11:14 AM EST on Tuesday, November 18, 2008

By Donita Naylor

Journal staff writer

CHARLESTOWN -- Within 25 minutes of being sworn in last night, the Town Council fired the town administrator, appointed two assistant administrators to run the town, called for a search committee, changed solicitors and agreed to try to revive the Tri-Town Council.

With about 90 people filling the seats, standing in the back and spilling into the hall but looking in through the council chamber windows, state Rep. Donna M. Walsh swore in the new council. The new members took their seats.

Marjorie F. Frank, as highest vote-getter in the Nov. 4 election, said she accepted, humbly, the responsibility to serve as council president. She was elected unanimously, as was Gregory J. Avedisian as vice president.

The next vote, also unanimous, was to terminate Edward Barrett as town administrator, effectively immediately.

Polite applause broke out. One "Bravo!" was heard from the back of the room.

As the council appointed Town Clerk Jodi LaCroix and Tax Assessor Kenneth Swain to act as interim administrators, Barrett stood and walked from the room. He spent a few minutes in his office with former council member Bruce Picard, declined to comment to reporters, returned to the meeting to give something to LaCroix and left Town Hall.

After setting Dec. 3 as the deadline for applications of people who want to help search for a new administrator, the new council decided that Town Solicitor Robert E. Craven will keep his position as prosecutor and probate judge, but will give up the town solicitor role to Peter D. Ruggiero, who had been the town solicitor through January 2006.

Joseph Larisa was re-appointed as town solicitor for Indian affairs and, after the floor was opened to public comment, accompanied the council into executive session to discuss an 81-acre land acquisition. They decided to have the property appraised, they announced later. The owner, Larry LeBlanc, is asking $5.5 million. Buying the land would require a voter referendum.

Avedisian moved that the council ask the Richmond and Hopkinton councils to reinstate the Tri-Town Council to consider Chariho Regional School issues as well as other matters affecting the three towns. The motion passed unanimously.

Before going into executive session and less than 40 minutes after the council was sworn in, the floor was opened to public comment. Dr. Milton Krantz observed the "good feeling here" and predicted more townspeople will volunteer for boards and commissions. He asked the council to ask the state to widen Route 1A and consider adding a bike path.

Faith LaBossiere invited council members, their families and the town to "walk off the turkey" on a nature hike at Trustom Pond from 10 a.m. to noon the day after Thanksgiving.

Mary Taylor said she had missed the last meeting, but she wanted to thank former Acting President James. M. Mageau for two things that he accomplished during his tenure. First, she said, was that "a coalition of people who dearly care for this town was formed, from all political affiliations," referring to the Charlestown Citizens Alliance, whose candidates became the new council, and second, she said, "the recall provision that was written into our charter so we would never have to endure the likes of Mr. Mageau again."