Despite Using Wrong Name, Selectman Chair Says Interim Town Manager Vote Was Legal

STOUGHTON, MA – The name was wrong, but the chairman of the selectmen says the vote to name a new interim town manager is fine and stands.

During the final moments of Tuesday night's selectmen meeting, Chairman David Sousa apparently mistakenly said the name of Selectman Michael Sullivan while calling for a vote to appoint Stephen Anastos the new interim town manager.

"The motion is on the table, Mr. Sullivan, the motion is on the table. all in favor to hire Mr. Sullivan!" Sousa yelled over an argument between board members Robert O'Reagan and Robert Cohn.

Following the vote, the meeting quickly adjourned.

Prior to the vote, Selectman Peter Brown moved to appoint Anastos the interim town manager and Sousa said there was a motion on the table, and used the correct name.

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O'Regan sent out a message Wednesday morning to the board informing them of the mistake and calling the situation "a fine mess," advising the selectmen to not administer an oath or sign a contract with Anastos until the issue is sorted out.

Sousa told the Enterprise that the vote is fine and he will not revisit the issue.

As of Wednesday, Anastos is the interim town manager. His position was solidified by a Norfolk Superior Court ruling that denied an injunction that would have allowed Michael Hartman to return as town manager.

Image: File Photo