Two Wenham Selectmen Resign Amid Discrimination Complaint

WENHAM, MA — Wenham is down to just one selectman on its board after two selectmen resigned on Tuesday.

Selectmen John Clemenzi and Jack Wilhelm both stepped down on Tuesday night, following a discrimination complaint against the town and Clemenzi and calls for resignation. Chairman Gary Cheeseman is the only selectman left on the board. He issued a statement on Wednesday reassuring residents that town government functions will carry-on as usual.

"I, as the remaining Selectman, along with Interim Town Administrator Thomas Younger have already consulted with Town Counsel on a path forward to our Annual Town Meeting and the need for a Special Town Election. Additional announcements regarding the Special Town Election will be made shortly," the statement reads.

A discrimination complaint was filed in December by a town employee against Clemenzi and the town. The complaint names Wilhelm as well. The employee accused Clemenzi of sending a "sexual harassing" text message, which Clemenzi has admitted to sending. The complaint claims the town failed to take action and that the employee faced retaliation.

Clemenzi was also publicly accused of sexual harassment by Carrie Jelsma, the vice chair of the Finance Committee, during a meeting earlier this month. Jelsma detailed an interaction with Clemenzi where she said he "caressed the base of my spine, leaned in, kissed my cheek, and sarcastically asked me what I thought of the Me Too movement," she said during the meeting before calling on him to step down.

A petition was started last week on Change.org to have Clemenzi step down.

"John Clemenzi admitted to the behavior that led to a sexual harassment claim by a Town employee, and yet one year later he continues to hold office and litigation drags on as a second woman has come forward with her own experience," the petition reads in part.

Over 300 people have signed the petition.

Clemenzi read a statement on Tuesday during the announcement of his resignation and said, "In order to allow these women and the community to move forward, I have decided to offer my resignation. It has been my great honor to serve this community. I hope the town can move forward at this point."