Carlson named Select Board chair for second year over Mead’s objection

If anyone was worried that Select Board meetings would be quiet after Ed Prisby refused to seek re-election, they haven’t met Ray Mead.

The newly elected Mead was not at all tentative in his first meeting as a Select Board member, opposing Peter Carlson’s second term as chair from a moral stance, asking for clarifications on agenda items, and occasionally jumping in to answer questions about Town Meeting before his replacement as town moderator, the newly elected Dawn Anderson, could speak.

Select Board member Mat Often nominated Carlson for re-appointed, calling for some leadership continuity in a town that has had three town administrators in the past year (Tim McInerney mutually separated from the town in July; Carter Terenzini served as temporary town administrator for several months; and current TA Evan Brassard only recently started) as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, a Proposition 2 1/2 override, and multiple changes among staff in the Municipal Center. He was seconded by Doreen DeFazio, who served for the past year as vice chair.

“As a team, he is the best choice moving forward,” DeFazio said.

Mead said he believed board leadership would rotate, adding that Grafton never had the same person as the board’s chair in consecutive years.

“I have nothing against Peter, I think he’s doing a great job,” Mead said. “I want to see other people step up to the plate and take on the job as chairman.”

Carlson was re-appointed, 4-1, with Mead as the lone opposing vote. Mead also reassured him that it was nothing personal.

“The chair serves at the pleasure of the board,” Carlson said.

Colleen Roy was unanimously picked as vice chair on DeFazio’s nomination, while Often was voted in as clerk on Mead’s nomination.

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