Tempers fly as Lancaster board nixes town administrator's contract

Tempers fly as Lancaster board nixes town administrator's contract

By Lynne Klaft CORRESPONDENT

LANCASTER — The lack of public input leading up to the vote by the Board of Selectmen to not renew the contract of Town Administrator Orlando Pacheco drew the ire of more than 100 residents who had gathered — most in support of Mr. Pacheco — for Tuesday's meeting at the Lancaster Community Center.

When Selectmen Chairman Jean M. Syria announced there would be no public discussion during the meeting that included the approval of meeting minutes and Mr. Pacheco's contract, residents became uproarious.


Former Selectman James J. Ford jumped from his seat and yelled, "You should adjourn this meeting, this is clearly inappropriate." The crowd in the Lancaster Community Center replied, "Hear, hear, yes! Is this a democracy or what?"

Mr. Ford continued, "I was on this board three times longer than all of you combined. You should get out of here and do this right, show this room some respect."

Town Counsel Brian M. Maser of Kopelman & Paige, Boston, reminded residents they had the right to sit and observe the meeting but did not have the right to interrupt or get in the way of the board's business, and that people could be removed.

Ms. Syria asked Police Chief Kevin Lamb to remove the vocal parties, and he replied that he would not, but did call the dispatcher to send the officer on duty to the community center.

Selectman Stanley B. Starr Jr. made a motion to have the meeting postponed until Jan. 6 in order for the public to be able to make comments, but neither Ms. Syria nor Selectman Susan E. Smiley seconded it.

Ms. Syria made a motion to not renew Mr. Pacheco's contract, which expires June 30. A resident reminded Ms. Syria that she, as the chairman, couldn't make such a motion, so Ms. Smiley made the motion to not renew Mr. Pacheco's contract. Ms. Syria seconded, and the board voted 2-1 to not renew the contract. Mr. Starr was the lone dissenter.

"It's not just this man (Mr. Pacheco), it's this town's integrity," Mr. Ford said after the vote. "Stand up if you support (him)."

Nearly everyone in the room stood up and clapped, with some shouting at the board, "Shame on you!" With that, several people from the audience walked up to the selectmen's table and confronted the board.

While it was unclear whether the selectmen had adjourned, the dispatched police officer had to escort Ms. Syria and Ms. Smiley from the building.

Mr. Pacheco said he was overwhelmed by the support of the residents and his staff.

"I'm not happy about my contract, but I am hoping that the board will enter into a dialogue with me," he said. "We've never met to discuss my contract."

The Finance Committee had opened their meeting at the same time as the selectmen, and Chairman James Riley said they were willing to hear public comment from any resident.

"I can't believe that people who have spent so little time on this board could possibly be doing this," Planning Board member Victor Koivumaki said. "I was losing sleep over this. It's like Joseph McCarthy all over again."

Library Director Joseph Mule read a statement on behalf of town employees, and Town Moderator David I. Spanagel said, "this was an irresponsible breach of trust" on the selectmen's part.

Tom Christopher of the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission said that Mr. Pacheco was an asset to the town, and resident George C. Frantz suggested that the Finance Committee should consider "de-funding" the selectmen until they started acting in a responsible fashion.

"We can make a difference, put pressure to bear. I find this embarrassing and I am embarrassed for the town," former selectman and chairman Jennifer B. Leone said. "Who would want to work for us, would you? We need to make a stand for the community."

Ms. Leone added that there was a recall petition that residents could sign.

Frank T. Leonard stood outside of the meeting asking people to sign two different petitions, one for an article for a special town meeting and another for a recall election. He explained that he needed 200 signatures to ask for a special town meeting.

Town Clerk Susan Thompson spoke during the public comment of the Finance Committee's meeting and said the, "meeting was a farce. It was obvious that there was a violation of open meeting law and I am willing to help any resident file a complaint."