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Warner Select Board majority declines to reinstate Town Administrator amid public criticism
Summary
The Warner Select Board announced it voted not to reinstate Town Administrator Kathy Frenette. Residents delivered competing public comments — some urging removal and others defending her — and board members said the matter followed an earlier investigation and a non-public session.
The Warner Select Board announced on April 14 that a majority of members voted not to reinstate Town Administrator Kathy Frenette, a decision the board said followed an earlier investigation and non-public deliberations.
At the start of the board’s 6 p.m. session, Chair Alfred Hanson told those present that a vote had been taken and the majority had voted not to reinstate Frenette as Town Administrator. Frenette is on leave pending an investigation, according to remarks in the meeting record.
During the public comment period, resident Sarah McNeil read a letter signed by multiple Warner residents calling for Frenette’s removal. McNeil said those signatories “have lost confidence in her” and alleged Frenette ignored town policies, concluding that it would not be in Warner’s best interest to continue her employment. The meeting record quotes McNeil as saying many citizens and staff lack “the trust and confidence” in Frenette to perform her duties “fairly and professionally.”
Also in public comment, John Leavitt criticized the town meeting’s airing of allegations and said some of the accusations were inaccurate and originated at Town Hall. Leavitt told the board that Chair Hanson should have recused himself from the reinstatement vote, saying Frenette had filed a restraining order against Hanson and alleging that Hanson had “ulterior motives” in the decision.
The record shows no roll-call tally for the reinstatement announcement beyond the board’s characterization that a majority voted not to reinstate. The board did record roll-call votes for other agenda motions during the meeting; the reinstatement matter was announced as the outcome of prior action and was not resolved in open-session motions during the April 14 meeting.
The board did not take additional formal action on personnel at the meeting but noted the Town Administrator remains on leave while the investigation proceeds. Several residents urged the board to act; others present said the public comments included inaccuracies. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 28, when related personnel or procedural items may be revisited.
