The chair of Medford's Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), Tony Arena, resigned this week after the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office concluded that the board violated the state's Open Meeting Law May 31 during deliberations on a proposed 490-unit apartment complex on Locust Street.

Mayor Stephanie M. Burke announced Oct. 19 that she had accepted Arena's resignation.

“Anthony Arena has served the citizens of Medford with dedication and distinction for over 28 years," Burke said in a press release. "I wish him and his family many years of happiness and good health.”



In the release, Burke said "the finding of the Attorney General’s Office, while concerning, does little to tarnish the exemplary and well-earned reputation of Mr. Arena."

Attorney Scott Carmen will replace Arena on the board. Burke appointed Carmen to the ZBA as an alternate in early 2016.

Medford resident Cheryl Rodriguez filed an Open Meeting Law complaint with the AG's Office in June following the May 31 ZBA meeting.

Read the AG's Oct. 11 decision on the ZBA's Open Meeting Law violation here.



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