Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Transparency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident accuses Select Board of retaliation and lack of transparency; board hears multiple public records complaints
Summary
A resident at the hearing accused town officials of intimidation, retaliation and failing to respond to FOIA requests; commenters raised related concerns about meeting scheduling, public records, and the treatment of citizens who question government actions; the board acknowledged the concerns and said staff and auditors are working to reconcile records.
During the hearing of citizens, a local resident delivered an extended statement accusing the Select Board and some associates of a pattern of retaliation, intimidation and inadequate responses to public‑records requests. The speaker urged the board to respect voter decisions, comply with Maine public‑records law, and stop personal attacks against residents who ask questions about town finances or operations.
The resident described specific incidents involving family members and said that public online comments and statements by people affiliated with town officials have damaged the reputation and activities of local volunteers. "Citizens should not have to fight simply to obtain public records or understand how decisions involving taxpayer money are being made," the commenter said, and asked the board to recommit to professionalism and transparency.
Multiple other residents added related concerns: one asked whether ballot measures previously approved by voters had been effectively honored; others asked the board to respond to outstanding FOIA requests and to clarify the timing of decisions and transfers of funds between town capital projects. Several callers and board members observed that Maine law protects citizens’ right to comment in public meetings even while personnel matters remain pending; a speaker cited a state law and a court ruling described as Blanchard v. Education in Augusta, Maine.
Board members acknowledged the gravity of the complaints and said auditing and forensic accounting work is underway. The chair said the town has engaged a forensic accountant and that corrective journal entries were being made; staff and the board committed to follow up with auditors and produce reconciliations for outstanding items before making spending decisions tied to questioned balances.
Why it matters: Allegations of retaliation and requests for better public‑records responsiveness directly affect public trust in local government and the board’s ability to make transparent decisions about public funds. The board’s next steps on auditing and FOIA requests will be material to restoring confidence among concerned residents.
Next steps: Board members said they will press staff and the independent forensic accountant to finish corrective accounting entries and provide reports the board can release (to the extent permitted by law). The board also scheduled executive sessions for personnel matters and a later attorney consult; members reiterated legal constraints on what can be advertised about those sessions.
Quotes: "Citizens who ask questions ... should receive answers, not personal attacks," the resident said in public comment. The board chair said the town has hired a forensic accountant and that corrections suggested by that work are being implemented.
The board did not take a formal action on the allegations at the July 14 meeting; members said they would review audit and forensic accounting updates and respond at a future meeting.
