The Rindge Select Board is divided over Selectman Tom Coneys’ request to review employee time sheets, after he alleged discrepancies between logged hours and when staff were actually working.
On Sept. 10, the board discussed Coneys’ request to access time sheets and compensatory time records.
“It is my understanding that I should be entitled to see all that stuff. I have several weeks of it I would like to see, that’s all,” Coneys told the board.
Coneys’ attempts to review time sheets have previously caused conflict on the board. He has refused to vote on approving payroll because he said he could not verify payroll sheets without access to the records.
In August, the board voted 2-1 — with Coneys opposed — to hire the town’s attorney to investigate employee complaints against Coneys and recommend next steps.
Chair Bob Hamilton asked whether Coneys’ latest request was tied to a specific employee.
“I don’t want a specific employee, because that’s targeting. I want a department, and I’m not targeting anyone,” Coneys said.
Coneys said he used to review time sheets until Interim Town Administrator Roberta Oeser revoked his access, saying they were personnel records. He said he wanted to review sheets from the fire department and public works.
“So we’re targeting two departments, then,” Hamilton said. Coneys replied that he was not targeting anyone.
“I’m asking for time sheets. It’s called financial oversight. So, if you want to deny me, go right ahead,” Coneys said, adding that denial raised the question of “What are we trying to hide?”
Coneys claimed he has seen at least two discrepancies. In one case, he said a public building was empty during work hours. In another, he said he encountered someone who was listed as working on their time sheet but was not at work.
“The following week, I was prevented from seeing time sheets,” Coneys said. “I don’t want to get into the nuts and bolts of it. If you don’t want me to see the documents, say it, and we’ll go from there.”
Hamilton noted Coneys had access to the records for about a year and had taken copies home. Oeser said that violates town policy, which only allows employees themselves to copy or remove their own records.
Selectman Larry Cleveland said reviewing time sheets is the responsibility of department heads.
“We have a Fire Chief who worked for this town for 26 years under multiple selectmen. We have a DPW director that’s been the DPW director for 20 years, and worked for the town for 30, under multiple selectmen. I can’t believe there’s anything nefarious going on to have a career that long in town under multiple bosses,” Cleveland said.
“I’m not suggesting nefarious,” Coneys said.
“You have,” Cleveland replied.
Coneys argued that as a manager, he had the right to review any employee’s records. Oeser countered that the board as a whole manages records, not individual members.
When asked for a decision, Hamilton declined to make a recommendation. Cleveland said Coneys could review the time sheets in the town office under supervision.
“But I hope when you don’t find anything, that you’re man enough to look at someone with 26 years and 30 years in this town, look them straight in the face and say, ‘I apologize for all the strife I’ve caused in your life in the past year and a half,'” Cleveland said.
Despite Cleveland’s statement, Coneys responded, “I’m assuming that’s a ‘no,’ and we’ll go from there.”
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.