Fitzwilliam accepts resignations of its sole two highway employees

FITZWILLIAM — The selectboard has accepted the resignations of its only two highway employees, Town Administrator Debbie Favreau confirmed Monday.

She said the board will meet Wednesday to continue discussions regarding the future of the public works department.

In the meantime, Favreau said the town will rely on subcontractors to plow the roads, as well as Selectboard member Martin Nolan, who she noted has a commercial driver's license and will oversee operations in the interim.

Keith Atkins and Ryan Chamberlain submitted their resignations the day of former Public Works Director Glenn Smith's departure on Feb. 9.

Smith had submitted his two weeks notice on Jan. 26, according to Favreau.

The Sentinel has been unable to reach Smith or Chamberlain to ask their reasons for leaving the department. Atkins told a reporter on Feb. 13 that his decision was unrelated to Smith's departure, but that he "didn't agree with the direction the town is going."

He declined to elaborate.

That same day, Selectman Brian Doerpholz told a reporter that Atkins' and Chamberlain's resignation letters hadn't been accepted yet, as they would be deferred for further discussion at a meeting Feb. 15.

Favreau said the town is still searching for Smith's replacement.

More from this section

+6

How gas prices have changed in New Hampshire in the last week

According to minutes from a Feb. 8 selectboard meeting, at least one town resident has presented himself as a candidate. The minutes, posted to the town's website, state that John Holman, a local contractor, filed a complaint about the public works department's quality of work in recent years.

Holman stated he is retiring and "is happy to jump in and pick up the mantle of [public works department director] if it suits the" selectboard, the minutes indicate.

The following week, at the selectboard's Feb. 13 meeting, members met with Holman in a non-public session, citing the exemption of the state’s right-to-know law that allows for closed-door discussion on hiring someone as a public employee.

Following that meeting, Holman told a reporter he wants to help out however he can.

The selectboard's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the town hall.

•••

Hunter Oberst can be reached at 603-355-8546, or hoberst@keenesentinel.com.

These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.