WINDHAM — The Town Council elected new leadership Tuesday night, selecting Councilor Clayton Haskell as chairman and Councilor Rebecca Cummings as vice chairwoman, replacing Councilors Donna Chapman and Bob Muir in those positions.

As Chapman turned over her seat, she said, “Clayton, I turn my gavel over to you. It’s been a rough year, and I wish you much luck.”

The leadership votes reflected the divisiveness of the council over the past year, with Councilors Timothy Nangle and Jarrod Maxfield, along with newly-elected Councilor David Nadeau, opposing the other four councilors. The meeting became confusing after music began playing over the live taping and viewers could not hear the discussion.

Muir nominated Haskell for the chairmanship, while Maxfield nominated  Nangle. Haskell, Cummings, Champman and Muir voted for Haskell, and Nadeau, Maxfield and Nangle voted against him.

For the position of vice chairman, Nangle nominated Maxfield, and Muir nominated Cummings.

Before the vote, Maxfield said he would relish the opportunity to work with Haskell.

“If this council and the people here actually expect the voters of Windham to believe that we’re not in another pre-arranged, back-door, untransparent choice, then it would be fully appropriate to help mix two views, and Councilor Haskell and I, on most issues, could not be much more different,” he said.

“I’d like to work with Councilor Haskell, and I would like to think that members of this council might put aside personal agendas and listen to the voter,” Maxfield said.

Muir said the past year included “a lot of digs, a lot of comments, and in good faith I can’t vote for someone like that.”

Maxfield said, “I cannot support other councilors who frankly sat here while last year’s leadership violated charter, violated executive session rules.”

Chapman replied, “I’ve worked very hard for the people of Windham. I have a pretty good record. And I didn’t appreciate being slandered.”

At this, Nangle, slammed his hands on the table and exclaimed, “You were?”, emphasizing “you.”

Nangle, Maxfield and Nadeau voted for Maxfield as vice chairman while Chapman, Cummings, Muir and Haskell voted against him.

There was some confusion about whether or not Haskell had voted and who he voted for but he clarified that his position was against Maxfield.

The confusion continued after Nangle explained he had received a text saying that music was playing over the live taping of the meeting and viewers could not hear council discussion. The music began during the discussion about the vice chair position.

It continued to play throughout discussions about electing a parliamentarian — Muir was chosen, with Nangle, Nadeau and Maxfield against — and into discussions about the finance committee.

Nangle made two requests to take a break.

During the discussion about the finance committee, he said, “I think it’s absolutely wrong that we’re continuing to debate this while the public cannot hear this conversation.”

The council then took a short break, and the issue was resolved.

For the finance committee, Nangle nominated Nadeau, Maxfield nominated Nangle and Nadeau nominated Maxfield. All three were appointed.

Chapman, Cummings, Muir and Haskell also voted together.

Muir voted against all appointments of Nangle, Maxfield and Nadeau to committees except for Maxfield’s appointment to the Appointments Committee.

All other appointments were unanimous.

During public comment, President of the Highland Lake Association Rosie Hartzler stated, “I am very concerned about what I just saw.”

Speaking to Haskell, she said, “During this past year, on almost every issue that impacted Highland Lake, you voted against it. I am really worried.”

Chapman told Hartzler that the chairman’s role is to guide meetings and set the agenda. “We all make the decisions of what’s going to impact Highland Lake. In what I’ve been through in the past year, I could not in good conscience and good faith support Tim in leadership. I’m sorry,” she said.

Jane Vaughan can be reached at 780-9103 or at jvaughan@keepmecurrent.com.

The new Town Council features Clayton Haskell as chairman, Rebecca Cummings as vice chairwoman and Bob Muir as parliamentarian.

Windham Town Councilors Clayton Haskell, Rebecca Cummings, Donna Chapman and Bob Muir voted for Haskell’s appointment as council chairman.

Councilors Nadeau, Nangle and Maxfield voted against Haskell’s appointment to the position of chairman.