Gray Named Selectmen Chair on Contentious Split Vote

John Gray is the new chairman of the Foxborough Board of Selectmen, but it was not without a few tense and uncomfortable moments at the start of the meeting.

Despite a nomination by Selectman David Feldman to make Selectman Jim DeVellis the chair Tuesday night, Gray was named the board’s chair on a 3-2 vote, after DeVellis was initially voted the chair, also on a 3-2 vote.

In the original vote, DeVellis was joined by Feldman and recently elected Selectman Chris Mitchell.

DeVellis, who previously served as the chair in during the 2012-13 cycle, accepted the nomination while speaking optimistically of the potential of the board.

“In a way Foxborough is going backwards to the time where people in the community are stepping up. You saw it with Sam Berns and Danny Nickerson. If people reach out and if people ask, a lot of good things can happen,” DeVellis said. “I think there is a good opportunity and the selectmen can capitalize on it over the next year.”

After the vote, Gray accused members of the board of pre-meeting collusion, an accusation denied by DeVellis, newly elected Selectman Chris Mitchell, and Feldman.

“Everyone brings something to this table. You’re (Gray) a very smart guy, nobody is going to deny that, it has nothing to do with personality. I think we have an opportunity built a team and I think Jim can to a better job building a team and get this board working together in a single direct,” Feldman said.

Coppola, who nominated Gray, wanted to see the board remain with the cycle where the vice chair becomes the chair the following year. Gray, who is about to start his third year as a selectman, severed as the vice-chair last year and as the clerk in his first.

“I was under the impression this board always worked together. You get experience as you go along. It’s his turn, he’s been clerk and vice-chairman, and now I nominate John,” Coppola said.

“It’s not about turns, it’s about who can be the best leader. At this point, I think it’s Jim,” Feldman replied.

After a request for support from Gray, DeVellis replied, “I’m telling you I can do a better job than you. I tried to be polite about it, but you put me on the spot.”

After Coppola declined a nomination for vice-chair, DeVellis called for a revote for chair, which saw Gray take the board’s top position with votes from himself, DeVellis, and Coppola.

“It’s the toughest thing for me on the board is to not say something and I don’t want to start the year fighting over a title, it’s just not that important to me,” DeVellis said.

Feldman was voted the vice-chair with only Coppola not voting for him. Mitchell was appointed the clerk on a unanimous vote.