Editor: 

I am writing this letter to inform the residents of Kennebunk of a problem that I see with our town selectmen’s behavior during the recent budget process that needs to be made public. I am writing this as a resident/taxpayer and as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner. I wish to make it clear that I am speaking for myself, and I do not speak for the whole commission.

Some of the Kennebunk Selectmen are violating the Board of Selectmen Code of Conduct and the town charter. Statement Four of the Code of Conduct states that selectmen will “recognize that his/her responsibility is not to operate the town, but to see that it is well operated.”  

Some of the selectmen, specifically Wayne Berry and Bob Higgins, are overstepping their bounds.  For example, they required the parks and recreation’s department head, Brian Costello, to dissect the budget and explain almost line-by-line each item which clearly overrides his professional expertise.  They are also proposing requiring that Mr. Costello go before them to have any new program approved before adding it to the department. This is a clear example of micromanagement.

 Statement Seven of the Selectmen Code of Conduct states, “Selectmen will not criticize employees publicly, but will make such comments to the town manager for investigation and action if necessary.”  

During a televised budget board meeting with Mr. Costello and the selectmen, Wayne Berry and Bob Higgins, were condescending and derogatory in their comments to Mr. Costello to such an extent that people in the audience felt very uncomfortable, tried to halt the hostile tone, and were shut down by Mr. Berry – basically told to be quiet. Mr. Berry made comments to Mr. Costello such as, “How many years have you been doing this?” when Mr. Berry thought that Mr. Costello hadn’t written part of the budget correctly. At the end of parks and recreation’s budget appeal, which did not get passed, Mr. Berry made reference to Mr. Costello’s supporters and his commission members as being Brian’s “pom-poms.”  

This is clearly critical, insulting and unprofessional.

 Statement 11 of this code also states that the board of selectmen will “Confine his/her board action to policy making, planning, or appraisal, leaving the administration of the town to the town manager.”  The incidents described above clearly violate this.

 Additionally, the selectmen’s behavior is in clear violation of the town charter which states, “except for the purpose of inquiry, the board of selectmen shall deal with the administrative services solely through the town manager. Selectmen, individually, or as a board, shall not give orders to any subordinate of the town manager either publicly or privately.” (Town of Kennebunk, Maine Charter, Section 3.10, “Interference With Administration”). 

 The Parks and Recreation Commission is made up of citizen volunteers who exist to support and guide the department head. Selectmen Berry and Higgins usurped the role that properly belongs to the department head, the town manager, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. In doing so, Mr. Berry and Mr. Higgins are demoralizing the Parks and Recreation Department and I fear, may eventually harm it beyond repair. This must stop.  Many people in town use, appreciate and admire our Parks and Recreation Department.  They need to know that its future is in danger.

Sincerely,

Judy Milligan

Kennebunk