Plymouth: Decision not to reappoint Fin Com members questioned as possible payback

In Plymouth, at the Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night, the fact that the Town Moderator decided not to reappoint Linda Benezra and Pat Whalen to the committee was questioned as politically motivated.

Town Meeting member Richard Serkey spoke to the committee of the value of Benezra and Whalen’s service. He also mentioned their successful role in limiting town paid health insurance benefits:

“Ms. Benezra and Ms. Whalen were both actively engaged in the 2010 effort to limit the ability of the moderator and the selectmen to participate in the town’s health insurance plan. The Moderator opposed these limitations, but Town Meeting ultimately approved them.”

Serkey added that people in town will have to determine whether the Moderator’s decision not to reappoint Benezra and Whalen amounts to political payback.

The Moderator’s action raised questions for FinCom member, Nancy McSpadden, who responded to Serkey’s comments:

“It was a tremendous loss for the committee and it leads me to question why wouldn’t they be reappointed? There’s no other reason except to think that perhaps their previous stance on an issue was held against them. And, if that is the case we have a problem, and it needs to be corrected. Change, perhaps, needs to be made.”

No change was made in FinCom’s slate of officers. Robert Nassau was re-elected Chair, John Moody and Mike Hanlon will serve as 1st and 2nd Vice Chair.

Plymouth: Decision not to reappoint Fin Com members questioned as possible payback [ 1:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (13)