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Nicholas Seldon accuses board of cover-up, questions manager's contract protections
Summary
Nicholas Seldon told the board he believes transfers and subsequent handling were intentional and accused town leaders of stonewalling and violating the Public Records Act; he also said the manager's new contract would include a $30,000 raise and significant protections and urged the board to reconsider.
Nicholas Seldon addressed the Woodstock Select Board and accused board leaders and the municipal manager of "stonewalling" inquiries after contested fund transfers were discovered, calling the pattern of explanations inconsistent and alleging a cover-up.
"This was intentional," Seldon said, arguing the sequence of explanations given by board members did not add up and that public-records requests and minutes had not been produced when requested. He also cited a letter from VLCT mentioned at a prior meeting and said the board had exceeded statutory public-records timelines.
Seldon criticized the municipal manager's upcoming contract, saying the manager would receive a $30,000 raise and protections that would make termination difficult. He urged the board to reevaluate the manager's contract before July 1, which he identified as the contract start date, and said the manager should not participate in discussions where conflicts of interest exist.
At the meeting the Chair acknowledged Seldon's comments but did not concede the allegations; the Clerk later read motions to enter executive session to discuss legal fees, a document request, and the manager's annual review.
