Veteran of Massena school board to fill seat left empty by resignation

MASSENA — A veteran member will return for one more year on the Massena Central School board, after another resigned earlier this month.

Andrew Soutar, who has been on the board for a decade, was appointed to fill the seat recently vacated by William B. Sommerfield.

When his term ended in May, Mr. Soutar decided not to run for re-election.

One of the candidates for the three open seats this year, Antonette M. Fiacco-Price, questioned the decision. Ms. Fiacco-Price received the fourth-highest number of votes, only 14 votes shy of the third most popular candidate, Cristen Halladay.

"While this makes sense to Madame President (of the board, Julie R. Reagan), I still question why he did not come forward and go through the election process," Ms. Fiacco-Price said. "The question is, did you use the voice of the voters or did you use your power to make another appointment?"

In December, the board appointed Kevin F. Perretta to fill the seat vacated by Andrew S. Szarka.

Ms. Fiacco-Price said that as an active member of the community — she has worked with St. Vincent de Paul Society and Renewal House, a charity that works with victims of domestic violence — and a senior citizen, she would be an asset to the board and wanted to take the vacated seat.

After a resignation, the school board has three options: It can appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the next election, hold a special election or leave the seat vacant. Holding a special election is expensive, according to Mrs. Reagan. If the seat is left vacant, the board would have an even number of members, which could result in a tie vote.

"Andrew is a veteran of this board and we've got a lot of new board members coming in. When Trustee Sommerfield resigned, it left a void with veteran board members," Mrs. Reagan said. "In discussions with the board, it was a natural choice. It allows a seamless transition."

Mr. Sommerfield resigned over a disagreement about how Superintendent Roger B. Clough II was appointed. Mr. Sommerfield said there was not enough transparency in his hiring process.

"Since you have been elected to public office, public scrutiny always follows," Ms. Fiacco-Price said. "Though I was confident of what the outcome would be, I still felt that I had to stand up and be counted."