On August 8th, a group of both tribal and community members attended the Mashpee Board of Selectmen meeting, voicing their concerns regarding a board reorganization that took place on July 25th. During the July meeting, John Cotton made a motion to reorganize the board, which ultimately gained a unanimous vote to reorganize as follows: John Cotton as chair, David Weeden as Vice Chair, and Thomas O'Hara as Clerk. The reorganization came about in the wake of an unexpected resignation by former chair Andrew Gottlieb.
Many who spoke during public comment felt that the reorganization gave the optics of collusion between select board members Cotton, Sherman, and O'Hara and subsequently aimed to strip the Vice Chair at the time, tribal member David Weeden, of his rightful opportunity to become chairman.
The board's reorganization did not follow precedent. With an upcoming special election in October, many were confused about why it took place before the election rather than after. Tribal member Chuckie Green, a former Board of Selectmen Chair himself, believed it made "no sense at all" to restructure the board as they did. He stated that "the process that happened the other night was in my mind was fairly disgusting," and it appeared as if "the board had something against a Wampanoag person being appointed Chairman." Non-tribal members alike found that the conduct of the select members showed potential prejudice against a tribal member serving as chair.
It is known that the Town of Mashpee and the tribe have had longstanding difficulties with their relationship, a history highlighted by Chairman Weeden. "There was a point in time in the tribe and the town's history when we were at war with each other…. And I just want all of the residents and everyone to know that you three, when you did that vote, you started that up again".
Mashpee resident and Chair of Mashpee's Inclusion and Diversity Committee J Marie Stevenson stated that she personally felt heartened by the recent efforts to build bridges between the tribe and the town but that the failure to allow Weeden to serve as chair is "a setback in our efforts to restore a level of leadership that the tribe once had."
After hearing public comment, the board decided to amend their initial reorganization and reorganize yet again. They ultimately appointed David Weeden as chair, John Cotton as Vice Chair, and Tom O'Hara remained as clerk. The select board plans to have a special election in October to fill the vacant seat that remains.
