AG's office won't weigh in on possible gaff in posting of selectmen's meeting

N.H. Deputy Attorney General Ann Rice (Courtesy image)

CONCORD, N.H. - Even if selectmen were found to have failed to properly post the meeting at which Milton's interim town administrator was fired last week, it wouldn't be something the state's Attorney General's office would weigh in on, the deputy Attorney General said on Thursday.

"We don't enforce those types of complaints," Deputy Attorney General Ann Rice said.

Jeremy Bourgeois was terminated from his employ during a telephone conference call between selectmen on May 18, The Lebanon Voice has learned.

The Lebanon Voice also obtained a copy of the termination letter signed by Selectmen Mike Beaulieu and Andrew Rawson with no record of Selectmen Chair Tom Gray either voting or recusing himself.

Gray, himself, has applied for the permanent town administrator position, The Lebanon Voice has learned.

Rice agreed that if a quorum (two thirds) of a public body that is to be gathered there is supposed to be due notice of the meeting posted, or in the event of an emergency meeting, as soon as possible.

However, any relief of such an action would have to be sought in a court of law, in which a civil penalty could be assessed against selectmen if it was deemed they failed to notify residents "in bad faith."

"It couldn't just be negligence," Rice said.

Rawson said earlier this week townspeople will thank selectmen for doing what they did once they get all the facts.

Meanwhile, the town's attorney as well as selectmen Beaulieu and Gray have refused comment as has Bourgeois.

Town activist Les Elder has said he also expects to hear from selectmen by Tuesday on whether they will grant his Right to Know request for all communication between selectmen and other possible parties regarding Bourgeois' termination.