Essex Edition: FinCom Appointment Drama, Septic Loans, Chebacco Blooms

This week, there is much to report in Essex, with breakouts (a cheeky septic system reference) with a Board of Selectmen’s vote to fill a vacant Finance Committee seat, a low interest loan to remediate septic systems, and a call to steer clear of a potentially toxic algae bloom at Chebacco Lake.  Let’s get started …

It was a fast-paced back-and-forth between Cameron, her fellow BOS members, and FinCom Chair Jody Harris, and the exchange felt like a ping pong match.

Reading prepared remarks, Cameron called the FinCom’s process for filling vacant seats “inconsistent and opaque.”  She said it lacked in fairness and transparency, particularly in its handling of resident Brian Gressler, who has repeatedly expressed interest in serving on the FinCom and has been, she said, ignored or passed over for his support of the ME Regional School District.

According to Cameron, the FinCom’s recommendation of Pereen to a recently vacated seat followed no interviews, no candidate questions, no outreach to known applicants, and was rushed.  She emphasized the contrast with the FinCom’s structured interview process used just months earlier when Gressler sought to fill an open seat.  Jody Harris disagreed.

Background on this issue can be found in May’s Annual Town Meeting, when a citizen petition article shifting the authority to appoint Finance Committee members from the committee itself to the Town Moderator, mirroring the practice of more than 100 other Massachusetts towns.  The article—which was brought to voters by none other than Brian Gressler—was approved, and the bylaw is currently awaiting final approval by the Massachusetts Attorney General.

On Monday, Cameron argued that the spirit of the bylaw change should have been honored by the Finance Committee, and it should be honored by the BOS.

Jody Harris disagreed with Cameron’s characterization.  She told the BOS the process to fill open seats hasn’t changed, that it’s both transparent and fair, and said the FinCom moved quickly only after receiving an email from Cameron urging action.  She said when the board received the letter of interest from Pereen—known during her two-term tenure on the BOS for her zealous attention to the business of all boards, from ConCom to FinCom to the ME School Committee—they “jumped at the chance” to add such a seasoned representative to its ranks.

Cameron fired back that the timing doesn’t support Harris’ account.  She said Pereen—an incumbent whom Cameron unseated in May 12’s election with 60% of the vote—submitted her letter to the FinCom on May 17, just weeks after the bylaw was passed at May’s ATM and just days after her election loss.  Last Wednesday, Mark Renzi resigned from the FinCom by email.  Five days later, Jody Harris was before the BOS seeking approval to replace Renzi with Ruth Pereen.

“We have a decision to make about whether this process was consistent, open, transparent, and fair,” Cameron said.  “I don’t believe it was.”

For her part, Harris said that Renzi had verbally submitted his resignation back in early June, prompting the board to immediately set its eyes on Pereen, an “outstanding candidate.”

What’s behind all this is the assumption that school spending is viewed as irresponsible.  As a result, appointing someone like Brian Gressler, a strident school district supporter, would erode the FinCom’s slate of what Essex BOS Chair Alva Ingaharro on Monday called “fiscally responsible” members. 

That idea has informed the posture of both the BOS and the  FinCom, especially in the face of this year’s successful Proposition 2½ override vote, which, in the run up to Town Meeting, was placed squarely at the feet of the MERSD FY26 Budget, even though 51% of override funds went to MERSD while the remaining 49% funded shortfalls of myriad other Essex departments. 

In the end, Cameron’s concerns echo broader issues.  According to the MA Division of Local Services guidance, the Town Moderator—rather than the Finance Committee itself or the Select Board—is the recommended way to appoint FinCom members to preserve impartiality and reduce conflicts of interest.  Voters agreed when they approved the new bylaw.

But, then, there’s the issue of whether boards such as the BOS or the FinCom should—even if they’re not legally required to—respect voters.  In this case, the BOS could have voted to postpone any FinCom appointments until the new bylaw is approved by the AG.  If Pereen were then appointed by the Town Moderator, no one could complain about a lapse in the appropriate process.

That was not the case on Monday.  Ruth Pereen was approved to fill the vacant seat by a 2-1 BOS vote.

The funding is part of a larger $33.5 million package approved this month by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.  Administered in partnership with the MA Dept. of Environmental Protection, the program provides financial assistance to cities and towns to help repair or replace failing septic systems, which is an ongoing concern for coastal and rural communities like Essex.  (Just look up “septic” and “Cape Cod” to get a sense of the challenges.)

Essex is one of three communities to receive funding under this program, along with Bellingham and Scituate.  The loan, which carries a two percent interest rate, will support the town’s efforts to maintain environmental and public health standards through targeted septic system upgrades.

No confirmed blooms have been found elsewhere, and sightings remain isolated.

The algae was first spotted by lake consultant Hillary Kenyon and visually identified, though no water samples have yet been tested for toxicity.  Cyanobacteria can produce harmful toxins that pose health risks to both humans and pets.  Still, without test results, CLWA says decisions about entering the water are up to individual discretion.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines recommend issuing a formal health advisory when a cyanobacteria mat or scum is visible, or when lab tests confirm high cell or toxin levels.  At this early stage, however, no such advisory has been issued.

CLWA is coordinating with the Boards of Health in Hamilton and Essex, both of which share jurisdiction over the lake, and emphasized that monitoring is typically a joint effort among towns, BOHs, and lake associations.

The Essex BOH specifically oversees the public swimming area at Centennial Grove. Residents are encouraged to monitor the water visually, use basic tests (like the “stick” or “jar” method), and report suspected blooms with a photo to admin@chebaccolake.org.

While most lake algae is harmless, CLWA cautions that once a harmful bloom forms, there is no treatment—only time and continued monitoring.