Former Town Councilor Jim Butler addressed the Town Council during public comment at the Dec. 16 meeting, demanding answers and serving members with 91A Requests.
Butler has been very vocal over the past few months on what led to the recent resignation of his son Bo Butler.
“Pretty much it’s following up on several meetings,” Butler said.
He explained that during the Oct. 7 meeting, his son Bo Butler resigned from his position.
At the Oct. 21 meeting, there was more discussion, and Butler said he requested all open town positions for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
“This was to include salaries and associated costs,” Butler said.
With over two months passing, Butler said he wasn’t happy.
“Its now approximately 70-days and I haven’t heard a thing from the town,” Butler said.
Butler also said he was requesting an alleged suspension letter for Bo Butler from Malaguti.
Additionally, he requested the Town Attorney to look into what Town Council Chair Chad Franz knew about the personnel matter, alleging that he thinks a Town Charter violation had occurred.
“I believe there were violations of the Town Charter,” Butler said.
Since the Town hadn’t fulfilled his requests for information, Butler said he was formally submitting 91As.
“It’s a shame, an absolute shame,” Butler said.
After providing a copy of the request to the Town Council during the meeting Butler said he spoke to the Attorney General Office, about what happens if 91A requests aren’t fulfilled. He implied that he would be taking legal action.
“I will file, it’s not a threat, I will do it because I’m going to get the answers I deserve as a taxpayer,” Butler said.
In addition to the data requests, Butler questioned when they would be beginning the search for a new Town Manager after Mike Malaguti resigned earlier this year.
In December, the Town Council announced Recreation Director Art Psaledas would be the Acting Town Manager.
“When do we think the town manager’s position will be posted,” Butler asked during the meeting.
Town Council Vice Chair Ted Combes said that they are in the process.
“We are working on that right now,” Combes said.
While he didn’t specify who he was referring to Butler said there were people in Town who are interested in applying for the position.
“There are some people, good people in Town, who are interested in this position that have kids in the school system that are well aware of municipalities and they’re looking to step up,” Butler said, explaining that they shouldn’t drag out the process.
Another former Town Council member, Deb Paul, had a similar situation happen to her shortly after leaving her post.
Reached after the meeting, she said, “I know exactly how Jim feels, I was put in the same position while Jim was on the Town Council.”
Paul was forced to take her request for a complaint letter filed against her to Superior Court, where the judge sided with her and her attorney, telling the town to reimburse her legal fees and supply her with the document she requested.
Paul added, “It’ll be a shame if the town forces court action, it’s unnecessary and costs the taxpayers much more than it should. I thought that with the departure of Malaguti, the town’s attitude on these issues would change. I guess I’m wrong.”
Paul also said that her recent questions to the town have all been treated as 91A Requests, no matter the subject matter.
Paul said, “This new policy just seems to be more red tape. Simple questions should just be answered. If this is a new policy, it was never discussed in public to my knowledge.” She added, “If this has become a new policy, I’d like to see it in writing and I’d like to know how much it’s costing the taxpayers in legal fees.”