An article in the Exeter News-Letter reported that Kate Segal was recently named the principal of the Newfields Elementary School. In discussing the process for replacing her on the Cooperative School Board, Superintendent Morgan said that the Exeter Board of Selectmen would pick Segal’s replacement. That didn’t sound right to Frank Ferraro, so he did some research into the state laws (RSAs) on this issue and he shared the results with us.
Ferraro found that the RSA is very clear on this situation: if there are at least 2 remaining Co-op board members from the town with the vacancy, those members decide on the replacement. He then emailed Morgan about this, including a copy of the RSA. Morgan promptly replied that the SAU attorney said that the law changed effective July 2013 and that is why the Selectmen get to pick the replacement.
Ferraro re-checked the RSA and found that the version he had sent Morgan had become effective August 2013. Ferraro emailed Morgan again confirming that the law says that the remaining 2 board members are supposed to pick the replacement. Morgan again thanked Ferraro and said that they would follow up on this.
Monday night, the Town Manager reported to the Board of Selectmen that the SAU attorney and the Town’s attorney had determined that the remaining 2 Co-op board members are to pick the replacement. No mention was made of Ferraro or his research that corrected the attorneys.
Even though Ferraro is no longer a selectman, he is still looking out for us taxpayers. Now I wonder if the SAU attorney and the Town attorney will refund the SAU and Town for the time they initially spent getting the wrong answer.
Thank you Frank Ferraro. The town attorney will be sure to donate to a charity of your choice.
ReplyDeleteSo what did Exeter pay for the wrong information from Town Council. This pattern of poor legal advice is becoming extremely annoying. If I offered my clients this pattern of faulty information, I would be fired and fined.
I think the case involving the female Exeter Dump employee who justifiably won her case against the town is an example of the need for a new town attorney. Truly this case should have been settled out of court in favor of the employee.
DeleteWho else but Chris Suprock should be chosen at the replacement, given he was Kate Segal's lone challenger?
ReplyDeleteMakes sense to me.
DeleteFrank Ferraro is appreciated by many of Exeter's citizens because he researches issues that matter to Exonians. Now it is up to us to support him and those who follow the law. Some day soon, Frank will be truly appreciated for his backbone and efforts.
ReplyDeleteIf Frank Ferraro is so concerned about looking out for us, why did he waste our money on a frivolous lawsuit against the town of Exeter? Which cost more, the solar panels or his legal shenanigans?
ReplyDeleteIf the Town Manager did his job and was responsive to requests from Selectmen, Ferraro would not have had to file the suit, and to answer your question, if you read Ferraro's letter to the editor on the solar project, you would see that the solar project costs taxpayers 10 times more than what the suit cost.
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