HATFIELD — A member of the Hatfield Housing Authority who’s been absent from every meeting since September, not up to date on mandated state training, and whose behavior has concerned colleagues could be removed from the panel by the Select Board, pending a hearing later this month.

At an open session of the Select Board on Tuesday, members agreed to hold a hearing, under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 121B, Section 6, to consider Christopher Smith’s membership as a commissioner on the Housing Authority. This followed a request for action from the other commissioners, Chairman Alex Malinowski, Judy Schell and Diana Szynal, who chairs the Select Board; and Executive Director Cara Leiper, in February.

“You’ve let your qualifications lapse, you’re not showing up at meetings, and we have plenty of documentation here about your bullying, toxic, immature, ignorant and angry behavior at meetings,” Szynal said during the meeting, which Smith requested be held in public rather than in executive session. Szynal said that Smith has also made what she described as obsessive requests for information, which serves to paralyze the authority.

During a February meeting, Leiper read a statement to the Select Board criticizing Smith and charging that he has not completed the board training required every two years.

“The Hatfield Housing Authority and its residents deserve a fully functioning board, and Mr. Smith’s actions have compromised our ability to operate effectively,” the statement reads.

In an often contentious meeting where Smith was accompanied by family mediator and attorney Stephen Linsky, Smith said he’s the only commissioner who cares for the people who live at Capawonk Housing for the Elderly, the town’s sole Housing Authority property.

Smith said sewage continues to back up from Capawonk’s second-floor apartments into the first-floor apartments, and the town has failed to repair a crosswalk signal light at the 2 School St. site.

“Several Capawonk residents have nearly been hurt or killed by cars not stopping, especially those with walkers and wheelchairs,” Smith said.

Smith also noted the continued hard feelings following the 2023 vote to reject a $487,000 state grant to install air source heat pumps at Capawonk, which he favored and wants reconsidered, and the need to revise an emergency plan for getting Capawonk residents to safer ground should there be a flood similar to 1984, which would go halfway up the first floor of the residences. That plan calls for busing the 48 residents to a parking lot of a former bowling alley on Routes 5 and 10.

“It is unfortunate these matters continue to be ongoing and unresolved, and to have resulted in animus between between HHA board members, leading to these items being brought before you,” Smith said.

Szynal, though, didn’t appear to be swayed by Smith’s reasoning.

“If those things are of that great a concern to you, I don’t know why you’re not coming to meetings,” Szynal said.

Although his term ends in May, when the town election is held, Select Board members indicated that Smith’s behavior has been enough to merit a hearing and his possible removal.

Szynal said three Housing Authority members left because of Smith’s behavior and, since she joined the panel as the governor’s appointee last fall, the board is functioning, things are calm, and board members and Capawonk residents are protected from what she described as abuse.

“Things are running very well, which you would know if you ever showed up,” Szynal said.

“Your behavior has been terrible at previous meetings,” Szynal added.

The other Select Board members backed Syznal.

Board member Greg Gagnon said he’s not sure the Housing Authority can function well with Smith on it because disagreements become personal. “It doesn’t mean there should be retribution if they don’t agree with you,” Gagnon said.

Board member Ed Jaworski offered similar sentiments.

“I think there’s a lot of hostility,” Jaworski said. “I think if you went back on it, I don’t think it would function well, I’ve got to be honest with you.”

But Smith said there is obvious prejudice and animosity toward him, while he has expressed no hostility. His role, he said, is to represent Capwonk residents, many who are frightened about being removed from their homes if they bring forward complaints themselves.

“Are you OK with the sewage from the second floor backing up into the first-floor apartments?” Smith asked.

Leiper said during her tenure, she has received no such concerns from residents.

Smith asserted that the toxic conditions on the housing board have been created by others, including Szynal.

“You inserted (yourself) onto that board, and you and I have a history,” Smith said.

“You and a lot of people have a history,” Szynal responded.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.