Malden council refers mayoral pick for vocational school committee to personnel amid recusal and open-meeting concerns

Councilors referred the mayor’s appointment of Jeffrey Allen Donahue to the Personnel and Appointments Committee after members raised procedural and conflict-of-interest concerns.

Mayor Gary Christianson formally recommended Donahue, a lifelong Malden resident and former Ward 4 councilor who works in the trades, in a written letter read into the record that described the appointment as temporary and urged an expedited process. Several residents and supporters spoke during public comment in favor of Donahue’s qualifications.

Debate on the council floor focused less on Donahue’s background than on the process used to present his name. Councilor Cica asked that Councilors Colon Hayes and O’Malley recuse themselves from deliberation and noted what she said were possible violations of Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 268A and the open‑meeting law, saying there had been private communications intended to influence the vote. Cica said she planned to file an open‑meeting complaint.

Councilors who opposed immediate confirmation said the vacancy should be filled with a transparent, joint process between the city council and school committee that allows other qualified residents to apply. Councilor O’Malley and others said the regional agreement requires a joint appointment but does not prescribe an expeditious public posting process; O’Malley said the city and school committee should act together.

On a motion by Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor O’Malley, the council voted to refer the appointment to the Personnel and Appointments Committee for review and to allow a coordinated selection process. The motion carried 6–5.

The personnel committee referral pauses any immediate confirmation by the council; the council president announced a five‑minute recess after the vote. The personnel committee will be expected to consider both process questions and Donahue’s qualifications at its next meeting.