From the Plaistow Town Crier;
Embattled Stoughton chief is ousted
Officials fear move won't end turmoil
Manuel Cachopa was a 25-year veteran of the force. (Globe File/2005)
By Megan Woolhouse
Boston Globe Staff / February 15, 2009
Stoughton may promote itself on its website as a place of "tranquility and charm," but the reality is quite different.
On Friday, town officials closed one chapter of a long-running saga when they dismissed Police Chief Manuel Cachopa, a 25-year veteran who was convicted of attempted extortion and faces a prison term.
A former sergeant on the town's police force, David M. Cohen, is already serving two years in prison, convicted of attempting to extort and intimidate a local businessman. And Sergeant Robert Welch, who alleged that he was demoted from his position as head of detectives as re taliation for investigating both men, won a lawsuit against the town and a judgment of $165,000 this month.
Even Stoughton officials, who say they will begin a search for a new chief this month, don't see harmony on the horizon.
"Time heals all wounds, but all wounds leave a scar," said Selectman Scott Carrara, who had supported the police chief in the past. "I don't think this is the end of the discussion of it in the town."
Cachopa did not return phone calls yesterday, but Town Manager Mark S. Stankiewicz said Cachopa is expected to appeal his conviction.
Turmoil in the Police Department has divided the town for years. A faction in the community ardently supported Cachopa, a graduate of the local high school and former football player.
He also has his detractors, who say he showed a lack of leadership and little control over his officers.
In 2003, the issue came to a boil when Cohen was accused of abusing his police power when he tried to collect a debt from a local businessman on behalf of a client of his private business. Cachopa was later accused of trying to cover up the complaint against Cohen.
Two selectmen, Robert Mullen Jr. and Gerald Goulston, criticized the chief and the department and voted against renewing Cachopa's contract as chief the same year. Goulston said yesterday that he thought Cachopa was popular but lacking the leadership skills needed to oversee a department with more than 50 officers.
Police supporters launched a successful campaign to recall both selectmen in 2004. Two new selectmen were installed who supported the reinstatement of Cachopa.
Goulston said in an interview yesterday that many living in Stoughton were afraid to speak out against the police.
"At one point in time right after the recall, people who did not support Cachopa as police chief were fearful," Goulston said. "It was frightening."
That new selectmen reinstated Cachopa as chief. It didn't last long. In 2005, Cachopa was indicted by the Norfolk district attorney's office on charges that he attempted to cover up for Cohen. The Board of Selectmen voted to put him on administrative leave with full pay, about $139,000 a year, as well as Cohen, who was paid about $160,000 over two years.
That was three years - and more than a half-million dollars - ago.
This month, Cachopa was convicted of attempted extortion. He is set to be sentenced Feb. 26, and faces up to seven years in prison. He did not return phone calls to his home yesterday.
In a phone interview yesterday, Goulston called the termination and conviction of Cachopa "a sad affair," noting that he could have stepped down as chief in 2003 when his contract was due to expire and avoided the whole mess.
Welch, who investigated the extortion case as an assistant to a special prosecutor for the Norfolk district attorney's office, was informed in 2005 that he would not be reappointed to his supervisor position. Welch could not be reached yesterday, but in winning his court case against the town, he was reinstated to a supervision position. The $165,000 judgment in state district court does not include interest or lawyers' fees.
Carrara, the selectman, defended the decision to put both Cachopa and Cohen on paid administrative leave yesterday, saying that Town Meeting could have voted to end the chief's pay but did not.
"Pay was given to them because, well . . . if we had stopped their pay and people lost houses and sicknesses ensued or whatever, the town would have been liable," Carrara said.
But others said yesterday that they felt vindicated by Cachopa's dismissal.
Arthur R. Tilton Sr. said his son was charged with assault and attempting to kidnap a 3-year-old from a Chinese restaurant in 2005, in what he believed was an effort by police to generate positive publicity as they faced growing controversy.
The charges against Arthur Tilton Jr. were eventually dropped. Tilton, it turned out, looked nothing like the person on a wanted poster and he was never clearly identified by the child's mother in mug shots, either, according to his lawyer, David Zwicker. The elder Tilton said the experience put his son "through hell." Friends and neighbors in Stoughton shunned him and he had a hard time getting work.
Thomas Murphy will remain the Police Department's acting chief.
Tilton said he's hopeful Stoughton can hire a new chief that can restore trust.
"Right now, it's starting to turn around," he said, adding this disclaimer: "But you know Stoughton."
Megan Woolhouse can be reached at mwoolhouse@globe.com.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
READER COMMENTS (21) Post a comment
Just another small town police department were corruption was uncovered. Good use of taxpayer money paying the corrupt cops a half million for not working. I wonder if the dopes running the town had a claw back provision to recover the half million if the cops were found guilty. Nah, that would require intelligence and concern for the taxpayer. Just another small town police department were corruption was uncovered. Good use of taxpayer money paying the corrupt cops a half million for not working. I wonder if the dopes running the town had a claw back provision to recover the half million if the cops were found guilty. Nah, that would require intelligence and concern for the taxpayer.
by ScheckyGreen February 15, 3:46 AM
Stoughton, don't be so hard on yourselves, these cases are becomimg more the rule than the exception. Police contracts should be put to a vote, only then will the people that pay the freight have any control over the gravy train. Stoughton, don't be so hard on yourselves, these cases are becomimg more the rule than the exception. Police contracts should be put to a vote, only then will the people that pay the freight have any control over the gravy train.
by blackhawk February 15, 7:19 AM
Robert Welch I commend you for your courage. Robert Welch I commend you for your courage.
by Anjelina February 15, 7:36 AM
Tilton should sue also - but NOT the taxpayers. The selectmen and policemen who intimidated, extorted, covered up, framed the innocent, then had teh audacity to reinstate - and compensate - criminals in positions of power should be personally liable - and their lucrative pensions ruled null and void. Tilton should sue also - but NOT the taxpayers. The selectmen and policemen who intimidated, extorted, covered up, framed the innocent, then had teh audacity to reinstate - and compensate - criminals in positions of power should be personally liable - and their lucrative pensions ruled null and void.
by BudgetAwareness February 15, 7:45 AM
So let me get this straight. We finally catch one of the bully cops in the act of breaking the law and intimidation at the point of a gun, fire them and we still have to pay them even though they no longer provide us a service. When you think about the logic that defends this system it will make your head spin. And it usually starts and ends with the word Union. The spineless board of selectman need to be replaced as well by a fair and tough breed.
Mr. Welch if you read these blogs. Thank You. Your act was truly brave.
We should pull the the admin pay from these thugs and give it to Mr. Welch and his family. Also, any cop who was involved in the Tilton incarceration should have their assets confiscated and transferred to Tilton himself.
by smarterjc February 15, 8:15 AM
Kowalcyk The chairman of the board of selectman,didn't even show up for the termination vote. He was quoted to say, He only ran in the recall election, to give Cachopa his job back ! He and Carrera,Levine, and Sousa should be sued and have to pay the town the $600K they voted to pay Cachopa during his "Paid Administrative Leave". Only Public sector employees get paid while under indictment ! The entire recall was run by union employees and union supporters.
This is a perfect example of what is wrong with this state,and the unionized democratic power machine !
Carrera is up for re-election,hopefully he resigns, or the town finally wakes up and Votes him out !
by Nomorehacks February 15, 8:59 AM
Haven't lived there for many years, but I'm embarassed for my hometown.
And as you attempt to fill the position, keep this in mind: maybe it's not a good idea for a local boy to become police chief.
by harrybosch February 15, 9:00 AM
Good point harryb, If they pick an insider, from what's been reported, there will always be internal strife within the department as well as the townspeople. Pick s proven outside leader who can hopefully bring back moral and integrity to the department. There are too many good cops there who don't deserve the bad press. Boston as well as some other towns did it and it seems to be working. But remember, there will always be the naysayers who have all the answers but somehow never climb up the ladder to put their ideas into play. to put their ideas into play.
by sammys February 15, 9:42 AM
What a sorry lot of selectmen and what a town. Sounds more like a herd of sheep! What a sorry lot of selectmen and what a town. Sounds more like a herd of sheep!
by Potlemac February 15, 9:42 AM
And...Robert Welch should be appointed chief for having the courage to do his job and to do it well in the face of so much opposition. If the town of Stoughton had any decency they should honor this man for doing his duty!
by Potlemac February 15, 9:45 AM
Any town dumb enough to elect a moron like Joe Mokrisky selectman gets exactly what it deserves!!! Any town dumb enough to elect a moron like Joe Mokrisky selectman gets exactly what it deserves!!!
by 2BigDee February 15, 9:58 AM
Mr Goulston and Mr Mullin were right. Manny was not qualified to be a police chief in any town. They were railroaded out of office by the three selectmen lackies who owe their elections to the Police Department and the Save our Stoughton group which is also the Police Department. Sgt Cohen was a victim of the Police Chief's lack of competance. I moved out of town after 43 years because the police department ran it. It won't change they pick another insider.
by movedfromstoughton February 15, 10:13 AM
Sgt. Welch should be commended by the public for what he went through, he and his family deserve far more than the award from the court. He has won his suit against the town and been vindicated. The investigation he conducted led to 2 indictments and 2 convictions, Sgt Welch is batting .1000. He is the honest, upstanding cop who was willing to take all the heat, including being demoted from chief of detectives. He should be the new Chief of Police, but since he won't be he should be put back in charge of detectives so there is someone competent to manage investigations in that position.
by topcorner February 15, 10:24 AM
I used to live in Stoughton,but as soon as I got a whiff of the corruption and cronyism I moved the heck out of the dump that the town has turned into. If you just look at the photo of the chief it speaks volumes as to what a swell guy he is.The town public works dept is so bloated with hacks that it could easily operate at half of its current capacity.The downtown area resembles San Paulo,Brazil (undocumented ,unregistered illegal aliens].And finally the selectmen who voted to pay these two corrupt cops should personally be held financially responsible for sticking it to the taxpayers of the town. A citizens arrest should be in order for these bums and force THEM to pay each payer the approximately $400 it cost to keep these criminals in the money.
by gerry70 February 15, 10:31 AM
Didn't Selectman Anastos hire Selectman Mokrisky for a position at Global Recycling, which Anastos owned, in 2000 in return for the Board of Selectmen turning a blind eye to serious environmental problems which existed at the Global Recycling plant???????
by 2BigDee February 15, 11:30 AM
Kowalcyk did indeed state that the only reason he ran in the recall election was to help out his pal the chief! Appalling isn't the word for this sort of hubris and cronyism. The Town of Stoughton should file a class action suit against the individual board members who were more concerned about making sure their idle, indicted friends were on the gravy train than they were the taxpayers of the town. At a minimum, might I suggest the Globe go a little further now in their investigative journalism? Kowalcyk did indeed state that the only reason he ran in the recall election was to help out his pal the chief! Appalling isn't the word for this sort of hubris and cronyism. The Town of Stoughton should file a class action suit against the individual board members who were more concerned about making sure their idle, indicted friends were on the gravy train than they were the taxpayers of the town. At a minimum, might I suggest the Globe go a little further now in their investigative journalism?
by floquick February 15, 12:14 PM
HaHaHaHa...I needed a good laugh .Is it Mayberry's Barney Fife or sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane of the Dukes of Hazzard.
by pia3 February 15, 3:02 PM
1) Fire everyone who backed Cachopa.
2) Remove the selectment who backed him.
3) The townspeople are bullied into silence with only two options, stay and fight or move.
4) Way to go Stoughton, you're making Randolf look awesome.
by iambull February 15, 3:13 PM
This is not over, civil law suits including kid knapping could add another 2 million onto the 1 million this has already cost. This will end up costing every tax payer in the town another $400 on thier property tax bill. Had they have terminated David 17 years ago for permently borrowing the scuba equipment from the department this would have never happened. I am not sure why as someone suggested before why liens could not be placed on property so the towns people can recover some of these damages?
by Barney447 February 15, 4:56 PM
He should have ran to Aruba like his daddy to escape a conviction? The ball does not bounce too far from the tree? Then again he only took $470,000 from investors that trusted him? Nothing compared to the big ponzi plays going on on wall street? The big lesson here is for police to stop sticking together (no coverups)and do what is right no matter if a buddy will get hurt in the process?
by Barney447 February 15, 6:51 PM
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
NEW VIDEO AT RIGHT-------------------------------------->
At right you will notice a block of three videos that appeared on YouTube yesterday. They are the actual video footage of our Town Moderater, falsely quoting the law, in order to stop someone from exercising their rights under the NH Constitution to take photos of town officials in public meetings. This is CLEARLY a violation of RSA 91A:2, II. Which states;
II. Subject to the provisions of RSA 91-A:3, all meetings, whether held in person, by means of telephone or electronic communication, or in any other manner, shall be open to the public. Except for town meetings, school district meetings, and elections, no vote while in open session may be taken by secret ballot. Any person shall be permitted to use recording devices, including, but not limited to, tape recorders, cameras, and videotape equipment, at such meetings.
II. Subject to the provisions of RSA 91-A:3, all meetings, whether held in person, by means of telephone or electronic communication, or in any other manner, shall be open to the public. Except for town meetings, school district meetings, and elections, no vote while in open session may be taken by secret ballot. Any person shall be permitted to use recording devices, including, but not limited to, tape recorders, cameras, and videotape equipment, at such meetings.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
State OK's water company plan for 2
From the Eagle Tribune;
State OK's water company plan for 2
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Construction could begin this summer on a water main connection between Atkinson and Hampstead that would provide both towns with a backup water system.
The Hampstead Area Water Company gained approval from the state Public Utility Commission last week to borrow $1.1 million from the state to lay 15,000 feet of water main along Route 121 between the two towns.
"It's going to provide water to parts of the towns that don't have it," said Harold Morse, president of the water company.
The private water systems in each town serve about 1,000 customers, and a connection between the two would mean a backup system would be in place in case of an emergency. The connection also means that residents in both towns without municipal water could be connected to the system, Morse said.
But resident Bill Bennett, who spoke at a commission hearing in November against the loan, said he's still concerned the water company will use this pipeline to transport groundwater out of Atkinson. Atkinson doesn't have much undeveloped land while Hampstead has plenty where new homes could be built, Bennett said.
"I think his companies are looking at building up in Hampstead and supplying water from Atkinson," Bennett said.
The water company is owned by the Lewis Builders Inc., which also own a development company, building supply companies and the Atkinson Country Club.
Bennett said he's also concerned the water company is wasting water and it needs this connection to make up for that loss.
During the November hearing, Bennett said the Atkinson water system loses about 33 percent of its water or about 140,000 gallons per day. However, PUC engineers disagreed, saying the data Bennett used as evidence was inaccurate.
The water company will report the amount of lost water on a monthly basis to the PUC and the state Department of Environmental Services, according to the report.
In addition to the loan, the water company will use a $312,840 grant from the state Department of Environmental Services to help make its loan payments. DES has already approved the project.
The two municipalities could also benefit from the connection.
The new line could supply water for new fire hydrants. New hydrants aren't in the current plans but they could be added, Morse said.
To help pay for the connection, customers will see an increase after the construction is complete, according to the PUC order.
The average customer's bill is $424, but would see an increase of about $58 per year, according to a rate increase approved on Jan. 16 by the commission.
But the water company doesn't get the money right away.
First, Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council have to sign off on the loan. The water company still has to develop engineering plans and bid the project. But Morse said he expects work to begin this summer.
In the meantime, Bennett said he plans to write to Lynch and the council about his concerns.
Bennett said, "$1.1 million does not need to go to a private business so they can make money off it."
The money is from the state's Revolving Loan Fund, administered by DES. The water company has 20 years to repay the loan at an interest rate of just over 4.2 percent.
The PUC concluded the project is "consistent with the public good."
State OK's water company plan for 2
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Construction could begin this summer on a water main connection between Atkinson and Hampstead that would provide both towns with a backup water system.
The Hampstead Area Water Company gained approval from the state Public Utility Commission last week to borrow $1.1 million from the state to lay 15,000 feet of water main along Route 121 between the two towns.
"It's going to provide water to parts of the towns that don't have it," said Harold Morse, president of the water company.
The private water systems in each town serve about 1,000 customers, and a connection between the two would mean a backup system would be in place in case of an emergency. The connection also means that residents in both towns without municipal water could be connected to the system, Morse said.
But resident Bill Bennett, who spoke at a commission hearing in November against the loan, said he's still concerned the water company will use this pipeline to transport groundwater out of Atkinson. Atkinson doesn't have much undeveloped land while Hampstead has plenty where new homes could be built, Bennett said.
"I think his companies are looking at building up in Hampstead and supplying water from Atkinson," Bennett said.
The water company is owned by the Lewis Builders Inc., which also own a development company, building supply companies and the Atkinson Country Club.
Bennett said he's also concerned the water company is wasting water and it needs this connection to make up for that loss.
During the November hearing, Bennett said the Atkinson water system loses about 33 percent of its water or about 140,000 gallons per day. However, PUC engineers disagreed, saying the data Bennett used as evidence was inaccurate.
The water company will report the amount of lost water on a monthly basis to the PUC and the state Department of Environmental Services, according to the report.
In addition to the loan, the water company will use a $312,840 grant from the state Department of Environmental Services to help make its loan payments. DES has already approved the project.
The two municipalities could also benefit from the connection.
The new line could supply water for new fire hydrants. New hydrants aren't in the current plans but they could be added, Morse said.
To help pay for the connection, customers will see an increase after the construction is complete, according to the PUC order.
The average customer's bill is $424, but would see an increase of about $58 per year, according to a rate increase approved on Jan. 16 by the commission.
But the water company doesn't get the money right away.
First, Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council have to sign off on the loan. The water company still has to develop engineering plans and bid the project. But Morse said he expects work to begin this summer.
In the meantime, Bennett said he plans to write to Lynch and the council about his concerns.
Bennett said, "$1.1 million does not need to go to a private business so they can make money off it."
The money is from the state's Revolving Loan Fund, administered by DES. The water company has 20 years to repay the loan at an interest rate of just over 4.2 percent.
The PUC concluded the project is "consistent with the public good."
Friday, February 13, 2009
Atkinson delays search for next town administrator
From the Eagle Tribune;
Atkinson delays search for next town administrator
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — The town will have to wait another couple of weeks for a new — or interim — town administrator.
Selectmen said this week that they are planning to wait until after the March election to hire someone for the job, even on an interim basis.
A temporary administrative employee, Dani Carville, has been on the job helping administrative assistant Barbara Snicer in the meantime.
Selectmen's Chairman Paul Sullivan said he'd like the selectmen to make the decision after a new board is seated in March.
Sullivan's position will be up next month and he is not running for re-election.
"If we found somebody, it would be appropriate for the new board to make the decision," Sullivan said.
Selectman candidate William Bennett said hiring a town administrator will be a high priority and he would prefer a candidate who would work in town long-term.
Unfortunately, that doesn't always work out like planned.
Former Town Administrator Steven Angelo resigned abruptly two weeks ago, citing difficulty selling his Cape Cod home and a need to spend more time with his family. He held the position for less than five months.
Angelo's departure made him the third person to leave the job in a year.
"Having that as your goal doesn't mean you're going to have that as the outcome," Bennett said.
He declined to comment on any strategies for hiring, but said the selectmen would look for someone who could handle the day-to-day operations of the job to help the selectmen run the town.
The only other selectman candidate on the ballot, Leon Artus, declined to comment on whether he is still seeking the seat.
After three years as a selectman and three years on the Budget Committee, Sullivan said he decided to step down to spend more time at work and for personal reasons.
Sullivan works in marketing and after spending a lot of time dealing with lawsuits during his first two years as a selectman, he said he needs to spend more time at his day job.
He said this past year, where he served as chairman, has been the most successful.
"This past year, we just wanted to move forward," Sullivan said.
Atkinson delays search for next town administrator
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — The town will have to wait another couple of weeks for a new — or interim — town administrator.
Selectmen said this week that they are planning to wait until after the March election to hire someone for the job, even on an interim basis.
A temporary administrative employee, Dani Carville, has been on the job helping administrative assistant Barbara Snicer in the meantime.
Selectmen's Chairman Paul Sullivan said he'd like the selectmen to make the decision after a new board is seated in March.
Sullivan's position will be up next month and he is not running for re-election.
"If we found somebody, it would be appropriate for the new board to make the decision," Sullivan said.
Selectman candidate William Bennett said hiring a town administrator will be a high priority and he would prefer a candidate who would work in town long-term.
Unfortunately, that doesn't always work out like planned.
Former Town Administrator Steven Angelo resigned abruptly two weeks ago, citing difficulty selling his Cape Cod home and a need to spend more time with his family. He held the position for less than five months.
Angelo's departure made him the third person to leave the job in a year.
"Having that as your goal doesn't mean you're going to have that as the outcome," Bennett said.
He declined to comment on any strategies for hiring, but said the selectmen would look for someone who could handle the day-to-day operations of the job to help the selectmen run the town.
The only other selectman candidate on the ballot, Leon Artus, declined to comment on whether he is still seeking the seat.
After three years as a selectman and three years on the Budget Committee, Sullivan said he decided to step down to spend more time at work and for personal reasons.
Sullivan works in marketing and after spending a lot of time dealing with lawsuits during his first two years as a selectman, he said he needs to spend more time at his day job.
He said this past year, where he served as chairman, has been the most successful.
"This past year, we just wanted to move forward," Sullivan said.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Selectmen Sullivan does the right thing, with help of Selectmen Friel.
Please accept as an article submission
So, What should it cost you to get a DVD copy of a meeting.
In Atkinson the price is apparently $165.00
That is the price given to me by the selectmen's office when I came by to pick up a copy of deliberative session. They also suggested I speak to the selectmen about it, So I did. And Selectman Sullivan returned my phone call, explaining that the price would be the same as it has always been, which is $15.00! Had he not acted to serve the townspeople thusly, the following would have been the story.
Now, normally the cost of a dvd copy of a meeting is $15.00, and, in fact, that is the price quoted to me by the Cable TV station manager, Mr. Williams. That is what it always has been, I have gotten numerous meetings dvd's and it has always been $15.00.
However, according to the selectmen's office, it NOW costs $15.00 for the DVD itself, PLUS $15.00/hr, of the station manager's time to prepare it, according to the person I spoke to, it took him 10 hours to make my dvd copy! This is not true, of course, but it is a great way to keep people from being able to privately view past meetings.
And it is ILLEGAL!
Here is what RSA91-A:4 says;
IV. Each public body or agency shall, upon request for any governmental record reasonably described, make available for inspection and copying any such governmental record within its files when such records are immediately available for such release. If a public body or agency is unable to make a governmental record available for immediate inspection and copying, it shall, within 5 business days of request, make such record available, deny the request in writing with reasons, or furnish written acknowledgment of the receipt of the request and a statement of the time reasonably necessary to determine whether the request shall be granted or denied. If a computer, photocopying machine, or other device maintained for use by a public body or agency is used by the public body or agency to copy the governmental record requested, the person requesting the copy may be charged the actual cost of providing the copy, which cost may be collected by the public body or agency. Nothing in this section shall exempt any person from paying fees otherwise established by law for obtaining copies of governmental records or documents, but if such fee is established for the copy, no additional costs or fees shall be charged.
Now the defining case law on this subject is Cioffe v. Sanbornton, 01- E - 022. part of the Order is as follows;
The petitioner, Anne Cioffi, brought this action to enforce her rights under RSA chapter 91-A (the New Hampshire "Right to Know" law). Specifically, she asks the Court to Order the respondent, Town of Sanbornton (the "Town"), to comply with the requirements of the statute. The petitioner also seeks a permanent injunction enjoining the Town from violating the provisions of RSA 91-A and a declaration that copying costs established by the Town are unreasonable....The petitioner, after expressing an interest in Town business, encountered certain obstacles. First, she observed that the Town did not post notices of public meetings or that it posted notices in locations where it was highly unlikely they would be seen. Second, minutes of selectmen meetings did not always accurately reflect what had transpired. Third, the frequency of non-public sessions increased dramatically in the last two years. The reasons stated in support of the Selectmen’s decision to enter into a non-public session were vague—the Selectmen would only state that they needed to discuss a "personnel issue" or an employee. When the petitioner asked to see minutes of the non-public sessions, she was told that none were taken and, therefore, they were unavailable. Lastly, the petitioner complains that an October 1999 increase in the charge for copying imposes an unreasonable barrier to the public’s right to know....The petitioner’s concerns did not arise in a vacuum. Town citizens were becoming increasingly polarized because of several controversial substantive issues. One such issue involved a salary advance given to the Town Chief of Police, which was polarizing because, inter alia, the public learned of it after the fact. Another substantive issue involved certain accounting discrepancies reported by the Town Trustees of Trust Funds.1 Town citizens were also concerned about the Road Agent’s management of his department and management of the Road Agent by the Selectmen. This controversy was exacerbated because the Selectmen would meet regularly with the Road Agent in non-public sessions....Based on the foregoing, the petitioner’s request for relief is GRANTED as follows:
1. The Town shall modify its check signing process, either by making the check manifest a part of the agenda included in the meeting notice, or by otherwise stating during the public meeting what action the Selectmen are taking when they sign a check. This order shall not be construed as requiring the Selectmen to reveal information recognized by RSA 91-A as confidential, so long as the board goes through the RSA 91-A process of conducting such business in a non-public session.
2. Because the this action played a significant part in causing the Town to correct its procedures as set forth in the minutes of the May 30, 2001 meeting, the petitioner is awarded her costs. The petitioner shall file an affidavit specifying said costs within 20 days of the issuance of this order.
Now, I know... All of this sounds very similar to what has been going on in Atkinson.
But the law is clear, the Town may charge THEIR ACTUAL COST TO PRODUCE THAT DVD. That is it!
So What is the Town's cost to produce the DVD copy that you purchase?
1.) I can buy 50 dual layer recordable DVD's for $24.99
2.) 24.99/50= $0.50
3.) It takes Mr. Williams no more than 2 minutes to load the blank DVD, and press the button, then he does other things while the recording is being made.
4.) I dont know his salary, but for the sake of argument, lets say he makes $25.00/hr.
5.) 25.00/60= $0.42/ minute x 2 minutes= $0.84
So the Towns true cost of producing the copy of the meeting for me is, $1.34.
Thank you Selectman Sullivan for once again proving his character and integrity, and the same to Selectman Friel, Thank you Gentlemen.
--- Mark Acciard
So, What should it cost you to get a DVD copy of a meeting.
In Atkinson the price is apparently $165.00
That is the price given to me by the selectmen's office when I came by to pick up a copy of deliberative session. They also suggested I speak to the selectmen about it, So I did. And Selectman Sullivan returned my phone call, explaining that the price would be the same as it has always been, which is $15.00! Had he not acted to serve the townspeople thusly, the following would have been the story.
Now, normally the cost of a dvd copy of a meeting is $15.00, and, in fact, that is the price quoted to me by the Cable TV station manager, Mr. Williams. That is what it always has been, I have gotten numerous meetings dvd's and it has always been $15.00.
However, according to the selectmen's office, it NOW costs $15.00 for the DVD itself, PLUS $15.00/hr, of the station manager's time to prepare it, according to the person I spoke to, it took him 10 hours to make my dvd copy! This is not true, of course, but it is a great way to keep people from being able to privately view past meetings.
And it is ILLEGAL!
Here is what RSA91-A:4 says;
IV. Each public body or agency shall, upon request for any governmental record reasonably described, make available for inspection and copying any such governmental record within its files when such records are immediately available for such release. If a public body or agency is unable to make a governmental record available for immediate inspection and copying, it shall, within 5 business days of request, make such record available, deny the request in writing with reasons, or furnish written acknowledgment of the receipt of the request and a statement of the time reasonably necessary to determine whether the request shall be granted or denied. If a computer, photocopying machine, or other device maintained for use by a public body or agency is used by the public body or agency to copy the governmental record requested, the person requesting the copy may be charged the actual cost of providing the copy, which cost may be collected by the public body or agency. Nothing in this section shall exempt any person from paying fees otherwise established by law for obtaining copies of governmental records or documents, but if such fee is established for the copy, no additional costs or fees shall be charged.
Now the defining case law on this subject is Cioffe v. Sanbornton, 01- E - 022. part of the Order is as follows;
The petitioner, Anne Cioffi, brought this action to enforce her rights under RSA chapter 91-A (the New Hampshire "Right to Know" law). Specifically, she asks the Court to Order the respondent, Town of Sanbornton (the "Town"), to comply with the requirements of the statute. The petitioner also seeks a permanent injunction enjoining the Town from violating the provisions of RSA 91-A and a declaration that copying costs established by the Town are unreasonable....The petitioner, after expressing an interest in Town business, encountered certain obstacles. First, she observed that the Town did not post notices of public meetings or that it posted notices in locations where it was highly unlikely they would be seen. Second, minutes of selectmen meetings did not always accurately reflect what had transpired. Third, the frequency of non-public sessions increased dramatically in the last two years. The reasons stated in support of the Selectmen’s decision to enter into a non-public session were vague—the Selectmen would only state that they needed to discuss a "personnel issue" or an employee. When the petitioner asked to see minutes of the non-public sessions, she was told that none were taken and, therefore, they were unavailable. Lastly, the petitioner complains that an October 1999 increase in the charge for copying imposes an unreasonable barrier to the public’s right to know....The petitioner’s concerns did not arise in a vacuum. Town citizens were becoming increasingly polarized because of several controversial substantive issues. One such issue involved a salary advance given to the Town Chief of Police, which was polarizing because, inter alia, the public learned of it after the fact. Another substantive issue involved certain accounting discrepancies reported by the Town Trustees of Trust Funds.1 Town citizens were also concerned about the Road Agent’s management of his department and management of the Road Agent by the Selectmen. This controversy was exacerbated because the Selectmen would meet regularly with the Road Agent in non-public sessions....Based on the foregoing, the petitioner’s request for relief is GRANTED as follows:
1. The Town shall modify its check signing process, either by making the check manifest a part of the agenda included in the meeting notice, or by otherwise stating during the public meeting what action the Selectmen are taking when they sign a check. This order shall not be construed as requiring the Selectmen to reveal information recognized by RSA 91-A as confidential, so long as the board goes through the RSA 91-A process of conducting such business in a non-public session.
2. Because the this action played a significant part in causing the Town to correct its procedures as set forth in the minutes of the May 30, 2001 meeting, the petitioner is awarded her costs. The petitioner shall file an affidavit specifying said costs within 20 days of the issuance of this order.
Now, I know... All of this sounds very similar to what has been going on in Atkinson.
But the law is clear, the Town may charge THEIR ACTUAL COST TO PRODUCE THAT DVD. That is it!
So What is the Town's cost to produce the DVD copy that you purchase?
1.) I can buy 50 dual layer recordable DVD's for $24.99
2.) 24.99/50= $0.50
3.) It takes Mr. Williams no more than 2 minutes to load the blank DVD, and press the button, then he does other things while the recording is being made.
4.) I dont know his salary, but for the sake of argument, lets say he makes $25.00/hr.
5.) 25.00/60= $0.42/ minute x 2 minutes= $0.84
So the Towns true cost of producing the copy of the meeting for me is, $1.34.
Thank you Selectman Sullivan for once again proving his character and integrity, and the same to Selectman Friel, Thank you Gentlemen.
--- Mark Acciard
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Timberlane parents question student grouping plan Decision
From the Eagle Tribune;
Timberlane parents question student grouping plan Decision recommended by accreditation group
By Margo Sullivan
margosullivan@eagletribune.com
PLAISTOW — About 50 parents attended last night's Parent Teacher Student Association meeting to let school officials know they are still skeptical about a move to randomly mix students of differing abilities - a recommendation made by an accreditation panel.
Timberlane Regional High School Principal Donald Woodworth said the decision to mix students in a freshman year physical science class was developed from comments made last spring by the visiting committee of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
NEASC, the regional accrediting association, found more classes at Timberlane were "tracked," or separated according to students' academic ability, than the school's self-study indicated. The visiting committee said the tracking did not "provide high expectations for all students" and did not reflect current education research and best practices.
The issue about grouping students sparked a controversy last month when Peter Bealo, a Plaistow resident, drew other parents' attention to a goal in the school district's proposed strategic plan. The goal suggested the district intended to end "tracking"- the practice of grouping students by ability in the same classes.
More than 200 parents commented on the plan, Woodworth said. On Friday, school officials revised the draft to drop the phrase "non-leveled" and make the goal to create equal opportunities for all students.
Nancy Steenson, a Danville mother, questioned last night why the best students should take physical science in the same class with less studious youngsters and not as an accelerated class. She asked Woodworth and Assistant Superintendent Winfried Feneberg how they thought random — or heterogeneous grouping — would help all the students succeed.
Woodworth said mixed classes will work well for entry- level classes, such as basic science, and there is no reason to presume some students should automatically be placed in an accelerated class.
In his experience, the most gifted are not always the top students, Woodworth said. He wants less-gifted students who have the desire to succeed to have a chance to prove they deserve to be in an accelerated classes.
Almost all the parents interviewed said they attended last night's meeting to hear about the new course and the strategic plan on the drawing board.
"The big item on the agenda is homogenous grouping," said Kevin Geary, a Sandown parent. "It sounds good to theorists only" unless the district provides "extensive teacher training."
Sarah Machemer of Plaistow has four children in local schools. She attended the event to find out if the changes would diminish her children's education.
"I would like to find out more specifics," she said. "I want to make sure my youngest is going to get the same quality education as my oldest."
Timberlane parents question student grouping plan Decision recommended by accreditation group
By Margo Sullivan
margosullivan@eagletribune.com
PLAISTOW — About 50 parents attended last night's Parent Teacher Student Association meeting to let school officials know they are still skeptical about a move to randomly mix students of differing abilities - a recommendation made by an accreditation panel.
Timberlane Regional High School Principal Donald Woodworth said the decision to mix students in a freshman year physical science class was developed from comments made last spring by the visiting committee of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
NEASC, the regional accrediting association, found more classes at Timberlane were "tracked," or separated according to students' academic ability, than the school's self-study indicated. The visiting committee said the tracking did not "provide high expectations for all students" and did not reflect current education research and best practices.
The issue about grouping students sparked a controversy last month when Peter Bealo, a Plaistow resident, drew other parents' attention to a goal in the school district's proposed strategic plan. The goal suggested the district intended to end "tracking"- the practice of grouping students by ability in the same classes.
More than 200 parents commented on the plan, Woodworth said. On Friday, school officials revised the draft to drop the phrase "non-leveled" and make the goal to create equal opportunities for all students.
Nancy Steenson, a Danville mother, questioned last night why the best students should take physical science in the same class with less studious youngsters and not as an accelerated class. She asked Woodworth and Assistant Superintendent Winfried Feneberg how they thought random — or heterogeneous grouping — would help all the students succeed.
Woodworth said mixed classes will work well for entry- level classes, such as basic science, and there is no reason to presume some students should automatically be placed in an accelerated class.
In his experience, the most gifted are not always the top students, Woodworth said. He wants less-gifted students who have the desire to succeed to have a chance to prove they deserve to be in an accelerated classes.
Almost all the parents interviewed said they attended last night's meeting to hear about the new course and the strategic plan on the drawing board.
"The big item on the agenda is homogenous grouping," said Kevin Geary, a Sandown parent. "It sounds good to theorists only" unless the district provides "extensive teacher training."
Sarah Machemer of Plaistow has four children in local schools. She attended the event to find out if the changes would diminish her children's education.
"I would like to find out more specifics," she said. "I want to make sure my youngest is going to get the same quality education as my oldest."
Sunday, February 8, 2009
What is the TRUTH about the Police Dept. Budget?
Please accept this as an article submission;
Does our police dept. operate on a shoestring, as Jack Sapia, so hysterically claimed at deliberative session?
Or is the truth somewhat different?
Well here are the facts;
Every year Our police dept. budgets 10,400 full time hours, 8,760 part time hours, And our PT Chief who is limited by law to 1,300 hours per year.
The hours listed are PATROL hours, they do not include hours budgeted for dispatch, clerical, school crossing, et.al.
We currently have, as Jack announced at deliberative session, ONE patrol officer on each shift! Same as we had in 2000, when the budget was $300,000.
There are 8,360 hours in a year! So we are spending 20,000 man hours to cover 8,360 hours. I know the math doesn't work out, does it?
We heard the budget committee's Fred Thompson try to explain away this vast difference by saying it was taken up with Vacation, sick time and holiday time, but that math doesn't work either.
You have 5 FT officers that get benefits.
2wks. Vacation(80 hours) x 5 officers= 400 man hours.
11 paid holidays(88 hours) x 5 officers= 440 man hours.
10 sick days(80 hours) x 5 officers= 400 man hours.
So here is the math;
20,000 man hours budgeted
-8,360 man hours spent patrolling the town.
-1,240 man hours covering vacation, holiday, sick time.
__________
10,400 man hours we have paid for, but are unaccounted for.
Take out the 2000 hours for the Lt.
You still have 8,400 hours unaccounted for. That is an ENTIRE YEAR OF PATROL TIME WASTED!
So much for simplistic calculations, lets look at the money;
I asked, at deliberative session, why the dept. was costing us $767,000 this year, when last year we spent only $643,000?
Yes I am well aware, and sorely miss Cpl. Lapham, and Sgt. Kinney, but they have served to demonstrate the waste in the PD.
Please understand, last year police services were provided to the town without interruption, or degradation in services. Tickets were issued, court cases were prosecuted, arrests were made, halloween went off without a hitch, calls were answered, in short; everything the PD was supposed to do, they did, and they did it by SPENDING ONLY $643,000.00.
So If we could do all of that for only $643,000 last year, why is it going to cost us $767,000 this year?
Yes, I know, that we covered the shifts with part timers, but that just means that we should be doing that all the time, after all that is why we have 18 part time slots!
I was told by the chairman of the budget committee at that meeting that they dont run the PD. Well that is true, but, by law, the budget committee, is charged with finding the appropriate funding level for every dept. in town. They have enormous power and authority to gather information from any town official, or outside the town. When I chaired that committee, we compared budgets of surrounding similarly situated towns, such as Hampstead, and Sandown. Hampstead's police budget this year is $809,000, with a town that is 40% larger, 2 more full time officers, 2+ patrol officers on each shift, 40% more business.
Does this make any fiscal sense?
Take the personalities out of this article, ad look at the numbers, can anyone say that this is a necessary expenditure? Can anyone say that this job could not be done for less, as we did last year?
Signed,
MArk Acciard
Does our police dept. operate on a shoestring, as Jack Sapia, so hysterically claimed at deliberative session?
Or is the truth somewhat different?
Well here are the facts;
Every year Our police dept. budgets 10,400 full time hours, 8,760 part time hours, And our PT Chief who is limited by law to 1,300 hours per year.
The hours listed are PATROL hours, they do not include hours budgeted for dispatch, clerical, school crossing, et.al.
We currently have, as Jack announced at deliberative session, ONE patrol officer on each shift! Same as we had in 2000, when the budget was $300,000.
There are 8,360 hours in a year! So we are spending 20,000 man hours to cover 8,360 hours. I know the math doesn't work out, does it?
We heard the budget committee's Fred Thompson try to explain away this vast difference by saying it was taken up with Vacation, sick time and holiday time, but that math doesn't work either.
You have 5 FT officers that get benefits.
2wks. Vacation(80 hours) x 5 officers= 400 man hours.
11 paid holidays(88 hours) x 5 officers= 440 man hours.
10 sick days(80 hours) x 5 officers= 400 man hours.
So here is the math;
20,000 man hours budgeted
-8,360 man hours spent patrolling the town.
-1,240 man hours covering vacation, holiday, sick time.
__________
10,400 man hours we have paid for, but are unaccounted for.
Take out the 2000 hours for the Lt.
You still have 8,400 hours unaccounted for. That is an ENTIRE YEAR OF PATROL TIME WASTED!
So much for simplistic calculations, lets look at the money;
I asked, at deliberative session, why the dept. was costing us $767,000 this year, when last year we spent only $643,000?
Yes I am well aware, and sorely miss Cpl. Lapham, and Sgt. Kinney, but they have served to demonstrate the waste in the PD.
Please understand, last year police services were provided to the town without interruption, or degradation in services. Tickets were issued, court cases were prosecuted, arrests were made, halloween went off without a hitch, calls were answered, in short; everything the PD was supposed to do, they did, and they did it by SPENDING ONLY $643,000.00.
So If we could do all of that for only $643,000 last year, why is it going to cost us $767,000 this year?
Yes, I know, that we covered the shifts with part timers, but that just means that we should be doing that all the time, after all that is why we have 18 part time slots!
I was told by the chairman of the budget committee at that meeting that they dont run the PD. Well that is true, but, by law, the budget committee, is charged with finding the appropriate funding level for every dept. in town. They have enormous power and authority to gather information from any town official, or outside the town. When I chaired that committee, we compared budgets of surrounding similarly situated towns, such as Hampstead, and Sandown. Hampstead's police budget this year is $809,000, with a town that is 40% larger, 2 more full time officers, 2+ patrol officers on each shift, 40% more business.
Does this make any fiscal sense?
Take the personalities out of this article, ad look at the numbers, can anyone say that this is a necessary expenditure? Can anyone say that this job could not be done for less, as we did last year?
Signed,
MArk Acciard
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