Residents Call for New Hingham Selectmen Chair

Hingham, MA — Some residents in town are calling for a new selectmen chairman less than two months after the board’s reorganization vote.

Thursday, the board spent about an hour addressing a petition calling for Chairman Paul Healey to step down to make way for Selectman Paul Gannon. The petition was created by resident Judy Kelley, who was unable to make the meeting due to a family commitment.

At the center of the controversy was May’s board reorganization vote. Healey, who served as the chairman during the previous year, was voted to a second consecutive term 2-1 over Gannon, who would have been voted as the chair if the board kept to their yearly rotation.

“The vote that I took was made in the public’s best interest. It’s not a popularity vote, it’s not policy,” Healey said. “My sole interest is severing the town as efficiently as I can so the work that is vital to the town can be done in an efficient and productive manner.”

Selectman Mary Power was the second vote for Healey, denying that her vote was based on previous votes.

“I felt that Paul Healey was the best choice for the town,” Power said.

Gannon said he wished the agenda item was scheduled for June 23 when Kelley planned on delivering the petition during the time reserved for citizen’s comment.

“If we’re looking at a chairman who is inclusive and chair that is a pretty good test,” Gannon said. “The legacy should be open, inclusive, and fair, not dictatorial where you say who can speak and when they can speak.”

Turning into a discussion on whether Gannon was qualified for the position, Power claimed that his issues with showing up to meetings late and absents was one of the reasons for her vote. She claimed that according to a review of selectmen meetings that aired on HCAM during the last year, Gannon was late or absent for 30 percent of the meetings.

Gannon said that could be attributed to his state Senate campaign.

“I was trying to serve this town in a higher capacity. You know and Paul knows as of April 12 I was no longer involved in that race. You know that won’t carry over,” Gannon said.

Resident Nelson Ross asked the board not to reconsider their decision, citing Gannon’s opposition to a town meeting article that specifies the role of the town administrator.

“I have invested in this issue for 33 months. I want to see it properly implemented,” he said.

“I respect your opinion but just because I don’t agree with a certain by-law doesn't mean I won’t follow it,” Gannon replied.

Ilona Cutler said the board should consider expanding to five members and supported Gannon has the chair.

Speaking on behalf of Kelley, Diane DeNapoli said they would return on June 23 and also supported a new vote.

“We will be back on the 23rd,” DeNapoli said.

“I put this on the agenda deliberately to get it out of the way. We have a lot of business we need to attend to and I don’t want to get bogged down by an issue like this,” Healey replied.

“If we want to see how Gannon performs let him be chair. He has an election next year and if he is late or doesn't do his job he will be voted out, that’s what the vote is for,” DeNapoli said.

“This is a $100 million business, with hundreds of volunteers and staff. That's too big of a gamble for me to take,” Power said.

No votes were taken, with no indication if the issue will be placed on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting.