Sussman Becomes Chatham Board Chairman

by Alan Pollock

            CHATHAM — With no discussion, selectmen elected a new slate of officers Tuesday, in the wake of last week's resignation from the chairmanship by Ronald Bergstrom

            The board chose Len Sussman, former vice chairman, as its new chairman.  Florence Seldin, the former clerk, was named vice chairman, and Selectman David Whitcomb was named the new clerk.  All the votes were unanimous and were made on the first nomination.

            Last Tuesday, Bergstrom preemptively stepped aside as chairman, heading off an expected vote by other board members to remove him.  Bergstrom came under fire for using sharp language during the previous meeting when he threatened to throw one man out of the meeting room, and called another speaker a liar.  In September, board members chided Bergstrom after another passionate exchange with a citizen at a meeting last September, but took no action against him.

3/11/10