He also had concerns about the finalists — Michael Gilleberto living in town and Thomas Durkin working for the MWRA. If there were a third candidate, Yull said, he could have voted for that person.
Selectman Joe Foti, who said he was taken aback by Yull’s abstention, remarked that Gilleberto’s North Reading address shouldn’t work against him and Durkin’s working for the MWRA wouldn’t be a disadvantage if North Reading ultimately decided to get its water from the MWRA.
The selectmen had voted to delay the finalist interviews and selection until after the election so that the new selectman could take part and vote on the next town administrator. The two candidates for selectman (Yull and Bill Smith) asked that the board wait until a new member was elected and Selectman Stephen O’Leary also argued for the delay.
A majority of the selectmen was initially against a delay, but the selectmen – led by then-Selectmen Chairman Sean Delaney – ultimately decided to wait until after the election.
Having Yull then abstain on Wednesday did not sit well with board members.
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Selectman Michael Prisco said Yull owed it to those who voted for him to make a decision. O’Leary said he too had concerns about the process, but he’s gotten over it. He strongly suggested that Yull weigh the two finalists and make a decision.
Yull thanked them for their thoughts, but still decided to abstain.
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