Selectmen's Meeting Becomes Contentious Over Town Manager's Fate

STOUGHTON, MA — As the fate of Town Manager Michael Hartman remains in the air, residents once again defended the town’s top official Monday night.

Prior to the public comment session during Monday’s selectmen meeting, Selectman Peter Brown denied accusations of a “witch hunt” aimed at Hartman, warning people that such comments would have an adverse effect on the town manager.

“I will tell you this, he will be treated fairly by me. I’m warning people, it’s not going to advance the town with these personal and political smears,” Brown said.

The tone of the meeting escalated after the first speaker. Deborah Sovinee urged the board to not fire Hartman, noting his work with the superintendent of schools and the arrival of Amazon in town.

“Have you considered the risk of damage to Stoughton’s reputation? Have you consider the risk to the High School Building Project and our partnership with the state? It’s going to be on your shoulders and you need to think long and hard of the consequences,” she told the board.

Chairman David Sousa initially began to respond to Sovinee’s comments, stating that neither the committee for the project or the Finance Committee have sitting members from the selectmen before addressing some laughter that came from the audience.

“When I ran to become a member of the board, I ran to represent the business, employees, and residents if this town. I represent the truth, the just, and the American way,” Sousa said. “Don’t laugh. Don’t even laugh because I will throw you out of the Town Hall. This is not a funny matter. People think this is funny. If I knew what I knew today, I would not be sitting in this chair for the stuff that happens at Town Hall. More people need to get involved to see what’s going on,” Sousa said.

Selectman Robert Cohn said it was the state that brought Amazon to Stoughton by showing them the former Reebok factory before Hartman offered tax credits for the internet commerce company.

Pat Colburn, who served as the vice-chairperson of the Finance Committee at the time of Hartman’s hiring, commented on Hartman’s professionalism despite the two often not seeing eye to eye on many issues.

“I could care less if the town manager lives here and attends parades. I want him to run this town in accordance with the town charter and I believe that is what Mr. Hardman is doing,” Coburn said. “If you succeed in getting rid of him, there is no doubt in my mind that HR will be next, then procurement, then the town clerk, then economic development, and on and on.”

Resident Dori Frankel criticized both Sousa and Brown for comments made.

“Many of you have made it clear on social media and SMAC your feelings on the town manager which has a damaging effect and is full of inaccurate information. You feel there is a shadow government. If this were true you wouldn’t be sitting here,” Frankel said.

Frankel reference a statement from Sousa, who made remarks concerning a shadow government that has plants on boards and control some department managers.

“Why is that appropriate for a sitting selectman to state something so degrading?” Frankel asked.

“I have my first amendment rights,” Sousa said.

“I’m embarrassed for you that you don’t really know what that sounds like,” Frankel replied.

After being told by Frankel that he should hear how his earlier statement came across, Brown said, “I really don’t care. You said enough. The thing I find disingenuous is that it’s the same people here. Nothing has happened.”

Former board member Thomas Recopuero advised the selectmen to end the issue and move on.

“Go off into one of your work sessions, sit down, and have an airing of the grievances. Make a deal with the town manager that you're going to have an executive session to discuss his character and dismissal is off the board. Make that public statement. If you do that and then there is some violation, then fine, bring it back," Recopuero said.

The employment of Hartman has been a hot issue in town for months. An executive session to discuss his employment has been on past agendas but has been canceled each time.