No More Handpicking Replacements, Says Proposed Rule Changes for Aldermen

The Somerville Board of Aldermen is drafting new methods for filling vacancies on the Board in the event a member resigns.

The issue has been in the public's eye with the recent resignations of two aldermen: William Roche (Ward 1) and Sean O'Donovan (Ward 5).

In both cases, the women those aldermen handpicked to replace them, Maureen Bastardi and Courtney O'Keefe, had their nominations quickly approved by the Board. Bastardi was voted onto the Board of Aldermen the same night Roche resigned, and O'Keefe was voted onto the Board of Alderman at the Board's subsequent meeting.

Some background

If an alderman resigns with more than a year before the next election, the city holds a special election to fill the vacancy.

When an alderman resigns with less than a year until the next election, the custom has been for the Board of Aldermen to approve whomever the resigning alderman appoints as his replacement.

When O'Donovan resigned, some defended that practice.

Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane said at the time that "any other way to handle this"—other than to approve O'Donovan's appointed successor immediately—"would be a slap in the face."

But other aldermen thought it would be appropriate to review the custom of handpicking replacements.

"I don't like appointments. I've worked very very hard over a period of 10 years to get elected," said Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente.

Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz said she had proposed a review of the process when Roche resigned, but the Board hadn't, at that time, conducted a review.

Aldermen pointed to the Somerville School Committee, which conducted a selection process to replace Bastardi, who served on the School Committee before being appointed to the Board of Aldermen.

The School Committee process took around three months, and during that time Ward 1 didn't have a representative on the committee, something many aldermen found unacceptable. Supporters of the School Committee's process, in which the committee sought nominations and interviewed candidates, said it was open and transparent. Detractors pointed out voters of Ward 1 had no say in the matter.

Meanwhile, some members of the public objected to the practice of aldermen handpicking replacements.

Paula Woolley wrote an opinion on Somerville Patch calling for a more open process.

A number of residents signed a petition, which they delivered to City Hall on May 2, calling for a public hearing on the matter.

Proposed changes

At a subcommittee meeting held Tuesday, aldermen discussed changes to the city charter and to the Board's internal rules that would address the way the Board of Aldermen fills vacancies.

Changes to the city charter require approval from the Massachusetts legislature and, therefore, would take more time to enact. The proposed city charter changes would do the following:

• Outgoing aldermen would be replaced by the highest-finishing runner up from the previous election, provided he or she received at least 40 percent of the votes and is willing to serve.
• For ward aldermen, if there's no qualifying or willing runner up, the ward's School Committee member would become the ward's alderman.
• If there are still no qualifying or willing candidates, the Board of Aldermen would select and vote for a replacement.

The Board of Aldermen is also considering an internal rules change that would outline how they select and vote for replacements. The rules change would take less time to enact, and could be approved by the end of May:

• Notice would be given in a local newspaper for at least two weeks.
• Individuals interested in filling the vacant position would contact the city clerk.
• All applicants would have the opportunity to address the Board of Aldermen.
• The Board of Aldermen would vote, and the first candidate to receive six votes would win.

Upcoming public hearing

A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Lee Palmer, one of the residents who called for a public hearing, said, "It's exciting that they're taking this issue seriously" and "it's encouraging that they want to hear from the public" about the matter.

"I think they're being very responsive," she said.

She added, "My number one priority is to dissuade aldermen from resigning early."