SANGERVILLE – Sangerville residents gave selectmen permission at the annual town meeting Saturday to enter into a contract with the next town manager, if desired.

As approved, selectmen can offer a contract to a prospective town manager for up to two years with a provisional review of performance.

Without a contract, the only way to release a problematic town manager is for cause, and verification of the cause could be expensive, according to Lance Burgess, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

Dick Drummond, the previous town manager, resigned from the position this winter after selectmen signed a preliminary resolution for his removal. That action came after some residents alleged Drummond made discriminatory remarks to a local woman who is of South Korean descent.

The resident has since filed notice she intends to sue the town for civil assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation because of her alleged mistreatment.

Defending the town in such suits is costly. Town officials have expended the $3,000 approved at last year’s town meeting. In addition, residents were told that $10,300 of the $15,000 approved Saturday for legal fees in 2009 has been committed.

Burgess said the town’s insurance would kick in when a lawsuit has been filed but that has not yet occurred. He said town officials would like to see the case settled before it goes to court.

“Right now we’re on hold,” he said.

Under repeated questioning by resident Frank Ruksznis on whether the board acts as a whole in seeking legal advice, Burgess said the board gave him authority as chairman to be the contact person between the board and the town’s attorney on the pending case.

Residents were assured that any unassociated matters that require legal help would be acted upon by the full board each time the need arose.

In other action, residents authorized selectmen to tape record their meetings and they approved some housekeeping changes in the town’s Minimum Lot Size Ordinance.

Re-elected were Harold Leland as selectman, Charles Cleaves as sanitary district trustee, Charles Bean as fire warden and Ellen Haley as HAD 4 director. Also elected was Brydie Armstrong as an SAD 4 director.

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