To the editor:
Since my re-election in March, I have endured insults and falsehoods made in public meetings, often without being allowed to respond. Select Board members Willard and Caisse continue the name-calling and misinformation in a recent letter to this newspaper.
Since when is it “boorish” to insist that our treasurer do her job according to law and prudent financial management? If my fellow selectmen Willard and Caisse don’t support these requirements, that is their decision. I took an oath to do what is best for our town and I will continue to do that.
The lack of civility in our board meetings is the responsibility of Chairman Willard, who harangued at a recent board meeting about an “oligarchy” of new people who have ruined his hometown. That divisive statement was disrespectful of the many “new people” who have brought ideas, energy and valued volunteerism to our town.
We need everyone.
My remarks regarding treasurer [Shannon Kelley’s] handling of uncashed town checks were prompted by her refusal to attend the meeting to discuss the problem and her refusal to provide information to selectmen when requested. The latter is a legal requirement (RSA 41:29, III). The treasurer has shown a lack of respect to members of our community who were denied their proper payments for years.
The Right to Know Law exists to ensure that town business is conducted in public.
There are limited reasons to go into nonpublic sessions. I note that Willard and Caisse have signed their recent letter as Temple Select Board, violating the Right to Know law requirement that all meetings have proper notice and votes are required for board action. This was not done. They also released confidential information from a nonpublic session, a serious offense. My request to meet immediately with town counsel to resolve our issues has been denied.
Gail Cromwell
Temple