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Northborough Select Board refers deputy chief personnel complaint to town administrator after heated debate
Summary
Select Board members heard hours of testimony and public comment over a presentation given at Jan. 12 special town meeting about the new fire station site, then voted 4-1 to refer the personnel complaint concerning Deputy Chief Neil Esposi to the town administrator for handling; a motion to dismiss the complaint against Fire Chief David Parente failed.
The Northborough Select Board on Feb. 9 took public testimony and debated how to respond to accusations arising from a Jan. 12 special town meeting presentation about the town—ire station site at 61-65 Main Street.
After more than two hours of statements and a lengthy public-comment period, the board voted 4-1 to refer the personnel complaint concerning Deputy Chief Neil Esposi to Town Administrator Stephanie Bacon for further handling. Jacob Jones moved the referral; Laura Zieten seconded. The board recorded votes of aye from John Jonathan Ray, Jacob Jones, Laura Zieten and Chair Julianne Hirsch, with Mike Tietjen voting no.
The action followed a public statement from Deputy Chief Esposi and a defense from his retained counsel, who said the Jan. 12 presentation unfairly targeted Esposi and Chief David Parente and mischaracterized technical reports. Attorney Moscos told the board the presentation had been "a 26-page assassination of these two gentlemen's character" and said much of the cost that drew criticism came from unanticipated structural soil issues rather than hazardous contaminants.
Select Board members described two goals in the session: protecting town employees while establishing whether the town—ould have provided clearer information to voters. Chair Julianne Hirsch said the board—elt a fiduciary duty to discuss the project's costs; member Jacob Jones said his concern was ensuring accurate public information and accountability.
A separate motion to dismiss the complaint against Chief David Parente was offered by Mike Tietjen but failed on a roll call (Tietjen was the only aye). The board also accepted public comment after voting to suspend the rules; residents, the local firefighters ssociation and other speakers urged both support for the department and better transparency from municipal leaders.
Board counsel advised that personnel matters for the deputy are normally under the town administrator's jurisdiction and recommended referral; the vote implemented that advice. The board did not take further public disciplinary action at the meeting and directed the town administrator to review the personnel complaint and recommend next steps.
