READ: Mayor Galvin's Letter To Library Trustee Rabbitt

WOBURN, MA — Mayor Scott Galvin sent a letter to Janet Rabbitt removing her from the Woburn Public Library Board of Trustees Wednesday, citing her actions as president at a recent Board meeting and his authority as mayor.

Patch obtained a copy of the letter, which is available below.

At the Jan. 19 meeting in question, which Galvin previously called "appalling," discussions over a pair of Open Meeting Law complaint devolved into complaints from two trustees that they had been left out of recent meetings by Rabbitt.

"You acknowledged your failure to notify two of your fellow Trustees and Corporation members of an October 2, 2020 meeting," Galvin wrote. "It is unconscionable and unacceptable for you to deliberately leave certain Trustees out of the decision-making process because they might not agree with your position, or because you anticipate that they might vote against your position."

Galvin cited Section 23 of the city charter as his authority to remove Rabbitt.

It reads, in part: "The Mayor shall have sole power of appointment to all the municipal officers established by or under this Act, unless herein otherwise provided; and he may remove from office by written order any officer so appointed hereunder, for any cause which he shall in his official discretion deem sufficient, which cause he shall assign in his order of removal."

Rabbitt said Saturday that she believed Galvin's actions are illegal and that she had retained legal counsel to fight it. She said she could comment further as it is an ongoing legal matter.

As noted in Galvin's letter, the acrimony at the recent meeting traces to a labor battle over the summer, with the library threatening layoffs. A public campaign began against the library's director, Bonnie Roalsen, who had the backing of the majority of the trustees.

The two members excluded from the Oct. meeting, Joanne McNamee and Richard Mahoney, supported the campaign and called for more transparency from the library administration.

Both the mayor's move to remove Rabbitt and legislation he has put forward to end lifetime appointments to the Board of Trustees are on the agenda for Tuesday's remote City Council meeting.

The trustees' "Annual Meeting of the Corporation" is scheduled for Wednesday with election of officers the only item on the agenda.

The following letter was obtained from the Woburn City Clerk's Office:

Dear Ms. Rabbitt:

You are hereby notified that in accordance with Section 23 of the Charter of the City of Woburn, I am removing you from your position as a Trustee of the Woburn Public Library (WPL) and member of the WPL Corporation effective immediately. My decision to remove you is based upon the Trustees' January 19, 2021 meeting whereat two Open Meeting Law ("OML") complaints were discussed, and over which you presided as President. During the Trustees' discussion of the second OML complaint, you acknowledged your failure to notify two of your fellow Trustees and Corporation members of an October 2, 2020 meeting the subject of the OML complaint) whereat a vote was taken to retain a public relations firm. When Trustee McNamee asked why she was not notified of the meeting, you informed her that she wasn't available” and that you knew she wasn't available".

When Trustee Mahoney asked why he was not notified of the October 2, 2020 meeting, you responded “Richard you would have voted against it [hiring the public relations firm] so what was the sense”. Further discussion at the January 19, 2020 meeting makes it apparent that neither Trustee McNamee nor Mahoney were aware that an attorney had been retained to provide assistance to the Trustees with respect to its status as a corporation or the cost thereof.

The City’s investment in the WPL cannot be understated and all Trustees are expected to participate in decisions affecting the operation and maintenance of the WPL. I am keenly aware of the ongoing differences of opinion between and among the Trustees with respect to community sentiment towards the current Library Director. Such differences of opinion are to be expected. However, it is unconscionable and unacceptable for you to deliberately leave certain Trustees out of the decision making process because they might not agree with your position, or because you anticipate that they might vote against your position.

Be advised that I did not come to this decision without thought or consideration for your more than thirty years of service on the Board of Trustees. Nevertheless, I am compelled to take this action for the good of the City and the WPL.

Sincerely,

Mayor Scott D. Galvin,

January 27, 2021

The above letter was produced by Mayor Scott Galvin. The views expressed are the author's own.