Published in the November 16, 2016 edition
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The decision of one individual to decline her appointment the Bylaw Review Committee has highlighted the need for more volunteers to serve on that group.
After a contentious debate among the selectmen at their Oct. 24 meeting over the appointment of Bronwyn Della-Volpe to the Bylaw Review Committee, followed by a split, 4-2 vote to name her to that committee, Della-Volpe has decided to decline the appointment, “on the advice of counsel.”
Della-Volpe was one of three people who responded to the selectmen’s request for volunteers to serve on the Bylaw Review Committee. The Town Charter calls for a committee to be named to review the town’s bylaws ever five years to see if any revisions are needed.
At their Oct. 24 meeting, several selectmen voiced concerns over appointing of Della-Volpe. The most vocal of which was Brian Falvey, who alleged that Della-Volpe had disseminated misinformation, twisted facts and acted as a “self-appointed watchdog” in her efforts to “undermine” the work of the selectmen and other boards.
“I have a very hard time appointing somebody who I believe doesn’t act in the best interests of the town to any committee,” Falvey said at the time.
Della-Volpe is a long-time activist who has opposed such projects as Shaw’s Supermarket on Water Street and the Brightview Senior Living facility currently under construction in the downtown along with a public parking garage that was proposed as part of the original Brightview project.
Della-Volpe is also president of the “Wakefield Civic League,” a self-styled community watchdog group that purports to seek “greater governmental transparency, accountability, communication and town-wide planning.” The groups has on occasion articulated pointed criticism of town government and town officials.
After her appointment on Oct. 24, Della-Volpe sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen dated Oct. 28, 2016.
“In light of my involvement with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Wakefield Civic League Corp., I am meeting with Counsel this week to discuss the entire matter, and, in particular, the conflict of interest document.”
Della-Volpe was asked to take the same state Conflict of Interest test required of all municipal officials. In addition, all municipal officials must annually sign a summary of the conflict of interest law and file it with the Town Clerk’s Office.
Della-Volpe followed up with a letter to the Board of Selectmen dated Nov. 7, 2016.
“On advice of Counsel,” Della-Volpe wrote, “and after careful consideration, I must decline my appointment to the Bylaw Review Committee.”
Toward the end of Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Counsel Thomas Mullen remarked on the high number of people interested in serving on the Charter Review Committee (10 to date) compared to the apparently low interest in serving on the Bylaw Review Committee.
“I gather that people think that charters are sexy and bylaws are boring,” Mullen quipped. “That’s entirely wrong. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Charter Committee came back and said, ‘No changes are recommended.’ On the other hand our bylaws are a total mess.”
Mullen cited several examples of of omissions and other deficits in the town’s General Bylaws that need to be addressed.
“There are all kinds of opportunities to improve our bylaws,” Mullen said. “That’s where the action’s going to be.”
Mullen will be working closely with the Bylaw Review Committee.
Selectman Phyllis Hull echoed Mullen’s call for applicants to the Bylaw Review Committee.
“The Bylaw Committee is really an important committee,” Hull said, noting that most of the changes to the town code are likely to come out of the Bylaw Review Committee.
Any citizen interested in serving on the Bylaw Review Committee is urged to email a letter of interest and resume to Sherri Dalton at sdalton@wakefield.ma.us, or by mail to the Town Administrator’s Office, One Lafayette St., Wakefield MA 01880.