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Residents and Selectboard debate whether decisions were made by a single member
Summary
Public commenters and Selectboard members clashed over whether personnel decisions had been discussed or decided outside of full board meetings; Selectboard members said the executive session focused exclusively on the Road Foreman vacancy.
Several public speakers at the April 17 meeting said they were concerned that decisions or discussions about town employees had occurred outside the full Selectboard meeting and that a single member should not decide personnel matters. Duane Hart stated that "no one person on the Selectboard should be making decision[s]. Decision should always be made as a group."
Chair Denis Benson addressed the concern, saying discussions should not have taken place during the regular meeting and that this was an error. Brian Gehlich said that discussions about employees were intended to arrive at a proper decision about the new Road Foreman and that the town values its road crew. Vice Chair Jim Linville told the public that the only reason for the executive meeting was to discuss the Road Foreman position.
The minutes record these procedural concerns and the board’s assurances but do not show a formal change to board practice or a policy motion to prevent informal discussions. The board reiterated that applicants not chosen would be called and thanked for their interest and that the selected candidate accepted the position.
