WARREN, Maine — The Knox County Sheriff’s Office has referred its investigation into an altercation between the chairman of the board of selectmen and the town’s public works supervisor to the district attorney’s office.
The district attorney’s office reported Tuesday that it has yet to screen the police reports concerning the alleged altercation Nov. 5 on the property of public works supervisor Doug Gammon.
Gammon said Tuesday he remains on paid administrative leave. Town Manager Elaine Clark confirmed last week during a selectmen’s meeting that she put Gammon on leave for a cooling down period and to allow her to investigate the incident that occurred between him and Selectmen Board Chairman Michael York.
Clark said Tuesday she is still interviewing people about the incident. While she initially ordered Gammon to stay off town property, Clark added Tuesday that she had since lifted that ban.
York has not commented on the matter. On Tuesday, he again declined to comment, saying it was a personnel matter.
Gammon said Tuesday that the incident involved a town public works vehicle that had broken down and was parked on a turnaround next to his property on the Tolman Road in Warren. Gammon said Selectman Ed LaFlamme came over to his place on Nov. 5 to inquire about why the town truck was parked where it was. Gammon would not say anything more about his discussion with LaFlamme other than that he asked the selectman to leave his property and LaFlamme left.
Shortly afterward, however, York also showed up at Gammon’s home concerning the vehicle, Gammon said. Again, Gammon would not elaborate on the discussion, but said that York struck him before leaving.
At last week’s selectmen meeting, residents criticized the town for not giving out more information about the incident. Clark said she could not comment further because it involved a personnel matter that is private under state law. Residents questioned why Gammon was barred from being on town property while York was allowed to come and go. Clark said she has no authority over selectmen.
The public works garage and town office are on the same lot in town.
Gammon said he was going to get the vehicle that was next to his property repaired when the incident occurred. He referred other questions to his attorney.
The town manager said Tuesday that the truck in question is back on town property.