Selectmen sharply criticize Budget Committee conduct and urge more transparency

A heated exchange about the town’s budget repeatedly surfaced during "Other Business" at the July 13 meeting, with several selectmen sharply criticizing the Budget Committee’s conduct and conclusions.

Vice Chair Shawn O'Neil accused some Budget Committee members of trying to “defund the Police Department,” criticized what he described as accounting errors, and said Chairman Rob Collins’ approach showed "a weakness and lack of moral fiber." Selectman Joe Hester said he "lost it" at the July 7 Budget Committee meeting and was particularly concerned that committee members questioned Police Chief Parsons' integrity; Hester said he reviewed prior meetings and found the chief had previously provided the information the committee said was missing.

Chair Annemarie Inman expressed sympathy for Joe Hester and urged that the meeting video remain on so residents can see the "push and pull" that occurs during budget deliberations. Board members directed the administrator to continue coordinating with the Budget Committee and expressed a hope that future budget sessions will steer in a different direction.