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Falls Village sexton files complaint against Town Clerk

Falls Village sexton files complaint against Town Clerk
File photo

FALLS VILLAGE — A formal complaint filed by cemetery sexton Tracey Wilson against Town Clerk Johanna Mann was brought before the Board of Selectmen during its regular meeting Monday, July 13.

The complaint alleges that Mann ignored Wilson while she attempted to complete required state business at Town Hall.

According to the complaint, Wilson went to Town Hall on July 9 to file a “required monthly state section report which requires the town clerk’s signature.”

“Despite waiting respectfully, I was ignored,” Wilson wrote. “The town treasurer [Michelle Hansen] realized what was happening and stepped in to help.”

“Professionalism, respect and timely communication are essential in local government,” Wilson wrote. “Being disregarded while attempting to carry out state required section duties is unacceptable.”

However, Mann told The Lakeville Journal Monday that Wilson’s account is not accurate. She said she sent an email to the Board of Selectmen stating the complaint “stems directly from an incident on July 8, when Tracey Wilson verbally attacked me as I was leaving work.”

According to Mann, Wilson entered Town Hall the following day at 10:47 a.m. while Mann was on the phone with technical support.

“I acknowledged her and let her know I would be with her as soon as possible,” Mann wrote.

Mann said Town Treasurer Michelle Hansen “came out and facilitated the paperwork signing, for which I thanked her.”

“The total time between Tracey Wilson entering the Town Hall and receiving assistance was 22 seconds,” Mann wrote.

First Selectman Dave Barger said the board is aware of the conflicting accounts and is seeking legal advice before determining how to proceed.

Patrick L. Sullivan
Senior Reporter
Patrick Sullivan has been a reporter for The Lakeville Journal since 2004, covering everything from town meetings to local characters and the outdoors. He grew up in Northern Virginia but spent summers on Mount Riga in Salisbury, giving him a lifelong connection to the Northwest Corner. A graduate of Denison University, Patrick is also the author of Tangled Lines, the newspapers’ popular fly-fishing column—making The Lakeville Journal, as far as anyone knows, the only newspaper in Connecticut with a regular fly-fishing columnist. He once received a fan letter from England, which he considers sufficient evidence that his work has achieved international acclaim.
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