email sent to my representatives who work for me/us (supposed to)
jeff bennett
Fri 8/25/2023 2:00 AM
Regarding recent post to town website showing political activity using town resources and state ethics law.
Town administrator, selectman, fire chief, police chief, advisory chair, emd manager used town letterhead and town website to advertise and state personal political view using town (public) resources. First question, did select board chair and advisory chair sign on behalf of their respective boards / committees? If so, where can I find the vote? Where can I find minutes of the meetings?
regards,
Jeff Bennett
I have an email partially written up to the State Ethics Commission regarding this matter as we speak.
ReplyDeleteI've been debating on whether to complete it or not as they are already facing an OML and another Ethic violation on Caplis is going to cost most likely.......
Ethics Commission now driving this bus...............enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize that this also violates Templeton personnel policies:
ReplyDeleteSECTION 4: CONDUCT AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Employees of The Town of Templeton must adhere to the highest levels of ethical conduct and service so
that the public will have confidence that persons in positions of public responsibility are acting for the
benefit of the public. Employees must avoid any action which might result in or create the impression of
using public office for private gain, giving preferential treatment to any person, or losing impartiality in
conducting Town business. Town employees are required to adhere at all times to the requirements of
M.G.L. c. 268A, the Massachusetts State Ethics law.
Intentional or willful acts void Indemnification in employee contracts. The town should not cover the response, defense or penalties that may result.
ReplyDeleteA letter I sent today.
ReplyDeleteTo whom might be concerned,
It is my understanding that a State Ethic Complaint has been filed against Adam Lamontagne, Mike Currie, Chief Bennett, Dave Dickie, John Caplis and Richard Curtis.
The below has nothing to do with HR4420 other than the method town employees abused their Office.
It is my contention that all of these individuals signed the Opposition letter to HR 4420 voluntarily with the intent to influence our elected State representatives which is in direct conflict with a "reminder" letter sent out by the State Ethic Commission on 9/10/2020. and Advisory 11-1 Public Employee political activity from 2011. The letter is written on Official town letterhead, using Official Town Titles which reinforces the point that it was done on public time using public funds, public supplies, implying public support all without any public forum.
I believe this shows intentional conduct which nullifies these employees Indemnification per their employment contracts. I see nothing in the Personnel, Employee Contracts that dispute my assertion so I would like to verify that no public funds or time will be used in responding to this complaint or any actions as a result of said complaint.
Taxpayers are not liable for intentional bad acts by employees. It is a shame that the Administrator of the Town did not fulfill his job duties. Not only didn't the Town Administrator redirect whomever was promoting this but the Town Administrator stepped outside his job descriptions/duties by participating in political action as an Official of Templeton. Nothing in his Job Description covers this unless He was told directly by Michael Currie (Chairman of the Board of Selectman). So did Mike solicit Adam to violate State Ethics or did Adam do it on his own, or did the two of them collude to violate State Ethics? Only three options I see. Is this the Select board Chair overstepping his authority, spending town money on political action?How did this happen between all these town officials?
Rational for lack of indemnification in basic terms for members, below.
Templeton does not have a fire Chief per the expired (6/30/23) contract listed on official town website so I assume Dave Dickie is actually covered by our town personnel policy which does not mention indemnification. Does Dave even live in Town while wanting special political speech for the Town.
Richard Curtis would be under personnel as no contrary contract is listed or established.
Mike Currie is Chairman of Select board, Director/Treasurer Friends of Templeton Veterans (501 c3 organization) . He is stuck with the same Personnel Policy he offers employees which does not mention indemnification. Did Mike direct Adam to misuse town resources? Didn't Mike make a promise at the May 24 Board meeting regarding following rules et al? Great job
Chief Bennett has a contract with an indemnification clause but its void if action is "intentional or willful" Chief Bennett may also have a personal Ethics issue regarding law and its intent. Removing police privilege's off duty for example.
John Caplis already known to the Ethics Commission for misappropriating $424 (still unpaid and uncharged to my knowledge) and also not covered by Indemnification. Prior Select Board Chair, Prior President of Friends of Templeton Veterans (501 c3 organization) and present Advisory Chair. Shows the level of Ethical concerns here in Templeton.
First, I think the town needs to fix the Personnel Policy to indemnify all employees not just Union and Administration personnel. Who orchestrated this fiasco might be something taxpayers want to know since it was probably done on their dime. I know I'd like to know the driving force behind this violation letter. Then I think we really need to start following the rules as laid out, from Policy, to Bylaws, MGL's, IRS Codes, OML and back to Ethics, the contagion continues.
Accountability may yet find Templeton
Robert May