On Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 1:44 pm, Dr. Paula Amato, Vice President & CFO of New England College (NEC) realize she had a serious problem. NEC is developing a 350 seat performing arts center and has applied for a USDA Rural Development grant. The deadline was approaching and NEC failed to obtain, from the Town of Henniker, a completed Evidence of Community Support form.
So, instead of contacting the Town’s Planning Board (which has Chapter 203, Article III Sections 203-7,8,9 Conceptual Consultation) , Dr. Amato reaches out to her friend and fellow Economic Development Committee member BOS Chairman Kris Blomback.
By 2:34 pm, Board of Selectmen (BOS) Chairman Kris Blomback has sent separate emails to each member of the BOS. Each email was substantially the same, which included the reason for the email and the supporting artwork provided by NEC’s Dr. Amato. BLOMBACK NOTICE TO SELECT BOARD LETTER 3 15 201703232017
Chairman Blomback is asking for BOS consent, via email and in direct violation of NH’s Open Meeting Statute RSA 91-A , to send a letter to the USDA on behalf of NEC without direct discussion at a duly called BOS meeting.
Selectman Fortner dissented and responded via email on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 8:50 am, stating his reasons for dissent. BLOMBACK FORTNER RESPONSE TO SELECT BOARD LETTER 3 15 201703232017
Select Women Hooper and Selectman French did not respond. Selectman Osgood, voted off the board on March 14th responded in the affirmative.
The letter was transmitted via email to NEC on Thursday at 10:02 am, without consent of the entire BOS . BLOMBACK ASSUMING SUPPORT 3 15 201703232017
Realizing the violation that had occurred, Town Administrator Trovato sent an email to Town Counsel Bart Mayer on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 9:34 am requesting advice on how to handle Mr. Fortner’s challenge. BLOMBACK TROVATO LAWYER FORTNER REFUSAL 03232017
Town Counsel Bart Mayer on Monday, March 20th at 7:49 am, advises the town administrator (see email above), [snip] “to cure that violation, the emails and a discussion and vote, “ratifying” Kris’ signature on the community support document should resolve that problem.”
OHB has repeatedly exposed the hidden email and text messaging dealings of this board. 1.) Equipment being sold behind the scenes 2.) Sand pile contractors over spending 3.) Zoning changes attempting to be greased without proper procedure….how many more times will the voters of Henniker put up with this kind of poor Corporate Governance??
And do the voters of the Town of Henniker really want a Town Counsel advising the board how to cure violations?
OHB…keeping it real… making it easier for you to find the facts so you can draw your own conclusions…..
http://www.onlyhennikerbruce.com
Excellent work as usual Bruce – so glad you left that dopey salutation off at the end. Without victory, there can be no peace.