Tensions Heat Up at Monday Meeting

Multiple residents addressed growing tensions that have occurred in recent months at public meetings during Monday night’s Board of Selectmen session.

“I think it’s a disgrace what you’ve been forced to undergo, plain and simple,” said resident Daniel Veerman. “As a board and as a town, we deserve more respect than what’s been shown by certain individuals in this room. Personally, I’m offended by it. I find it disheartening and embarrassing. When we have meetings, there is a limited period of time the public can speak. I find it offensive that one individual can monopolize and in effect steal that time from the rest of the town.”

Veerman’s comments were mainly directed towards Kevin MacDonald, who is a regular attendee at public meetings. MacDonald has clashed with various boards in town in recent months, and has been asked to leave on .

During the discussion, George Lingenfelter said he believed Veerman was being hypocritical because at the about the high school, Veerman was the one to move the question and end debate. According to Lingenfelter, this move stopped multiple residents from utilizing their own right to free speech.

Board of Selectmen member Michael McCoy said he has never seen anything during his tenure like he has in the last year during public meetings.

“I’ve been serving this town for more than 20 years, and we have never been forced to have a police presence at every meeting,” said McCoy. “It’s sad and pathetic that that is what it’s come down to. Meeting after meeting, there is only one reason why the police are here.”

Another regular attendee of Board of Selectmen meetings is Michael Bodnar.

Bodnar spoke during the debate, and said he believed MacDonald is expressing his right to free speech.

“There are a lot of things (MacDonald) says that I’m not fond of. But he should be allowed to speak,” said Bodnar. “We shouldn’t single out one person. This is our only venue to express ourselves and our opinions.”

Among the residents in attendance at the meeting was Bill Klindt, who brought his two sons as a way for them to earn Boy Scout merit badges.

“This is our first meeting, and I have no affiliation with anyone involved in this meeting,” said Klindt. “I can say that you (MacDonald) have ransacked this meeting. To the board members I would say thank you for the work you do, and I’m sorry you have to do this every time.”