After a lengthy executive session, the Abington Board of Selectmen voted to uphold the removal of three members from the Conservation Commission.
During an August meeting, the board voted to remove Karen Bowen, Joanne Demack-Harding, and Jim Dombrowski. New member Lynne Mullen was suspended for 15 days.
This was after a site visit to a resident’s property, but the Selectmen ruled the members did not follow proper procedure. Dombrowski admitted to physically tapping the resident on the wrist.
Town Counsel Jaime Kenny said the commission members were not given proper notice or granted a hearing before they were removed. On Monday, the selectmen rescinded the vote, and met in executive session to conduct the hearings.
Selectmen Chair Kevin DiMarzio read a statement saying the commission members could request public hearings, he said those requests were not made.
Responding to a question from Rick Collins of Abington News, DiMarzio said the votes were 5-0 to remove Dombrowski, 4-1 to remove Bowen, and 4-1 to remove Demack-Harding, not Mullen. Selectman Tim Chapin had the “no” votes.
