MIDDLEBORO —- The Select Board rescinded all current appointments to the Cultural Council and replaced them with five new members at their Monday, April 7 meeting.

“The past couple of months we’ve had issues with the Cultural Council itself, we’ve had issues with the previous Cultural Council, it’s not just this one,” said Select Board Chair Mark Germain.

The council is responsible for distributing $19,000 annually in grants to various organizations, such as the Middleboro Public Library and the Council on Aging, to support a range of events and activities.

Under the current leadership, the council has been the scene of several controversies, including an open meeting law violation complaint and questions raised by residents of the fairness of grant distribution.

In November, 2024, resident Larry Burkhardt started a position to remove the chair of the council, Paula Fay.

“It's become a major issue in this room week after week and I think the public wants us to do something about it, so we hear you loud and clear,” Germain said.

On Monday, the Select Board voted to replace the current members with five new ones.

The board appointed Stephanie Hall, Emily Surette, Michelle Coyle, Joseph Mandile and Josh Porter.

All five new members are current town employees, serving in positions ranging from grant writer, such as Hall, to Town Planner like Mandile.

“I think this is definitely the right move to ensure every opportunity is given to anyone who comes forward and asks for grant money,” said Select Board member Teresa Farley.

Farley also noted that Hall’s experience as a grant writer will be an asset to the council.

“I know the Cultural Council members probably don’t want to hear this but I do want to thank them for volunteering,” Germain said of the now removed members.