The Northfield Select Board on May 27 addressed an ethics complaint and related public-records requests involving Police Chief Gomez, saying the town has treated the matter as a confidential ethics investigation under Vermont’s process and that the state has advised confidentiality.

Town Manager Jeff Schultz told the board the complaint was filed in January and the state’s ethics process treats those materials as confidential. “It is, in my mind, it is like a whistleblower investigation,” Schultz said, and he said the town hired a private investigator and is treating interviews and related documents as protected.

That position prompted repeated questions from residents during public participation. Christina Ward, a Northfield resident who spoke during public comment, asked whether board members could say personally where they stand regarding the chief and whether the town’s withholding of records complied with Vermont law. Ward said she had requested documents and “received nothing from the town manager. Not even a reason why.”

Several board members answered questions from the public. Charlie Morris said he supports the chief. Schultz said he had hired Chief Gomez and that “he has my full support.” Other board members also stated personal support for town employees while acknowledging the need to follow the statutory and investigatory process.

Schultz and other town officials said the town attorney had advised that the document Ward sought was protected as part of the ethics investigation and therefore not releasable in full. Schultz said a court could order material released if someone sought relief through the courts; he noted there is an active request in the courts seeking release of some material.

Residents at the meeting said they were frustrated by delays and the difficulty and cost of seeking court review. Ward noted that filing in superior court in Montpelier to compel records costs $295 to file and often requires an attorney, which can be costly for individuals seeking information.

The board did not vote to release the records during the meeting. Board members said they would rely on guidance from the state and the town attorney and that the investigation must preserve confidentiality while it proceeds. Several residents said they might pursue legal relief to obtain documents.

The board’s discussion also covered procedure: who had seen the letter and documents related to the complaint. Schultz confirmed the board and town attorney had seen relevant materials; he said he would follow up on the status of public-records responses.