Tonight, in a joint meeting between the School Committee and Select Board, Kyla McSweeney was chosen to serve the remainder of Adam Munroe’s term on School Committee. McSweeney faced former two-term Select Board member Brendan Tedstone.
The vote was 5-4, and split along party lines, such that they still exist in Hopkinton. Former Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee member Shahidul Mannan joined current HDTC members Amy Ritterbusch, Jamie Wronka, Susan Stephenson, and Mary Jo Lafreniere, who spoke last and cast the deciding vote in favor of McSweeney. Select Board Chair Brian Herr, School Committee Chair Nancy Richards-Cavanaugh, Joe Clark, and Chris Masters all supported Tedstone.
For the past two weeks, both Mannan and Lafreniere have been heavily pressured by HDTC members to support McSweeney. Lafreniere, who is the Democratic State Committee Woman for Middlesex & Norfolk District, has reportedly been accused by members of her party of racism for voting for Brian Herr for Chair of the Select Board over Mr. Mannan on May 21.
>> RELATED: DTC Launches Campaign to Push McSweeney for School Committee
During public comment, chair of the HDTC Amy Groves urged the board to vote in favor of McSweeney, as did HDTC Secretary Peter Mimmo. In May, both Mimmo and McSweeney lost their bids for Select Board by a large margin to Herr and Clark.
Both McSweeney and Tedstone were asked a series of questions by the assembled body. Following the interview period, members of the School Committee and Select Board then indicated which candidate they supported.
“As members of the School Committee and Select Board, we were represented to serve the interest of the town,” said Chris Masters. “Twice the town has spoken and overwhelmingly voted in Brendan Tedstone. In a crowded field of four people he had the most votes both times. We have two very qualified candidates, but for me, Mr. Tedstone is the only one who has received overwhelming support from the town.”
“I don’t want to drag this out much longer,” said Amy Ritterbusch. “My vote tonight would go for Kyla.” Unlike the other members, Ritterbusch did not elaborate on her thought process.
“One of things I like to see on boards and committees is a diversity of backgrounds and opinions,” said Joe Clark. “Outside of Nancy, I don’t see a ton of experience negotiating on behalf of the town. Looking at this labor negotiation coming up, I think it would be very helpful to have someone that’s been in a position to negotiate on behalf of this town before, and that’s why I would vote for Brendan tonight.”
Brian Herr added: “If this was not a contract negotiation year…my vote would be for Kyla. As a generalist I think she’d be a great fit. Given that it is a contract negotiation year, given that I have sat with Mr. Tedstone and dealt with negotiations, I support him for this 8-9 month gig.”
“I am also preferring Kyla tonight,” said Jamie Wronka. “I think the resume and consistent integrity through a difficult process of the last election, plus the legal expertise, is quite valuable. I appreciate you both for coming forward.”
After being sworn in by the Town Clerk, McSweeney will join the School Committee until the May 2025 election.
Why is hopnews not disclosing it’s own political preferences when writing articles like this? If Peter Thomas is going to write op eds expressly arguing for the appointment of Brendan Tedstone, he should maybe disclose that when also writing articles that try to throw out negative connotations and insinuations to those who argue in favor of other candidates for office? It does not exactly seem fair to give all these labels and insinuations to the HDTC, and wave off the opinions of it’s members and supporters as inauthentic, while also yourself hiding behind bylines like “Hopnews Staff” and talking out the side of your mouth with your own views. You are free to your viewpoint, but please don’t pretend that this sort of coverage somehow exists free of that.
Thank you for your comment. Will you please elaborate on the “labels and insinuations” comment? The article, as reported above, is factual and contains direct quotes from the speakers. Further, the HDTC did in fact initiate a campaign to urge its members to write letters and speak in support of their chosen candidate. We’re genuinely curious about your perception of bias in this reporting.
I think it’s a little one sided to repeatedly cast aspersions and write articles about any time the town democrats organize politically or urge others to vote or voice their opinions, while yourself doing that gets basically no critical coverage. Kayla Mcsweeney actually never publicly campaigned for this position, but volunteered. Brendan Tedstone made a public announcement for this position and has the express backing of HopNews. Why is this a HDTC “flex”? Why is Amy Groves and Peter Mimmo’s party affiliation as members of the public speaking front and center, but Brian Herr’s (our town’s arch republican if there ever was one who has twice sought federal office as one) has gone basically unmentioned in the months since he began reseeking town office. Why does this article about the school board vote center entirely around the HDTC, but make no mention of the interview or the candidate’s answers. The section about Mary Jo being pressured by fellow party members over the Chair vote is probably relevant in a wider context, but what is it’s relevance to this vote or this article? This is especially egregious when HopNews has expressly endorsed the other candidate. That needs to be disclosed if you are going to write articles about this, plain and simple.
Last year, the town voted to eliminate partisan elections. That the HDTC continues to operate as if that didn’t happen makes their actions newsworthy. By contrast, the HRTC organizes parades, not votes.
Both Kyla (not Kayla) McSweeney and Brendan Tedstone volunteered. The article doesn’t mention the interviews or their answers because they were not significantly different and candidly, boring.
The “flex” is that this vote was decided before the meeting started. It was straight down the party line. That happened because the HDTC organized its members, specifically those that serve on SB and SC. Nothing was learned tonight and no member made up their mind based on the interview. That makes the entire process performative and a foregone conclusion.
Mr. Herr very publicly resigned from the Republican Party during Mr. Trump’s term in office. His former party affiliation is irrelevant.
HopNews did not endorse Tedstone; Peter Thomas published an opinion piece based on Tedstone’s strong experience in budgeting and contract negotiations, a point also emphasized by several members of the panel tonight.
Thank you for saying what we all have also noticed. This site leans so far right it’s ridiculous. The town’s volunteer positions has no party affiliation now right? Then why does this outlet only go after the Dems and what they do? The R in town wouldn’t have asked for support for Tedstone because he’s an Independent right? Peter Thomas you and this outlet lean so right and it’s so obvious to us all.
There’s an upside down Colonial Flag on Wood Street Ala Alito’s wife. Where’s your article on that? If it hung outside a D’s house you’d be all over it.
Beth,
I’ve come to understand the positioning of HopNews when it comes to town politics. For me, it’s important to understand how different individuals process the same information.
The truth is always in the margins. Objective truth is a fiction that we tell ourselves to try and make sense of the chaos of reality. 🙂
The HDTC has persistently disregarded the town’s decision to eliminate partisan elections last year. Despite the revelation that the HDTC Chair attacked an independent candidate under aliases last year, there was no formal apology. Instead of seizing the opportunity to reform and redirect its course, the HDTC has entrenched itself further, exploiting the Town of Hopkinton. They have employed intimidation, bullying, whisper campaigns, and leveraged their partisan sway. Consequently, the HDTC is losing members at an alarming rate. Yesterday’s School Committee meeting saw the HDTC continuing to exert influence over a committee that ideally should remain nonpartisan. It is notable that only HDTC members supported Kyla, although she vehemently denied any influence from the HDTC.
Tedstone also denied any influence from the HDTC. However, didn’t say anything about the HRTC.
Even if the Republican Town Committee isn’t publicly working towards candidates, they _are_ working in the background.
Both sides are still active. Both sides are working for their own objective.
It could be possible to remove the ‘party’ system, but I don’t think most would agree with Vermin Supreme and Lord Buckethead.
The town decided to take the R, D, and Independent off our ballots. That and no caucuses? I do not remember the part that said parties can’t encourage people to run or support them when they do.
Read the article that still has NOT taken effect. No caucus and no printed I, R or D after candidates names. That is all it said. Did not say the parties can’t ask for support for a candidate.
An act relative to Town elections in the Town of Hopkinton
Section 1. Notwithstanding chapter 53 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, a primary or caucus for the nomination of town officers shall not be held in the Town of Hopkinton. Ballots used at a regular or special town election for the election of town officers shall not have printed thereon a party or political designation or mark, and there shall not be any political designation or mark appended to the name of a candidate for town office.
Section 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Anonymous you clearly have no backbone. I’ve always said if you have a business and don’t put your name on it or your vehicles. You are ashamed or have something to hide. The good people of the town of hopkinton have voted to remove the D and the R from town politics. Brian & Joe embraced that running as Independent. It’s time to bury party’s in town business and work to keep hopkinton a great place to live and raise a family
Looking forward to a HopTake with the Scanman. I’m sure he has a thought or two to share.
I had not made up my mind before the appointment process. I thought that McSweeny had a great background, however, I thought that Tedstone’s fiscally conservative stance might be a benefit going into the next year.
After watching the interview process play out, I think that McSweeny fits what the School Committee needs to replace Monroe. She brings the diverse education background to the school committee that Tedstone does not have. Additionally, Tedstone answered a bunch of the questions kinda poorly. I don’t want to explicitly call things out, but “I’ve been in Hopkinton my entire life” and commenting on “bad people” within the criminal justice system doesn’t get you a job.
I wish that the other two might have been available. It could have been interesting to hear from a different perspective and someone who hasn’t been so involved with Hopkinton politics previously.
Hey anonymous person, why don’t you disclose your name? How can you be taken serious if you won’t even own your comments? No cowards throwing bombs onto the field from the cheap seats!
Respectfully,
Don Collins
Teresa Road
Don –
I am not a public figure nor do I want to be. I am taking the anonymity that I want. If you don’t want to listen, don’t.
Anonymous speech is an important part of a free democracy. If you don’t agree with that, you should explore what liberty means to you.
If you have any specific concerns, you can state them. Otherwise, you know where you can stick your opinion.
Thanks!
Antifa cowards wear masks.
Not implying there are Antifa posters here.
Proud ‘Boys’ wear polos and khakis.
I know what I would rather wear.
Lee, they were in attendance if you watch the meeting on YouTube
As I asked on yesterday’s article (DTC LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO PUSH MCSWEENEY FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE), how is it racist for Mary Jo Lafreniere to have cast her vote for Brain Herr?! Just because she as a white person voted for another white person instead of a person of color? So if a person of color voted for a white person would that make the person of color racist? Just ridiculous. Are we not able in this country to freely vote for whomever we wish without fear of retaliation or harassment?
I disagree with the comments towards Mary Jo.
However, there is accountability when you vote for someone. If you publicly vote for someone, you need to take accountability for it. Mary Jo publicly voted for Herr and is accountable for that vote.
Doesn’t look to me as if the legislature has passed the Hopkinton Home Rule petition calling for banning of caucuses, party nominations & party affiliation identified on ballots for local elections yet. Also, I don’t see anywhere in the language of the petition which calls for the dissolution of political parties neither do I see anywhere where it says there can be no political organizing, which of course would be a violation of citizens’ 1st Amendment rights.