In what is typically a quick approval, the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday cast a divided vote in appointing a resident as a regular member of one of the municipality’s volunteer commissions.
First Selectman Dionna Carlson, while introducing an item to appoint Don Mastronardi to the Inland Wetlands Commission, noted that she had spoken with the candidate “because he has been unable to attend regularly as an alternate member.”
“And he said that he was having some staffing issues at his businesses, but that that issue has been resolved,” Carlson said during the selectmen’s regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “And I explained to him that attendance is mandatory. That if you miss too many meetings that this Board can take you up to say that we would like you to step down.”
Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll said she wasn’t comfortable voting in favor of Mastronardi’s appointment as a regular member because of his attendance record as an alternate on the Commission.
“People in this town are very generous with their time and we appreciate it, but when people raise their hand to be on a board, even as an alternate, it is the expectation that you participate,” Murphy Carroll said.
She continued: “And it’s really important, I think. We have the alternates for many reasons—obviously not everyone can make every meeting—but that is an excellent way for you to get on board and understand what the process of all these committees are. And what bothers me on this one, and I know life gets busy and people don’t know what happens, but there has been almost no participation as an alternate by Don to date.”
The selectmen appointed Mastronardi as an alternate to the Inland Wetlands Commission one year ago. (That was a 2-0 vote with Murphy Carroll abstaining because she hadn’t had a chance to meet with him, according to the meeting minutes). Since that appointment, the Commission has conducted nine site visits and 12 meetings, town records show. Mastronardi attended two site visits and three meetings (via Zoom), the minutes show.
Murphy Carroll suggested the selectmen hold off on his appointment for three months and then follow up after Mastronardi has demonstrated an ability to attend the meetings.
“I just think it’s sending the wrong message,” Murphy Carroll said, adding: “I was in the Board of Finance as an alternate for a good year or so. It was really helpful, because you learn a lot. But I think it’s the wrong message if we’re saying that we take the role of alternates seriously… I understand you had the conversation, but I would not feel comfortable right now knowing the past track record that you’ll definitely get the attendance you need.”
Carlson and Selectman Steve Karl pushed back on delaying Mastronardi’s appointment as a regular member.
Carlson said that if he isn’t participating as a regular member, “there’s a mechanism to get him off the board,” referring to Murphy Carroll responded that the selectmen have “never used that mechanism.”
Under the Town Charter, “Any appointed officers or members of any appointed board, commission or committee may be removed for cause prior to the expiration of their respective terms by unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen.” And “Failure of an appointed member to attend three successive meetings of his or her respective board, commission or committee, without adequate excuse, shall be a cause for removal by unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen.”
Karl said that changing the way the Board of Selectmen has worked in the past with appointing alternates as regular members is “a slippery slope” that could set precedent for other boards and commissions in New Canaan.
“We set the process of ‘This is the way it works’ and if we start to alter that process we’re not honoring it,” Karl said.
Ultimately, Carlson and Karl voted in favor of making Mastronardi a regular member, while Murphy Carroll voted against.