Magnan vs. Boisvert

School Committee member Patrick Magnan has filed an ethics complaint against City Councilor Norman Boisvert, claiming Boisvert didn't property notify a potential conflict when voting for the city budget this week.

Magnan notes Boisvert's wife works as a paraprofessional in the city schools. That should have been noted before voting on the budget. Boisvert argues he was voting on the overall budget, not line items, and there is no conflict according to state law.

There doesn't appear to be any financial or policy-focused issue here. Magnan said he was introduced to Boisvert's wife by Boisvert last week, and realized there might be a conflict. He warned Boisvert to public announce the potential conflict before voting on the budget, or he would pursue the matter. Magnan seems motivated only by an effort to keep matters above board.

Boisvert isn't happy about all this, and I can't imagine he and Magnan will be enjoying a holiday cookout together this weekend. Check this out:

“I’m glad he filed it. Now maybe he can shut his mouth,” Boisvert said in the Telegram. “I seem to be in his crosshairs at the present time. But he means nothing to me.”

The city already has some rifts in it: The council and the mayor's budget process was testy, and the School Committee and mayor aren't speaking (literally, if you remember the mayor's role in committee budget discussions), and not a councilor and School Committee member are itching for a gunfight on Main Street. Happy times.