Dear Readers:

I write to update you on the status of my swearing-in and taking my seat on the Board of Selectmen, and to explain the process involved.

Late Tuesday night Town Clerk Mary Ann Silva certified the results of the election and sent them to Elizabeth D. Nadzo, Esq., Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Deval Patrick. I thank Clerk Silva for her devotion to her job and for performing this task so quickly.

Today I spoke with Deputy Legal Counsel Nadzo, who informed me that on Wednesday she had forwarded the certified election results to Michelle K. Tassinari, Esq., Legal Counsel to the Elections Division of the Secretary of State's office for approval, and was awaiting the Elections Division's approval before submitting the proposed legislation to Governor Patrick for him to sign and submit to the Legislature.  I then contacted Legal Counsel Tassinari's office and learned that she was out of the office for the day, and left a voice mail for her to contact me Monday morning.

Following legislative approval the legislation will be re-submitted to the Governor for his signature.  Then - and only then - will I be able to be sworn in and take my seat.

The long and short of all this is that it will likely take several more days for these actions to take place, and it is extremely unlikely that the process will be completed in time for Tuesday's Board of Selectmen's meeting.  While I am obviously eager to begin serving the Town as soon as possible, this is the process that must be followed when a seat is vacated too close to an election for normal elections procedures to apply.  Accordingly, I felt obliged to inform you of the steps in the process so that you know what is happening, and also to forestall any speculation that might arise in the absence of this information.

Very truly yours,

Peter W. Teitelbaum, Esq.