Last modified: Thursday, July 2, 2009 1:57 AM EDT Foxboro board chairman under fire BY FRANK MORTIMER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF FOXBORO - Selectwoman Lynda Walsh has criticized chairman Paul Feeney for introducing himself as chairman of the board of selectmen during a recent unionizing session involving about two dozen Gillette Stadium tradesmen. While voicing respect for the chairman's belief in unions, Walsh threw her support behind a failed motion, which member Larry Harrington made last week to designate someone other than Feeney to serve as the board's liaison to the Kraft Group in security-related negotiations. "Unfortunately, I believe you have compromised your position and given reasonable people cause to doubt that you are likely to act or fail to act as a result of your unwavering commitment to unions," Walsh said during Tuesday's selectmen's meeting. With the board's majority - Lorraine Brue, Paul Mortenson and Feeney, himself - firm in their view that the chairman and Mortenson did no wrong by sharing pro-union stories with Kraft workers, Walsh's comments leave Feeney's assignment as negotiating point man unchanged. "I certainly do not want to open the door to a continuance of the heated discussion that happened last Tuesday," Walsh said, reading from a prepared statement. But Feeney responded, defending his actions, as did Brue and Mortenson. "I have no doubt in my mind that we can continue to function effectively with Paul's leadership on all board of selectmen matters, including negotiations," Brue said via e-mail. Brue said she was more concerned that Harrington's attack on Feeney's judgment and objectivity may create a perception in the town that the board cannot effectively operate under Feeney's leadership. Noting that the town counsel is reviewing the concerns Harrington raised last week and will provide a legal opinion to the board, Brue said she sees Tuesday night's exchange as "an unnecessary revisit to the topic." Harrington also read from a prepared statement, citing the evidence of the Foxboro Cable Access videotape. Noting that Feeney last week accused him of being disrespectful, loud and emotional, Harrington said, "It is clear on the tape that you yelled at me a number of times, stated you wouldn't stand for it, and that we should demand respect from each other." Harrington said it was, in fact, respectful to question Feeney openly about his actions, rather than to rely on the press, blogs or rumors. The Kraft Group had no comment on the matter. Brue expressed confidence in Feeney's impartiality, as demonstrated in a closed session on stadium security immediately after last week's public argument over his role. "My ability to remain impartial is not compromised, and I hope I have the opportunity to show that moving forward," Feeney said.