Marshall Bishop: Six ongoing lawsuits primary reason for so many non-public meetings

To The Daily Sun,

To the residents of Gilmanton:

Mr. Baiocchetti’s letter, read at Candidate’s Night, articulates three priorities for the next board:

1. Fiscal: In 2019, expenses came in almost 10 percent under budget. This is a clear statement of the fiscally-prudent approach by the board, town administration, and department Heads have operated.

The Stage Road Bridge project was managed: this $2.3 million project was accomplished with no financing, only cash flow management, under budget, and saving taxpayers unnecessary interest charges. In fact, the initial 40 percent reimbursement from N.H. DOT has remained untouched for a year, deposited in a CD, and is still producing interests for the taxpayers.

2. Transparency: Contrary to his statement, there are at least two “believable” reasons for “so many non-public sessions.”

The first one is the statutory requirements under RSA 91-A, which binds the board to address specific matters in non-public sessions, including, but not limited to: personnel matters, matters that would negatively affect the reputation of an individual, and ongoing legal proceedings.

The second reason is a fact that the town is currently facing six lawsuits. Any discussion on these requires a non-public session. The overall number of non-public sessions and minutes that remain sealed has significantly dropped.

3. Employees: The board agrees that employees need to be treated as “assets and not liabilities.” It has become a habit in town to systematically trash town employees; this needs to stop. It is acceptable to have different opinions; it is not okay to denigrate and defame. The town is lucky to have a tremendous group of talented professionals who are committed to serve this town as best as they can with provided resources.

Mr. Baiochetti recommends to “establish and implement guidelines and policies that are legal and up to date and reasonable.” This board has drafted and implemented various policies and procedures, which were reviewed and approved by town council: BOS Operating Guidelines, new Personnel Policy Manual, Administrative Code, PayScale Policy and Hiring Policy.

The intent was twofold: clarify internal working expectations and to bring transparency to the taxpayers on how we operate.

This board has not been “micro-managing” any department, contrary to Mr. Baiocchetti’s statement. The prudent approach to manage the town’s affairs, as requested to do under RSA 41:8. Towards the end, there is a collective responsibility to monitor the activities of town departments and staff to ensure that operations are conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and policies.

The board is in full support of providing training to employees of the town. As part of the 2020 budget recommended by the board and the Budget Committee, $26,500 is for training of employees through all departments, including $5,000 in the PD and $13,250 in the Fire Department.

Mr. Baiocchetti’s campaign platform has already been enacted by the BOS. This board has proven its fiscally prudent approach and strives for more governing transparency, and its unfettered support to the employees of this town.

Due to word limits, I have to stop; you can find the entire letter on Facebook.

Marshall Bishop

Selectman, Gilmanton