Public and selectmen clash over vacancy process and civility in Middlebury

Public comment at the Jan. 5 Middlebury Board of Selectmen meeting focused on the process for filling a vacant Selectman seat and a dispute between First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr and Selectman J. Paul Vance.

Selectman Vance read a prepared statement saying his absence from a special meeting was used as a basis for public criticism and that disagreements should be handled publicly in the chamber, not on social media. “Disagreements on this Board are normal… The bully pulpit of social media is unfortunate,” Vance said, adding he remains committed to serving Middlebury.

Several residents then spoke. William Callahan and Samantha Pacileo urged respectful governance and openness; Dana Shepard criticized Vance for not vetting candidates during the process; Randy Adler expressed support for Vance as a balance on the board and voiced his desire for more competitive representation; Karen Rotella urged the board to give Mahr time to do her job; other residents raised procedural questions about how the vacancy will be filled under state statute.

Mahr explained the timeline and legal process for filling the vacancy under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-222 and provided written guidance to the Town Clerk about elective town officials’ obligations. She emphasized the Town Committee process could consider any or none of the applicants and that procedures for committee caucuses are set by those committees.

The exchange reflected both policy questions about the vacancy and personal tensions among board members and residents; multiple speakers urged civility and a focus on process and transparency.