BILLERICA, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A town selectman is facing criticism, including calls for his resignation, and a possible felony charge after he painted four crosswalks in the town center.
The town's board of selectmen is asking for George Simolaris to resign, and he could be facing a felony charge related to his actions.
"If I had known all of this would have unfolded, I would not have done it," Selectman George Simolaris said.
In what he calls an effort to help keep pedestrians safe, Simolaris painted green in between the lines of four crosswalks in the center of town.
"These things weren't done, it's a safety hazard," Simolaris said. "I tried to do something for the town. I'm a professional painter, I used top-quality equipment, I did it myself. I didn't endanger anybody. I care about our residents. They've been waiting for these things to be done."
On Sunday, four public works employees power washed those same crosswalks, trying to get rid of the new paint.
Billerica's town manager, John Curran, said the town used to paint green in between the crosswalk lines, also known as the field of a crosswalk, but there is now a bylaw that doesn't allow for that portion of the crosswalk to be painted.
The bylaw was created, Curran said, as a way to preserve the look of the town's historic district.
Curran said that at the very least, Simolaris may have to pay restitution for the cost of the cleanup.
Simolaris said he will not resign because he believes he is an effective selectman.
The board was set to meet on Monday evening, and Curran expected the incident would be discussed.