Hanson Board of Health meeting turns into a brawl

HANSON, Mass. (WHDH) -- Small town politics turned violent at a Hanson Board of Health meeting Monday, with much of the anger directed at the chairman.

"The table was dumped over and I had three people in my face saying I’m going to kill you,” said Tom Constantine, chairman of the board of health.

Constantine has apparently ruffled some feathers in town with the way he has run the board and its meetings.

Sources told 7News the man that turned over the table and threatened Constantine was angry about the way the board investigated alleged complaints against his son's auto body shop.

"I’m not defending my dad’s actions at all. He went way too far. I will 100 percent agree with that. But you know, I’ve had people call that you wouldn’t expect to call to say I’m glad somebody finally did something ‘cause this guy, he’s out of control,” said Scott Capellini, who owns the investigated business.

Hanson’s town administrator admits the incident gives his town a black eye.

“It's not what municipal government is all about. The idea is to try to act civilly and work cooperatively. In this instance, that just didn’t happen. It was tragic that it happened,” said Rene Read, town administrator.

Police eventually showed up and Constantine hopes charges will follow.

"I’ve never been involved in town politics. I did this as part of my civic duty a year and a half ago. Biggest mistake of my life,” said Constantine.

No arrests were made, but the incident remains under investigation. There will be another board of health meeting on Thursday.