POST MEETING NOTES
Approximately 20 or 30 people gathered at the meeting tonight with it appearing that the majority were there to support David St. Pierre or support his right to explain himself in a fair manner. As previously reported on the live blog, the discussion was terminated after approximately 13 minutes by a motion from Nicholas Boldyga. Art Pinell, chairman, stated specific rules for the discussion to take place. Among them was that the discussion was focus specifically on explaining the report of the actions that took place on June 3 where St. Pierre was issued a marijuana possession citation. St. Pierre was given the opportunity to speak first and was cut off several times because his explination focused more on what St. Pierre viewed was inaccuracies by various members of the media. A few times, Pinell asked St. Pierre to simply say what happened that day in St. Pierre’s own words. After several minutes of referencing media reports, Boldyga motioned for a close of the discussion.
Other things that happened during the discussion included St. Pierre admitting he received a citation for possession of marijuana. St. Pierre accused Boldyga of going straight to the media instead of calling him and asking what was going on. Boldyga asked why St. Pierre did not contact his fellow selectmen after the incident occurred. St. Pierre addressed various rumors and attacks against his character as “inappropriate.”
Residents supporting David St. Pierre left with some “choice words” for the other Selectmen, who voted to terminate the discussion and continue with the next agenda item.
At the time discussion was closed, St. Pierre excused himself from the meeting and held court outside the Town Hall auditorium and was interviewed by several members of the media where he gives his story of what happened on June 3. Those quotes and much more will come in the full-length story to be published in this week’s Southwick-Suffield News.
The Board returned to regular business following the discussion. St. Pierre remained for the length of the meeting and the meeting was adjuorned for the evening at approximately 7:50 p.m.
A full-length story will be available online in the near future and a story will be printed in this week’s Southwick-Suffield News with more details on the discussion between the Board of Selectmen.
POST DISCUSSION – 6:55 p.m.
Discussion ends with several frustrated residents leaving the room.
OPEN SESSION DISCUSSION – 6:40 p.m.
St. Pierre requests that the session be held in open session. Ken Albano, Town Attorney, this is not a disciplinary or public hearing. The motion by Boldyga is simply a period of discussion. No decisions being made tonight, just a session to allow St. Pierre to address. If no objection, floor will not be cleared. Boldyga made the motion to make the meeting in open session. The discussion will take place in open session.
Chairman Art Pinell explains the rules of the meeting. The reason for the discussion is to discuss the incident of June 3. The intent to allow St. Pierre to explain his situation and address the issue. Pinell agreed the discussion must be held in open session. Boldyga and Pinell were privy to documents of June 3. The documents raised awareness that an incident took place.
Discussion at this table will only take place at the table, no public interaction. This remains a fact-finding process. It’s not a trial. We’re not here to assess blame or guilt or make accusations. Pinell requests the discussion must stay on point.
St. Pierre speaks first. He presented a drug test taken 48 hours after incident. He believes it is well known that he and his wife have been working with young individual with certain challenges. He believes the officer reacted naturally.
He said a lot of things took place and a lot of the attacks took place that were not appropriate. Pinell stops St. Pierre and says he is getting into a back and forth about what is in the various media. St. Pierre believes only the Republican provided accurate news about the situation. St. Pierre said what he’ll tell you is pretty much that there were a lot of media is but the Springfield Republican took the time to ask me about the incident. St. Pierre admits he was issued a citation. He said the background of the situation leads to the individual he has been mentoring.
Boldyga interjects. He said the public is here. He and the public wants to know what happened from St. Pierre himself. He said he has not heard from him in a month. He criticized St. Pierre for not coming to them about the issue. St. Pierre accused Boldyga of going to the media without going to him first.
Voices were being raised and at that time, Pinell chose to terminate the discussion. Boldyga motioned to end the discussion.
A resident then spoke about hearing what David has to say. He accused Pinell of cutting St. Pierre off during what he had to say.
MEETING OPEN – 6:30 p.m.
Meeting opens up with St. Pierre not in attendance at the exact time of the meeting.
Roger Cataldo is first to speak on public comment. He questions Nick Boldyga. He asked about rescinding the dock permit vote. Boldyga responded saying he received an e-mail from Suffield First Selectmen Scott Lingenfelter about his not being on board with the program. Not wanting a lengthy legal battle, he requested the vote rescinded. Cataldo criticized the board rescinding the vote.
Doreen Goyette asks what Boldyga meant by residents fear to come forward. Boldyga elaborated his statement about residents. He claims he stood up for the residents who came forward to him. Goyette prefers better representation in the newspaper.
David St. Pierre enters the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Jeanne Margiates said the senior center supports St. Pierre and he deserves a chance to hear his side.
Updated: 6/1 – 10:00 a.m. CORRECTION: Senior Center Director Jeanne Margarites said the seniors of the town who voted for St. Pierre deserved to hear an explanation. The Southwick-Suffield News apologizes for the error in misquoting Margarites.
Neilda Henke requests the meeting be held in open session. Requests St. Pierre be innocent until proven guilty.
PRE-MEETING – 6:20 p.m.
Hi everyone and welcome to tonight’s special blog-cast of the June 30, 2009 meeting of the Southwick Board of Selectmen. Tonight’s special blog-cast is to give Southwick-Suffield News readers and residents of the town the opportunity to get up-to-date first-hand news of a very controversial topic that has marred Southwick politics and government for the past couple of weeks.
A discussion is scheduled to take place amongst the Board of Selectmen to discuss the alleged misconduct and behavior of Selectman David St. Pierre. The discussion was requested by fellow Selectman Nicholas Boldyga.
Currently, the discussion is scheduled to be an executive session held at 6:40 p.m. per Boldyga’s motion at their June 15 meeting. However, St. Pierre has told the Southwick-Suffield News last week that he will “probably” ask for the discussion to happen in open session in order to clear up rumors going around town about him.
Coming up at 6:30 p.m., tonight’s meeting will open with public comment. There will likely be members of the public who may speak for or against St. Pierre and we’ll bring that to you here online.
If the discussion at 6:40 p.m. occurs in open session, then I’ll update the blog every few minutes to give you an idea of what’s happening at the meeting.
If you want some live commentary and have questions, you can IM me, Southwick-Suffield News Correspondent Greg Scibelli at GScibelli0726 on AOL Instant Messenger. I can also be reached at gscibelli@turley.com. I’ll do my best to answer your questions and comments as soon as possible. The meeting is coming up shortly.
