TRACY CESAN
SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen this week briefly mentioned a claim against the town by Selectwoman Tracy Cesan at the end of its Sept. 9 meeting.
Before adjourning, Chairman Russell Fox said a meeting between the board, minus Cesan, and the Finance Committee needed to be scheduled.
Fox said because of Cesan’s “action” against the town, she could not be present. The meeting would include discussions about using special counsel D.M. Moschos, an attorney the town has used this past year to represent the interests of Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart in matters relating to conflicts of interest with Cesan.
Cesan is both a selectman and town employee, which Fox and former Selectman Arthur Pinell argued created a conflict between Cesan and Stinehart.
Cesan said Monday she wanted to discuss Fox’s comment about a meeting with the committee. Fox allowed the discussion, warning Cesan to “tread lightly.”
Cesan asked why special counsel was needed and said the town’s insurance should cover costs associated with litigation.
Fox said he could not comment following the meeting and said all inquiries should be made to Moschos. Stinehart also referred The Westfield News to Moschos, as well as town counsel Kenneth Albano, who handles any other complaints against the town.
Calls to Moschos and Albano were not returned by press time. An inquiry about the number of complaints against the town was made to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, but was not returned in time for this article.
