“… [W]e all have Arlington’s best interests in mind.”
— Steve Byrne
UPDATED, Nov. 26: Steven M. Byrne, a selectman since 2012, plans to resign his seat in December, citing the workload from his current day job and the impact on his recent marriage.
There is “only so much time in the day,” the 29-year-old who is vice president at Beacon Strategies Group told selectmen Monday, Nov. 20. “I love being on this board.”
In response to a request from YourArlington, Selectman Joseph A. Curro Jr. wrote Saturday, Nov. 25, that Byrne’s last meeting will be Dec. 4. “My understanding is that he plans to have his resignation take effect sometime before our Dec. 18 meeting.
“My intention is to discuss a process for filling the vacancy as the last item on the agenda on the 4th, with an eye toward making the appointment at our first meeting in January.”
Arlington’s Town Manager Act (Section 3) says that the remaining four members of the Board of Selectmen plus the town moderator, who is John Leone, have 30 days from the date the seat becomes vacant to appoint a replacement, who will serve until the April Town Election. The decision must be by a majority vote. Under the act, the selection must be made 30 days after Byrne leaves the seat.
“I’ve enjoyed working with all of you,” Byrne told the board Nov. 20. “I’ll still be around.”
Curro thanked Byrne for his service to the board.
Tied to ethics plea? Byrne says no
Does Byrne’s unexpected announcement related to an ethics complaint filed by town resident Chris Loreti? Those involved have been asked. Byrne commented Nov. 21: “Mr. Loreti’s actions had no impact on this personal decision.”
In October, Loreti requested selectmen to devise a bylaw to keep Arlington officials from working as lobbyists while they hold office in town. Without naming him, Loreti was referring to Byrne, who holds a top job with Beacon Strategies, a lobbying firm.
He said he had filed a complaint about the matter with the state Ethics Commission. He declined at the time to provide a copy to YourArlington.
Loreti said a state legislator or federal congressperson working as a lobbyist while they are in office is unheard of. If it does not happen at the federal or state level, it shouldn’t happen locally, he said.
He said Beacon Strategies Group represents the Massachusetts Patient Foundation, the Newton-based company that plans to open a medical-marijuana office on Water Street next summer. He said selectmen “bent over backward for applicants.”
Votes on the proposed Water Street office occurred before Byrne worked for Beacon Strategies, which began last July.
On Nov. 21, Loreti wrote that he has not heard from the Ethics Commission. Its website says the Commission’s Enforcement Division notifies a complainant after it has completed its review. “If the Commission publicly resolves any of the allegations in your complaint, you will receive a copy of the public finding or decision,” the site says.
Lengthy statement of thanks
Asked to comment further about his decision to leave, Byrne wrote to YourArlington Nov. 21: “Anyone who has sat in one of those five chairs in the Board of Selectmen hearing room will tell you that it is an honor and privilege to have done so. Over the past five and a half years I have had the opportunity to work with and get to know our tremendous town staff and hundreds of volunteers who are committed to making Arlington a better place.
“I have enjoyed and will miss debating with my colleagues on Monday nights. While we do not always agree, I know that we all have Arlington’s best interests in mind.
“Some of my earliest memories are spending time with Marie Krepelka in the Inspectional Services Department when my Grandfather [Donald] worked there. I grew up in Arlington and it has been an absolute pleasure to give back to the community that has given so much to me.
“Finally, I want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who takes time out of their busy schedules to volunteer on a committee or coach a youth sports team. Thank you to our State Senator and State Representatives for working so hard in the State House on our behalf. Thank you to all town employees, whose jobs are so difficult yet, in many cases, do not receive the recognition they deserve.
“Last but not least, I could not have done this without my family and friends. I am so grateful for the support I have received from my wife, Jacqueline, my parents, and my brother.”
In April 2014, then 26, Byrne, became the youngest chairman of the selectmen. He was 24 when he was elected.
Oct. 17, 2017: Resident seeks bylaw to keep selectmen from working as lobbyist
This story was first published Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. It was updated Nov. 24, to clarify when an appointment is made, as well as.Nov. 26, to correct when Byrne is expected to resign.
