Town Meeting Members Criticize Investigation of Fellow Members and Press for Reimbursement

During public comment at Town Meeting, Harry Freriedman (town meeting member, advisory committee) and Neil Gordon (town meeting member, advisory committee) criticized an outside investigation into five town meeting members (the "Cassella 5"). Freriedman said the inquiry produced shifting charges and cost those members about $24,000 in legal fees, and he urged the select board to authorize reimbursement for those expenses.

Freriedman said the investigation began with an unnamed complaint and contended the town pursued theories that changed over time, including a claim tied to a photograph used during a town‑meeting debate. "This investigation was a nothing burger," he said, and added that town leadership should exercise discretion and avoid chilling people who serve in town government.

Neil Gordon echoed the concerns, pressed the town administrator for the specific basis and authority for the investigation, and noted the advisory committee requested legal citations that had not been provided. Town Administrator Chaz Cary responded in the meeting: he said the initial tip — a voicemail raising questions about a transportation‑board matter — and subsequent behaviors prompted use of an outside investigator to avoid an appearance of conflict; he acknowledged that notification and handling could have been better and that the process lasted longer and cost more than he had expected.

Other town meeting members urged the town to adopt a clear policy governing reimbursements and to clarify the thresholds and procedures for investigations of town meeting members. Applause followed several speakers; the exchanges highlighted both procedural and transparency concerns and led several members to call for bylaw or policy changes to avoid similar episodes in the future.

Ending: Town administrators and advisory committee members said they will consider policy changes and coordination with the select board to reduce ambiguities about investigative authority and to create a predictable reimbursement policy.