Following a hearing last Thursday in Gloucester General District Court, the disposition of a misdemeanor assault and battery charge against Lawrence Cohen was deferred for one year.

The charge stems from an altercation that occurred during an Oct. 4 town hall meeting on Gloucester’s bond referendum proposal that was on this year’s ballot. Cohen was defending himself, his attorney, Michael Soberick, stated.

Judge Joshua P. DeFord presided over the hearing, as several witnesses took the stand to give their perspectives on the case.

Maria Calloway, finance director for the county, said she, Board of Supervisors’ chairman Chris Hutson and County Administrator Carol Steele were at the front of the room, directly in front of the stage, to answer questions.

A moderator, along with Community Engagement and Public Information Manager Quinton Sheppard, was at the meeting handing a wireless microphone to those who would like to ask a question from their seats. Calloway said Cohen was...