business’ or ‘New Business’ or if someone in the audience brings something up, there should be no voting.”
Hill pointed out that the item did not include the word “discussion” or “vote,” but she said “an agenda item that is clear can render a vote of some kind.”
