Brooklin selectmen agree to mediation

BROOKLIN – The three selectmen have agreed to seek mediation to resolve what have been characterized as deep personality conflicts which have disrupted the operations of the town’s government in recent months.

Their agreement, apparently one of the few things the selectmen have been able to agree on, came Thursday before a crowd of about 200 residents who attended a forum scheduled at the request of a concerned citizens group.

Concerns about town government and the discord within the town office have been growing for some time, according to residents who spoke Thursday night.

“This is as bad and divisive a period in town life as I’ve seen,” said resident Jon Wilson. “It’s painful to see what it’s come to.”

Bob Courtot, who organized the citizens group, said he was concerned about the lack of decorum at the town office and the disrespect being shown to selectmen and to residents.

Other elected town officials detail the regular bouts of yelling during selectmen’s meetings that have angered and upset residents to the point that many avoid attending to their business with the town when the selectmen are scheduled to be in session.

The selectmen agreed that a problem exists.

“We have a hard time talking with each other,” Selectman Robert Tapley said.

“We argue for an hour before we get down to do anything,” Selectman Lorna Grant said.

The lightning rod for much of the fingerpointing was Selectman Hendrik Gideonse, who was elected a year and a half ago. Although Gideonse acknowledged the problem at the town office, he indicated that he was puzzled about what he had done.

“The response I’ve engendered has been a surprise to me,” he said. “I do not see what I am doing that is so problematic.”

He said that it would be helpful to hear what kinds of things the selectmen needed to work on and asked residents for specifics on what they found problematic.

Several residents cited personal incidents involving Gideonse as well as concerns over lingering town projects such as the town pier, the salt-sand shed and the Old County Road.

But much of the concern was focused on personalities in the town office and most of that concern was aimed at Gideonse. And though many who spoke praised some of the things he was trying to do, most indicated that the way he was doing them was creating the problem.

Some, however, were more direct.

“I think you know you’re the reason we’re here,” said Joyce Barr. “You’re not mean, but you’re kind of arrogant. Will you be nice and respectful and stop trying to teach people how to do things so the town office can function?”

Several residents said they came to the session hoping to hear solutions, and others offered some, including scheduling night meetings for the selectmen, expanding the select board from three to five people, and seeking a recall to remove one or more of the selectmen.

John Bradford first raised the idea of a mediator, suggesting that while each of the three selectmen has something to offer the town, the personality conflict among the three did not appear to be something they could resolve themselves.

Grant announced she had contacted the Maine Municipal Association which, she said, can provide a mediator at a cost of $1,000 per day, plus meals and lodging.

Gideonse favored the idea.

“I think that could be helpful,” he said.

Grant agreed. “It’s a beginning and I’m for it,” she said.

Tapley also signaled his willingness to hire a mediator. “Mediation might be able to solve the problem, but I’m not sure how long it would take,” he said. “If the town is willing to spend $1,000 a day, we might get some information. I don’t know if one session would do it. But I’m willing to try it.”

A round of applause from the crowd indicated they favored spending the money, and one resident even offered to provide food and lodging for the mediator.

The selectmen gave no indication how soon a mediation session could be scheduled.