Home » News » Politics
July 09. 2012 11:22PM
In Claremont, mayor faces a council mutiny
CLAREMONT — Shortly after Mayor James Neilsen IV left town for vacation, Wednesday's City Council meeting agenda was revised by Assistant Mayor Andrew Austin.
The agenda item to acquire furniture and fixtures for the yet-to-be-completed Claremont Savings Bank Community Center had been moved to August at the request of Neilsen because he had questions about the multi-year lease proposal.
The $350,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment represents a large portion of the bond the city approved to make up a funding difference for the project.
Austin said Monday it is his right as acting mayor to make the last-minute change to the agenda.
Paying for the items is an urgent city matter, he said.
“It takes so long to get that stuff,” Austin said. “The rec center is coming along nice and we want to get it in there.”
He added that the city council plans to discuss the purchase of the items, not the lease.
“The only question that (Neilsen) had was about, why lease?” Austin said.
Austin said he also had received a petition from residents asking him to move on the matter sooner rather than later.
“They wanted it back on there. It should be on there,” he said of the agenda item.
City Councilor Chris Irish said Austin and other council members are usurping power from Neilsen.
“I do believe the meeting Wednesday is illegal and I want no part of it,” Irish said. “In my heart, I believe this is not right.”
Just because the mayor is out of town doesn't mean the assistant mayor becomes acting mayor, Irish said. On Friday, Austin declared he was mayor and redid the agenda, Irish said.
“On a daily basis there seems to be more revelations of councilors working with each other and city staff outside the view of the public,” Irish said. “I am very comfortable in my belief that they are violating the public trust.”
Neilsen could not be reached for comment.
Also on the agenda for Wednesday night is a heated email discussion between Neilsen and City Council member Kyle Messier, copied to all council members, that ends with Neilsen asking for Messier's resignation for what he says is a violation of the right-to-know law.
Neilsen accused Messier of violating right-to-know and rule 49 by discussing an agenda item prior to a public meeting via email with a quorum of the council.
The City Council meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
The agenda item to acquire furniture and fixtures for the yet-to-be-completed Claremont Savings Bank Community Center had been moved to August at the request of Neilsen because he had questions about the multi-year lease proposal.
The $350,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment represents a large portion of the bond the city approved to make up a funding difference for the project.
Austin said Monday it is his right as acting mayor to make the last-minute change to the agenda.
Paying for the items is an urgent city matter, he said.
“It takes so long to get that stuff,” Austin said. “The rec center is coming along nice and we want to get it in there.”
He added that the city council plans to discuss the purchase of the items, not the lease.
“The only question that (Neilsen) had was about, why lease?” Austin said.
Austin said he also had received a petition from residents asking him to move on the matter sooner rather than later.
“They wanted it back on there. It should be on there,” he said of the agenda item.
City Councilor Chris Irish said Austin and other council members are usurping power from Neilsen.
“I do believe the meeting Wednesday is illegal and I want no part of it,” Irish said. “In my heart, I believe this is not right.”
Just because the mayor is out of town doesn't mean the assistant mayor becomes acting mayor, Irish said. On Friday, Austin declared he was mayor and redid the agenda, Irish said.
“On a daily basis there seems to be more revelations of councilors working with each other and city staff outside the view of the public,” Irish said. “I am very comfortable in my belief that they are violating the public trust.”
Neilsen could not be reached for comment.
Also on the agenda for Wednesday night is a heated email discussion between Neilsen and City Council member Kyle Messier, copied to all council members, that ends with Neilsen asking for Messier's resignation for what he says is a violation of the right-to-know law.
Neilsen accused Messier of violating right-to-know and rule 49 by discussing an agenda item prior to a public meeting via email with a quorum of the council.
The City Council meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Council Chambers of City Hall.