Councilor Craig says belated agenda item tied to talk about town’s ‘direction;’ Mageau says he’s wary of a move to oust executive.

By Chris Keegan
The Sun Staff
CHARLESTOWN – Town Councilor John O. Craig Jr. has called for a closed-door meeting with Town Administrator Edward M. Barrett and other councilors this week to discuss the direction of the town in the coming year – and one councilor says he’s concerned about a “rumor” of a deal for Barrett’s ouster.
At Craig’s request, the discussion – which is listed as a personnel action involving Barrett – has been added to Thursday’s previously scheduled executive session on pending litigation. Barrett has been notified of the meeting in writing – and has requested any discussion of his job performance to be conducted publicly, according to Town Clerk Jodi P. LaCroix.
“It’s about where are we going, and (whether) we should continue the way we are or continue to make changes,” Craig said this morning of his request, which was made Monday.
“With the continued deterioration of meetings and things going on the way they are in town, we need to look at everybody that’s involved.
“I’m just tired of the embarrassing moments and things that people are pointing out to me that should not be the focus of (town) meetings,” he added. “I’d like to get back on track – somehow, someway.”
During last week’s council meeting, Barrett drew fire on several fronts – including a terse e-mail exchange with Planning Commission Chairwoman Ruth Platner, and his requests for documentation related to a seven year-old property purchase that gave the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land for the Kettle Pond Visitor Center off Route 1.
In addition, fingers pointed in opposite directions over a $65,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the town’s wastewater program received earlier this year – but was recently returned to the federal agency unbeknownst to town officials. A sum of $15,000, however, was reinstated to the town through reclaim efforts by Barrett and Public Works Director Alan Arsenault – though the money is to be used for a septic system suitability test or engineering at Blue Shutters town beach, according to Parks and Recreation Director Lisa A. DiBello.
At the same time, several residents aligned with the Charlestown Citizens Alliance (a ballot advocacy group organized to remove Councilor James M.
Mageau from office through a special election) have called for Craig to break from a majority voting bloc with Mageau and Councilor Bruce W. Picard, signaling a possible power shift on the council.
“People writing negative statements about me are now cheering me on,” Craig said of the apparent change in public sentiment. “These are the same people that have criticized me since election… They always knew I had ability to be positive on the council, but I chose to work with Mr. Mageau and Picard. I supported certain things that kept people upset.”
“I have to do what I feel is right for the town of Charlestown,” he added.
Mageau said Monday that Craig is rumored to have the support of council President Katharine H.
Waterman and Vice President Harriet A. Allen as the next council president, in exchange for Barrett’s termination.
Waterman announced last week that she will not seek to another term as council head during next month’s re-organization meeting.
“The bottom line is that there is no legitimate reason for even talking about this,” Mageau said of the Barrett discussion. “Mr.
Barrett just went through his (six-month performance) review, and got stellar marks from John Craig, Bruce Picard and I.
Something has gone on between then and now to change his mind, if in fact he’s changed his mind.
“If the rumor has legitimacy, we’re going to have a problem,” Mageau added.
“Rumor has it they’re going to fire Barrett and put (former state Rep. Matthew J.) McHugh in there.”
Both Waterman and Allen said Monday that a deal has not been brokered for Barrett’s removal, while Craig denied that Thursday’s personnel discussion is part of a campaign to be the next council president.
“It’s not predetermined what’s going to happen,” Craig said of the meeting. “Just about anything can happen at one of those meetings.”
Barrett could not be reached for comment this morning.
ckeegan@thewesterlysun.com