Governor's Council approves Jubinville, 6-1, for Framingham clerk magistrate post
BOSTON — With the lieutenant governor's family members and a councilor's pet Scottie dog in the chamber, the Governor's Council sped through Gov. Charlie Baker's final judicial nominees Tuesday, more than a week before the term ends.
Baker's final appointee to cross the finish line was Councilor Robert Jubinville, who for the past decade has served on the panel that decides whether to approve judicial candidates. Baker tapped the Milton Democrat earlier this month for a lifetime appointment as clerk magistrate of Framingham District Court, a vacant position that had not been publicly posted.
The council on Tuesday also confirmed former state Rep. Harold Naughton (6-1) and labor lawyer Kareem Morgan (8-0) to the District Court bench; Jennifer Lennon as clerk magistrate of Marlborough District Court (8-0); and Rachel Hickey as clerk magistrate of Ipswich District Court (8-0). Industrial Accident Reviewing Board members Bernard Fabricant and Martin Long were unanimously reappointed for terms extending into 2028 and 2029, respectively.
Earlier: Baker nominates Councilor Robert Jubinville for clerk magistrate in Framingham
It wasn't advertised as the final council assembly of 2022, but farewell speeches and thank-yous were doled out, along with large autographed group portraits of the council sitting with Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. Polito's husband and children were present, as was retiring Councilor Mary Hurley's canine companion, who became familiar to council observers during the pandemic for his occasional interruptions on WebEx.
Casting her vote for Jubinville, Hurley noted that it was her "last official act." After the vote, Polito said it was "my final act, as well."
Jubinville was confirmed to the clerkship 6-1, with Councilor Marilyn Pettito Devaney dissenting. Devaney called Jubinville "qualified" during his public interview, but said she viewed confirming a councilor to a court posting as a "conflict of interest."
"If he resigned (from the council), I would have voted for him," Devaney told the News Service after Tuesday's session.
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Jubinville's other colleagues rose in succession to praise his various attributes. Councilor Christopher Iannella Jr. pointed his praise back in Devaney's direction and said Jubinville had helped gather her nomination signatures when she had a deficit around six years ago.
Councilor Paul DePalo of Worcester said he was voting for Jubinville "despite the unusual situation" of the nominee serving on the council because he is "eminently qualified."
No grudges for Ferreira
As for Councilor Joseph Ferreira, Jubinville famously called him a "bootlicker" and "rubber stamp" during a heated council debate in 2017. But Ferreira bears no grudge, he said.
"Bob and I have had some very heated arguments in this very chamber," Ferreira said as laughter broke out in the chamber Tuesday. "It's been a little bit public. But is he qualified? Exceptionally well. Does he have the right temperament and empathy for people? He does. And that's why he has my vote today."
Jubinville exited the chamber while the council considered his new job.
He told the News Service he thinks he will start in Framingham District Court next Tuesday and was not sure about when he would officially leave the council, which is part of the executive branch.
Nearly 200,000 voters in Council District 2 just reelected Jubinville this fall to serve another two-year term, which is set to begin next Thursday. His opponent, Republican Dashe Videira of Franklin, garnered 112,941 votes.
Those thousands of constituents could be left without representation on the council for an entire term unless the Legislature steps in. Filling council vacancies falls to the House and Senate, who can elect a new councilor (who resides in the district) with agreeing concurrent votes.
Asked whether the Legislature should fill his seat, Jubinville deferred to the lawmakers.
"That's their prerogative to do what they wish," he said.
Finally, Jubinville reflected on the "great pleasure and honor" of serving on the council.
"Look, at times we didn't agree on things, but I don't know of any deliberative body in this State House or any other state house that haven't had their ups and downs," he said. "But we came into it and we got together and we put those things aside, and I consider you all my very close friends."
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Governor's Council OKs Jubinville for Framingham clerk magistrate
