Select Board shifts leadership, sends hospital safety demand letter to state.
Tewksbury Select Board reorganizes with internal divisions, unanimously opposes state hospital security policy. Eric Ryder was elected Chair, 3-2, with Vice Chair Mark Kratman and Clerk John Lombardo facing similar splits. The Board sent an urgent demand letter to the Massachusetts Department of
Select Board · Meeting of April 14, 2026
Tewksbury Select Board reorganizes with internal divisions, unanimously opposes state hospital security policy. Eric Ryder was elected Chair, 3-2, with Vice Chair Mark Kratman and Clerk John Lombardo facing similar splits. The Board sent an urgent demand letter to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to reverse an April 3 directive banning less-lethal tools from Tewksbury State Hospital security staff; Police Chief Ryan Columbus reported 478 violent incidents at the facility in 2025, with his department responding to only 26.
The Board unanimously approved permits for the Tewksbury Memorial High School Fun Run Road Race on October 3, 2026. The Board approved Special Town Meeting Warrant Article 2, funding salary adjustments for five department heads, by a 4-1 vote, with Board Member Mackey dissenting.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 567 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of April 14, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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