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FILED UNDER: “Only In Sudbury”
After interviews with three candidates, Cynthia Howe was appointed to the Sudbury Housing Authority (SHA) on Tuesday, June 30. The vote was a joint vote by the Select Board and SHA.
Lengthy interviews of each candidate preceded the vote. Deliberation was comparatively brief, but got testy, because… Sudbury.
An initial motion to appoint applicant Alicia Carrillo, made by Select Board member Dan Carty, was voted down. There was no discussion. The motion failed with two in favor and seven opposed.
An ensuing motion to appoint Howe was made by SHA member Sherrill Cline.
During deliberation Select Board Member Russo provided his rationale for supporting Carrillo, and provided feedback to the SHA, describing the definition of fanaticism and encouraging introspection regarding the friction around their work in recent years. Amidst Russo’s remarks, SHA Chair Tania Vitvitsky was unmuted and appeared to say “Jesus Christ” under her breath. (2:20:40) Russo called out the interruption. “Appreciate the commentary in the background there.” He continued on with his comments, calling for compromise and reduced friction.
Sherrill Cline, from the SHA, emphasized that Howe brought a bit of everything the other candidates offered to the SHA. She noted that Howe was a resident of the Pine Lakes neighborhood like Carrillo, providing hyper-local perspective on the SHA’s proposed duplexes in the area. Cline also noted Howe’s exhaustive experience in public housing and property management, as well as her experience serving in Town government. Notably, Howe had already voiced that she hadn’t made up her mind on the current Pine Lakes proposal, and Cline emphasized that as she wrapped up her remarks.
During deliberation Member Carty offered his thoughts on what appeared to be the direction the group was headed — to appoint Howe. Carty explained his position on Howe, acknowledging her experience and adding “I heard Needham in there, and I think I heard Medford. I don’t want either of what’s going on with zoning and building in Needham or Medford here in Sudbury.” The apparent swipe at an applicant’s professional career slipped past the group due to another interruption. As Carty was speaking, Vitvitsky could be heard saying “Jesus Christ” again.
Carty responded to admonish Vitvitsky for the interruption. Vitvitsky admitted to having made the comment. Carty eventually told Vitvitsky “And I can be nasty too, if you want me to be.”
Carty called for new voices, cited that the SHA didn’t have questions for Carrillo, claiming that was “odd,” and criticized Select Board Chair Janie Dretler for not maintaining control of the panelists in the meeting.
Dretler defended herself, claiming Carty had jumped in too quickly to respond to Vitvitsky, which she argued didn’t leave her a chance to intervene.
Howe’s application indicated that she has worked for over three decades in public and private housing. She has professionally served as the executive director of multiple housing authorities in Massachusetts, and previously served on the Sudbury Housing Trust.
Carty was the lone “no” vote when the time came. Russo voted yes, explaining that he was hopeful Howe could offer a new perspective to the SHA.
Howe was appointed by a vote of eight to one.