Chairman resigns in somber session

Citing a perceived lack of support from the Board of Selectmen, longtime Conservation Commission Chairman William Gorman resigned last night, saying he felt that he would not be reappointed if he put himself forward for another term.

Gorman choked up at times as he read his resignation statement, slowly making his way through its initial part.

"After serving for more than 17 years, 13 of which as chairman, and after much deliberation, I have decided not to apply for reappointment to the Conservation Commission," Gorman said.

The resignation is effective June 30. (For the full text of Gorman's statement, see www.dailynewstranscript.com.)

A key factor behind Gorman's resignation was his lingering dissatisfaction with how the selectmen handled reappointments to the Conservation Commission late last year. After televised interviews, selectmen voted on Dec. 18 to reappoint Gorman and then-Vice Chairman Daniel LaPointe to one-year terms to expire this July, and commissioners Jonathan Briggs, David Gorden and Frederick Civian to three-year terms.

Lapointe resigned last month.

"In the most recent appointment process, the vice chairman and I have received one-year appointments out of a possible three," Gorman told the board last night. "Consequently, I feel I would not have the votes should I attempt to offer myself for reappointment."

In January, Gorman blasted the "seemingly arbitrary and capricious removal" of two veteran members, Marylin Beck and William Pardee. Instead, the board appointed new commissioners Julia Healy and Tory Kempt to two-year terms. Gorman also criticized the transparency of the process, and how the vote-taking was done with no discussion.

In an interview shortly before he submitted his resignation yesterday, Gorman referred again to "the votes that took place back at the reappointment process with really no public dialogue. To arrive at the votes as easily as they seem to have done, made me think that this is probably not going to happen this time."

Gorman said he and LaPointe did not want to be voted off the commission, "so we decided to take a leave on our own terms."

And, Gorman added, "17 years is a long time to be a volunteer for something."

Gorman delivered his resignation before a full, silent conference room at Town Hall, as selectmen listened somberly.

Gorman expressed great pride in the commission's work over the past 17 years, and in having been "a part of writing some of the strongest local regulations and storm water policies - both of which have been used as models for other conservation commissions across the state."

Gorman also listed specific accomplishments, saying, for example, that because of the Conservation Commission "the developer of the JPI Apartments had to restore over 40,000 square feet of degraded wetland area."

"There were hundreds of applications filed, hundreds of approvals given, numbers of denials, and never a challenge that any developer won in court," Gorman declared.

"I know there will be a life after 17 years on the Conservation Commission, and I don't know ... the life hereafter might be a run for the Board of Selectmen," he added lightheartedly. He was applauded by the crowd then, and a moment later as he wrapped up. (Many school leaders and others attended the selectmen's meeting for a discussion on the new Avery School in East Dedham.)

Later in the meeting, selectmen Chairman Michael Butler said, "We do appreciate and recognize the vital role played by the Conservation Commission."

Butler said applications will be accepted between July 1-10 for the commission's two vacancies.

After the selectmen's meeting finally ended at about 10 p.m., Butler said that Gorman had called him Wednesday to say he was resigning.

PDF: Read Gorman's letter

"Bill did a wonderful job - 17 years the town's been well-served by Bill's effort and leadership on the ConCom," Butler said.

With the Conservation Commission's two leaders having just resigned, Butler agreed there is much work to do to improve the relationship and communication between the two boards.

"We started. We're making a pretty focused effort to meet more regularly with the Conservation Commission, and we hope over the summertime to be able to name some new appointees, and come to agreement on what our objectives should be for better communication," he said.

Daily News staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.