As a frequent observer of the dysfunctional Charlestown Town Council and the shameful behavior of the town administrator, I thought I had become immune to the chaos. But what I witnessed at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting truly hit a new low. Mr. Mageau continued to demonstrate how completely inept he is in a “leadership” position. Mr. Barrett, looking like a deer in the headlights when confronted, offered up no explanation on how he obtained a copy of a personal e-mail exchange between a town employee and Kate Waterman which he subsequently distributed in a misguided and failed effort to embarrass Kate Waterman.
That left everyone in that room to assume that Kate Waterman was right. Mr. Barrett believes that he has the right, as town administrator, to monitor all e-mail communications within the Town Hall. What’s next, tapping employee’s phone lines?

In a prepared statement, Mr. Slattery pleaded with Mr. Craig as the “swing vote” to be the voice of reason and restore civility and credibility to the Town of Charlestown. It doesn’t seem to matter how aligned you believe you are to Mr. Mageau. Mr. Mageau’s vicious verbal assault of Mr. Craig during the meeting – as well as his subsequent ridicule of Mr. Craig outside Town Hall once Mr. Craig left the premises – left many residents who witnessed his wrath in shocked and total disbelief. Mr. Mageau proved once again that he wouldn’t hesitate to turn on anyone who dares to disagree with him. Mr. Craig, we look to you to help us out of this disgraceful and embarrassing quagmire.

Joan Lawlor