Nader, Gauger criticize selectmen for indecision

WINSTED — The first Board of Selectmen’s meeting of the year started with a bang on Monday, Jan. 3, at Town Hall.

During the opening public comments portion of the meeting, consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, along with former Selectman John Gauger, told the selectmen that they are concerned with the results of the board’s recently concluded town manager search.

In August, former Town Manager Wayne Dove announced his resignation; he served his last day on Oct. 29.

Since that time, the selectmen have been looking for a replacement, with town Purchasing Director Mark Douglass serving as temporary interim town manager.

In November, it was widely reported that two finalists were under consideration by the town  — Gary Champy, town manager of Randolph, Vt., and Mark Turcotte, purchasing director in Monroe, Conn.

However, in a meeting last month, the board decided not to hire Champy or Turcotte and instead voted to restart the search from scratch.

In the meantime, as of the Jan. 3 selectmen’s meeting, Douglass has stepped aside and the board has formally hired Paul Vayer as the interim town manager until a permanent one has been found.

Addressing the selectmen, Nader, who maintains residences here and in Washington, D.C., said the board needs to be more open with its decision-making process.

“Because [the final candidates] were not selected, there are rumors going around town,� Nader said, although he did not speak to what the rumors are. “Rumors are not good for public government. It creates suspicions. Did someone find out about something about one or two of the the finalists after the interview process ended? Did somebody know someone in town that got people upset?�

Nader suggested that, to address rumors and concerns, the selectmen should hold a public meeting to discuss how the selection process transpired.

Nader added that he spoke to Turcotte after the board made its decision to reject him and Champy.

“I found that he is still interested in working in Winsted,� Nader said. “His background is quite Connecticut-centric. After talking with him, I said to myself why wasn’t he selected? What was his liability? Was it personal? Was it professional?�

Turcotte was in the audience sitting next to Nader during the meeting.

He handed out his résumé to several newspaper reporters as the meeting went on.

After Nader spoke, Gauger told the board that, in the past 20 years, no town manager has lasted in Winsted for more than two-and-a-half years.

“I would put to you that if you are going to have a process [in selecting a town manager] that you better follow the process,� Gauger said. “You better complete your task. The things that happen with interpersonal relationships is that they deteriorate and the town suffers. Without someone sitting in [the town manager’s] position, you are going to face bankruptcy.�

Gauger also made references to the several members of the board who support The Gilbert School.

“What you are doing by the process that you have gone through with the town manager and the Board of Education will leave you, come budget time, with no support whatsoever,� Gauger said. “I will leave you by saying that your words and actions in these processes will reverberate throughout the community. You have to keep your word in these processes.�

Resident Joe Forster spoke briefly after Gauger and told the board that the town having a new town manager every two years is not good for anyone.

The last person to speak during public comment was resident James Roberts, who said he supported the board’s decision not to hire either town manager candidate.

“I salute this board,� Roberts said. “You did not take the easy option, and that should be applauded.�

Neither Mayor Candy Perez nor any of the selectmen responded to any of the comments made by residents.

However, toward the end of the meeting, Perez said that she did not think there were any flaws in the selectmen’s decision-making process.

“The process was very good,� she said.