ORANGE — The Selectboard’s chair and vice chair retained their seats on Wednesday despite votes of respectful opposition from a couple of colleagues.
Jane Peirce and Tom Smith will remain in their positions for the foreseeable future following 3-2 votes on motions to reappoint them to their jobs. The two have had their leadership posts for about a year.
Smith made a motion to reappoint Peirce as chair shortly before making one to reappoint himself as vice chair. He explained he felt Peirce should be reappointed for continuity’s sake, as she has been working on several endeavors, such as the North Main Street improvement project and the possibility of developing the land near Orange Municipal Airport. His motions were seconded by Selectboard member Andrew Smith, to whom he is not related.
Member Richard Sheridan spoke up to say he meant no offense or disrespect to Peirce, but felt reappointing a person as chair “makes that position more powerful than what it’s supposed to be.” He said that, until recently, there had been a 200-year tradition of having people serve as chair on a yearly rotating basis and he believes the board should return to that model.
Sheridan noted he has “no doubt” Peirce is working hard for the town.
“I’ll attest to that,” he said.
Selectboard Clerk Patricia Lussier agreed with Sheridan. The two were the dissenting votes on both of Tom Smith’s motions.
“I don’t want to see another situation where the same person is in the same position for year after year after year. I don’t think it’s fair to the other members,” Lussier commented. “As Dick said, I think it should be rotated around so that everyone gets the experience. Everyone has their own style. I mean, the basic parameters are going to remain the same, but I do firmly believe that we should go back to the age-old tradition of rotating through every member.”
Tom Smith said he understands and respects his colleagues’ opinions on the matter. Andrew Smith said while he does not object to a rotating basis, he also sees no issue with Peirce serving another year as chair.
When it came time to discuss Tom Smith’s motion to be reappointed as vice chair, Sheridan said he had the same objection for the same reason, though his stance is nothing against Smith.
“I think he’s a great guy and been a great selectman, and he’s done a lot for the town and so forth,” Sheridan said, “but I think, again, having the same position over and over and over again sets a dangerous precedent.”
Peirce said she has worked a great deal with Tom Smith over the past year and she feels the two have accomplished much together.
“I’ve found him to be a steady and responsive partner, who works hard and respects the rules,” she said. “I think that’s really important.”
Tom Smith called for a vote on the matter, saying it was “kind of insulting” to see a discussion go back and forth so much over a Selectboard title.
Following the vice chair appointment vote, Tom Smith made a motion, which passed unanimously, to reappoint Lussier as Selectboard clerk. Lussier said she would be happy to continue as clerk.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.