The Board of Selectmen has a new chairman. By unanimous vote at the tail end of a long Tuesday night meeting, the board elected Stu Sklar to lead it through the coming year, with Lucy Wallace as vice chairman and Ron Ricci as clerk.
Former chairwoman Marie Sobalvarro, who has been widely commended for her steady leadership this year, relinquished her position with a few graceful remarks and an empathetic smile for her successor.
“It’s been wonderful serving as chair this past year,” she said, noting that it had been “long and contentious.”
Sobalvarro said that having watched Sklar serve “as an able an adept” chairman of the School Committee, she wished to nominate him to succeed her. Selectman Ricci seconded the motion, but quipped that Sklar hadn’t campaigned to win his vote.
“No sign holding,” said Sobalvarro.
“But you [already] seconded the motion,” noted Wallace.
“He has my vote if he can run meetings as quickly and efficiently as Marie has,” answered Ricci.
“We’ve already voted,” noted Selectman Leo Blair.
