Former Selectman Could Be New Interim Stoughton Town Manager

STOUGHTON, MA — The title of town manager could be held by the fourth person in less than four weeks.

During a meeting that lasted no more than 6 minutes, the board of selectmen voted 3-2 to ask businessman and former selectman Steve Anastos to be the interim town manager. Selectmen Robert O'Reagan and Michael Sullivan voted no. The recommendation came from Selectman Robert Cohn, who said that he did not know how long the town manager situation would take to resolve and the board needed to think of a long term town manager.

Interim Town Manager and Town Accountant William Rowe was not present and is out of the office. In the interim, Town Assessor Joe Gibbons is the acting town manager.

The development is the latest in the ongoing Stoughton town manager saga. On June 29, the board voted to appoint Rowe the interim town manager, apparently ousting Town Manager Michael Hartman in the process. Hartman has since filed a lawsuit in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham which is scheduled to be heard Monday afternoon.

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• WATCH: Selectmen Replace Hartman As Town Manager During Heated Meeting

Rowe has been the interim town manager since July 1, when Hartman's contract expired. Hartman, who has sued the town, says he was never formally discharged as is required by the town charter. In a past press release, Chairman David Sousa said letting Hartman's contract expire on June 30 and appointing Rowe are consistent with their authority under state law and the town charter.

The board also voted 3-2 to have Selectman Peter Brown and Town Counsel Brian Winner discuss the offer with Anastos. Again, O'Reagan and Sullivan were the no votes.

A selectmen meeting is scheduled for Tuesday in case there is an agreement between the town and Anastos.

Image: File Photo