NEWPORT, Maine — Citing a pattern of public comments by one of their own regarding town employees, and after being served with a notice of intent to file a major lawsuit against the town, Newport selectmen voted last Wednesday to ask for the resignation of Selectman Christopher Dow.
The vote had no actual power, since the town has no process for removing a selectman, but it sent a message to Dow that the board has lost faith in his ability to serve.
Dow said Friday he would not resign.
The Newport board, which consists of five members, has been fractured for months, with insults and sniping escalating at each session. Dow has clashed often and heatedly with Town Manager James Ricker.
Ricker confirmed Friday that a town employee had filed an intent to sue the town over comments made in what he referred to as an illegal executive session.
He would not discuss details of the suit or name the employee involved, saying only that it is pending litigation.
Several weeks ago, Dow asked for an executive session at the end of the regular meeting. When Ricker inquired about the reason for the session, Dow said it was Ricker.
The session was held and since it is still being determined whether it was legal, neither Dow nor Ricker will discuss what was said in the confidential setting. The town employee, however, learned of comments made in that session and filed the suit.
In a formal statement released Friday, Ricker acknowledged the animosity within the Board of Selectmen.
He wrote: “The majority of the Newport Board of Selectmen have become increasingly concerned about public comments by one of the selectmen. The majority finds the comments and opinions expressed in public meetings to be careless and without regard for veracity or truthfulness.
“Many of the comments are directed at the integrity of town employees resulting in the possible damage to the reputations of these employees. Members have been cautioned repeatedly that opinions about employees should not be expressed publicly, but rather in executive sessions, or directly with the town manager in accordance to state law and personnel guidelines.”
Ricker continued: “The Board conferred with its legal counsel at its last meeting and has been advised on the proper way for its members to communicate concerns about personnel.”
After that meeting with the attorney, the board passed a motion requesting Dow’s resignation. A second motion also was passed that stated that the board could not spend any funds to represent a board member if his remarks or actions were “irresponsible, misguided or a result of personal issues.”
Dow said Friday he had no intention of resigning. “I love a challenge,” he said. He acknowledged that there was a great deal of unrest on the board, but denied that he had lost confidence in Ricker’s ability as town manager.
Dow said that in the past he was very upset about the town’s bid process, particularly after he acquired a contract and subsequently lost it when Ricker failed to notice a detail in the bid Dow submitted.
Dow also said he was seeking a legal interpretation about the executive session. “I believe that session was legal and any information from that session should never have been revealed to the public,” he said. “Nothing should have been repeated outside that meeting.”
Dow would not comment further on the statement released by the town, saying, “I need to protect myself.”