Mary Byrne
A contentious vote to fill the fifth seat of the Belmont Contributory Retirement Board this week ended where it did a month ago: at an impasse.
Following an hour of public comment and discussion from board members on Tuesday, there was a motion to re-elect incumbent Thomas Gibson. The vote ended in a 2-2 tie, so the seat remained open.
A subsequent motion to appoint Belmont resident Chad Onufrechuk resulted in the same 2-2 outcome. The vote on Tuesday followed a failed attempt at electing one of the two candidates at a meeting on Jan. 16. The decision now lies in the hands of the Select Board, according to Retirement Board Executive Director Ryan Horan.
Residents who spoke during the meeting were about as split as the board itself, with some advocating in favor of Onufrechuk — who they felt would bring investment experience and a fresh perspective to the board — while others sought to retain Gibson’s expertise and knowledge of Mass. General Laws Chapter 32 dealing with the state’s pension and retirement system.
Board member Walter Wellman emphasized the importance of Gibson’s experience and institutional knowledge. He echoed others’ concern for Onufrechuk’s lack of experience with Chapter 32. He added Gibson is a longtime member of the Middlesex County Retirement Board and, as an attorney, has spared the board the need for outside legal advice.
“It’s beyond my understanding how Chad can make a positive impact on the current system and how it’s run,” he said.
Tuccinardi said her vote last month was not a vote against Gibson but a vote for someone offering a fresh perspective. She also emphasized Onufrechuk’s background in investments as a financial planner.
“I think what ‘s important is that we all come together,” she said. “The town is facing financial difficulty. … I think there’s an opportunity for someone to look at this ‘with a fresh set of eyes.”’
Member Brian Antonellis acknowledged the concern residents brought to him about the Select Board ultimately having a say if the Retirement Board failed to come to a consensus. Still, he said nobody had given him a reason to change his vote. Echoing Tuccinardi, he said Onufrechuk would bring a fresh perspective, increased accountability as a new member, and would begin a process toward establishing a succession plan as members move in and out of the role.
Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems President Kathleen Kiely-Becchetti implored the board to vote in favor of Gibson’s experience.
“I believe Attorney Gibson is the most qualified … in the commonwealth,” she said. “I can’t fathom how you could not reappoint.”
A candidate must be appointed within 30 days of the last day of Gibson’s term, which ended Feb. 6.
