By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Jonathan Morrell knows the right way to negotiate a contract.

As he watched the Bridgton Board of Selectmen’s Jan. 25 meeting on television, Morrell was disturbed to see how officials handled a proposed new three-year contract for Town Manager Robert Peabody.

By a 3-2 vote, the contract was rejected.

Prior to the start of last week’s board meeting, Morrell called out selectmen, saying their approach was “unprofessional” and an embarrassment. During the public comments on non-agenda items portion of the meeting (which speakers are limited to three minutes), Morrell first introduced himself and gave some background information.

He and his wife, Trudy, retired to Bridgton nine years ago. Prior to retirement, Morrell spent 10 years managing federal worker training programs, five of those years in Hancock County, and almost 26 years in higher education at the cabinet level. 

“During that time, there are hundreds of cases where I was part of a negotiations team on various contracts, both vendors, purveyors of service, and personnel at the senior level. Those negotiations, when we thought they were finalized, were placed on the agenda for the board. At those board meetings, the outcome of our vote in negotiations was confirmed publicly,” he said. “Two weeks ago, supposedly you had an agenda item that had been negotiated and at that time, votes were changed. In my line of work, yes there were a number of cases where after negotiations seemed to have been done, things arose. At that point, we removed the agenda item before it ever got to a public hearing. That didn’t happen two weeks ago.” 

Morrell noted that in between negotiations and the Jan. 25 meeting, “votes were changed.” 

“I understand exactly who worked behind the scenes to have those votes changed. All I can say is that we love this town. We’ve chosen to be here. But, I was terribly embarrassed to be part of this town that day, watching it on TV. I have never seen such unprofessional behavior publicly by a ruling body,” Morrell said. “I was embarrassed. I hope some of you are. You need to do a better job. You got our votes, but we’re really questioning our choices at this point. You need to do better.”

Before the start of the board meeting, Chairwoman Carmen Lone read a brief statement. 

“The town manager’s contract was on the agenda prematurely. The Board of Selectmen is currently in negotiations with the town manager, and those negotiations are confidential,” Lone said.

Lone told The Newsthis week that the board has held two executive sessions regarding the town manager’s contract — one regarding “process” while the other was scheduled yesterday, Feb. 16, to continue negotiations.

Executive sessions are closed to the public, but individuals (the subject of the session) can opt to move discussions into public session. No votes can be taken in executive session, only in public session.

In other board news:

• Comp Plan work. Community Development Director Linda Lacroix provided an update regarding work on the town’s Comprehensive Plan. Lacroix suggested that a task force be formed, rather than a committee, to work on the upgrade. She pointed out that a task force has a particular purpose, and once that purpose is completed, it is no longer active.

Lacroix said a “core group” (to include residents as well as “experts” representing various organizations such as Lakes Environmental Association) would be formed to work on the plan’s upgrade. Anyone interested in serving should fill out a form available on the town website. Chairwoman Lone suggested representatives from social service groups, non-profits, food pantry, Community Center and other entities should be included. The group is likely to reach 24, yet some will be involved for “a short period of time” for “specific areas and fields.”

Selectman Bear Zaidman noted that the last Comprehensive Plan Committee was kept in place, with members serving an extended “term,” thus keeping a group in place to address changes as they surfaced.

Once the plan is revised and upgraded, the document goes to the Select Board for review and approval. If it passes, the plan heads to a town vote. If approved, the Community Development Director’s office keeps tabs on whether adjustments are needed down the road and whether stipulated goals of the plan are being met.

Lacroix anticipates upgrading the Comp Plan to take 18 to 24 months.

“We have two years to get this done,” she said. “We need a solid working plan.”

Lacroix hopes to bring in an outside group to help coach the local Comp Plan task force/committee along, as well as provide guidance in how to gather information from the public and get the community involved in the process.

• Liquor and victualer licensesapproved for Mountain Range, located at The Commons, to sell beer and wine. A new food truck is located on site.

• Health Officer resigns. The board accepted the resignation of Cathy Pinkham as Health Officer. In an e-mail to The NewsTuesday night, Pinkham said, “For the last three years, it’s been an honor to serve the people of Bridgton. I’ve had the outstanding support from many. I have met so many amazing people and have been very blessed to have worked with many organizations. Between coordinating vaccine sites and testing sites and monitoring the Covid pandemic, it has come time for me to step down and begin a new path within our town. I personally want to thank all of the people who took the time to think of others by checking on them. My service to the community will continue through the Navigator Program at the Bridgton Community Center…Kindness costs nothing, as I have witnessed through many residents of Bridgton…It’s been an honor serving Bridgton.”