01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, December 12, 2006

By Maria Armental

Journal Staff Writer

CHARLESTOWN — Acting Town Administrator Edward M. Barrett was appointed yesterday to a two-year term on a split 3-to-2 vote.

Council President Katharine H. Waterman and Vice President Harriet A. Allen voted against the appointment, citing concerns about the process.

“It’s a very dangerous situation to fill an important, powerful position with someone we don’t know,” Allen said, adding that failing to conduct a thorough search “would constitute willful neglect of duty.”

The Town Charter does not outline a formal search procedure when filling positions.

Barrett replaces outgoing Town Administrator Richard Sartor, whose resignation becomes effective on Dec. 28.

Barrett will make $76,000 a year plus benefits. He has opted out of the town’s health-care coverage in exchange for a $400 monthly allowance, subject to adjustment during the budget process. He will also receive a $300 a month allowance in lieu of a municipal vehicle.

Waterman and Allen had asked for an updated résumé and a background check as well as a chance to interview the candidate prior to a permanent appointment being made. Instead, Waterman and Allen suggested Barrett be appointed interim administrator, for a six-month term, while the council launched a search.

“This has nothing to do with Mr. Barrett. This has to do with what’s right and wrong,” Allen said.

“I don’t need you to tell me what’s right or wrong,” Councilman James M. Mageau said.

Mageau and fellow Councilman John O. Craig Jr. defended the appointment, noting the candidate review process had not been followed before.

“Yes, there was a process,” Craig said. But “that [process] wasn’t followed. People have done what they wanted to do. The majority rules.”

“I’m not trying to do anything that wasn’t done before,” Craig said.

Mageau and Craig also rejected Allen’s request for the council to interview Barrett prior to the appointment, saying in unison, “That’s not part of the motion.”

“I believe he is qualified to do the job,” Mageau said.

“He has a stellar reputation, contrary to some of the things I’ve been reading in the paper,” he said.

Mageau said he has received numerous e-mails supporting Barrett. “It’s unfortunate that the appointment has turned into a political football.”

He said a background check was not needed since one had been conducted prior to Barrett’s first tenure as Charlestown’s town administrator. He was fired in June 2001. Since that time, Barrett has been retired and a new background check would not reveal much difference, Mageau said.

“I’ve worked with Ed Barrett before,” Craig said, “I feel he’s very capable, someone whom I trust.”

“He’s a middle-of-the-road type of guy,” said Craig, who served as council president during Barrett’s first tenure and resigned along with the council vice president when the council voted to terminate Barrett.

“Maybe you were fired for all the right reasons, but I don’t know that,” Allen told Barrett, who remained silent while council members discussed his appointment.

Barrett, who was first hired in Charlestown in September 2000, was fired in June 2001. The three council members who voted to dismiss him said he had been uncooperative with the council.

Barrett had previously served as town administrator in Weare, N.H. The Board of Selectmen, unanimously terminated his contract in April 2000 citing divisiveness among town employees and Barrett’s inability to work with the board.

In 1996, Barrett resigned amid controversy as town manager from Rangeley, Maine.

Barrett declined comment after the meeting.