Ciccarello to end storied run as Selectman
Published on January 18th, 2006
STONEHAM, MA - The signs were there. Motioning for a five-minute recess just a half-hour into last night's meeting, the constantly joking and sociable town official appeared too introspective and reserved as he stood smoking a cigarette in the entryway outside Town Hall.
For the debater who defended his stances against all takers, ready to charge head-on against the most polished and prepared challengers, the seventh-term Selectman's barely-noticeable, shaking-hand evidenced an uncharacteristic anxiousness upon his return, perhaps even a little fear about the entire decision.
And so it was that Cosmo Ciccarello, the most-tenured elected official in Stoneham, would choke his way through a brief speech announcing his retirement from the political arena after serving 21-years as a Selectman.
"I'd like to thank the voters of this town for electing me to this board for the past 21-years. It's been an honor," began Ciccarello, who gave special recognition to Town Administrator Ron Florino, Town Counsel Bill Solomon, and every board member he had ever sat alongside.
"The reason I'm making these statements," he broke-down with a crackling voice, his eyes welling with tears, "is that I will not seek re-election. It's been a fantastic voyage.
While the former MDC employee had alluded to his belief that he would not seek re-election this year, many of his closest friends and acquaintances had doubted the seriousness of the statements.
According to Stoneham State Rep. Paul Casey, who attributes his own success to Ciccarello for taking the then twenty-something Winchester resident under his wing nearly18-years-ago, the 67-year-old politician always made such claims.
So like many other people, Casey didn't believe the passionate Ciccarello could walk-away from it all.
"I was kind of bummed out about that," remarked Casey, who reportedly learned the Selectman would officially step-down this Tuesday afternoon. "He's been saying that for a while and he always ran, but I guess this time it's not to be."
Commenting on the decision prior to last Tuesday night's announcement, the veteran town official said he agonized over whether to step down. But in recent months, Ciccarello felt too worn out and weary, a condition he attributed to "being no spring chicken."
Already realizing that he would miss every minute not serving in an official capacity, the former candidate for Governor's Council felt that he could no longer put in the time required of him.
"I'm getting old now. I'll be 68-years-old and I'm getting tired and weary. I can feel it in me, and after 21-years, it's time to step down and let somebody else run the town," the Selectman said.
"I'm going to miss it, no doubt about it. Once you're out of office, people aren't going to listen to you anymore. You're a has-been."
"But when you're in, it's easier to help people. And helping the normal person, cutting through the red-tape, that's all I ever wanted to do," he added.
For a person first encountering the at-times fiery Ciccarello, the 67-year-old would likely come-off as a contentious and argumentative man, a politician who had an opinion about everything in an era where many elected officials hide behind a mask of ambiguity.
But for the seventh-term Selectman, he lacked the ability to restrain himself, especially when put in a situation where he disagreed with what was being discussed. Looking back, Ciccarello couldn't have done it any other way, although he readily admits to being on both the wrong-side and the losing-side at times.
"I've sat away from nobody. I just have to say what's in my heart and what I believe in. I haven't always been right, but you have to do that," the DiNanno Road resident explained.
"I've had fights with some of my best friends. And the problem with some [politicians] is that they take things outside the chamber. You can't do that. You can't take things personally. You win some and you lose some," he added.
According to both Casey and School Committee member Marie Christie, the most-tenured School Committee member in town, they've both had their disagreements, and at-times even shouting matches with Ciccarello over the years.
But regardless of whether they agreed with the former MDC employee's stance on a particular issue, they've always found the Selectman's forwardness to be one of the most endearing qualities about him.
"Cosmo and I have been friends for years," Christie remarked. "He's a great guy. We can disagree on a subject and argue about it. But at the end of the night, we can sit down and have coffee. And that's the way friends should be."
"When I first ran, he was actually supportive of my predecessor," recalled Casey. "We were never enemies, but he would go around and say, 'hey, he's a nice guy, but don't vote for the young kid.' And two years later, he embraced me, he took me under his wing."
"It's funny, because people say discretion is the better part of valor. But not with Cosmo. And that's what is refreshing about Cosmo. Even though in some people's eyes he's contentious or opinionated, other politicians are much more Machiavellian and tricky."
"He's always sincere," the State Rep added. "I don't think anybody can say, 'he deceived me or he speaks with a forked tongue.' I'm not saying that he's one-dimensional either, because he is willing to compromise. And if he's for someone, he always sticks with you."
Responding to Ciccarello's announcement last night, Selectman Chair Bob Sweeney - who was himself tutored and taken under the 67-year-old's wings over the years - recalled how much advice the 21-year veteran had doled-out to fellow board members over recent years.
While thankful for that willingness to help, Sweeney refused to treat the former Zoning Board member as if he had just died.
"He was the guy I've always went to for advice. And he always kept in touch with the human side of politics. But I'm not going to treat this like a eulogy, so I'll see you tomorrow my friend."
And according to Ciccarello, his Selectman counterpart should fully expect to see him tomorrow, because while he readily admits to feeling tired, he still has quite a bit of fire in the furnace.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry. I'll make my last hurrah, let me tell you," said the Selectman with a laugh.
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