(Sept. 22, 2011) In the wake of Airport Commission chairman Foley Vaughan's resignation amid a widening state investigation of the airport, the Board of Selectmen announced Wednesday an accelerated timetable to appoint his replacement, with one board member calling for more resignations from the embattled commission.
With only four Airport Commission members remaining to deal with the ongoing investigation by the attorney general's office into airport bidding practices, as well as open questions about the validity of airport manager Al Peterson's new contract, the selectmen hope to appoint Vaughan's replacement by Oct. 5.
The town is currently accepting applications from potential candidates, and set a deadline of Friday, Sept. 30 for them to submit interest forms.
But selectman Michael Kopko made it clear Wednesday that he expects additional resignations by members of the Airport Commission.
"I'm not sure that we've seen all the resignations from the Airport Commission that we're going to see at this point," Kopko said. "As one selectman, I would hope to see and anticipate a couple more resignations from the commission. My sense is the public, among other things, is anticipating that the board will take some action here and determine there's accountability on the Airport Commission on their behalf. If we haven't seen a couple more resignations, the board might consider requesting such resignations."
Other Board of Selectmen members stopped short of calling for additional resignations, with Patty Roggeveen emphasizing the need for a dialogue with the remaining Airport Commission members before taking any actions, and Bob DeCosta calling on the board to take the time necessary to pick the right candidate.
"I think by the sheer fact that the chairman of the commission has resigned, we may get some applicants we didn't see in the past," DeCosta said. "They may feel the flavor of the board has changed and would now like to work on that board. Whoever we do appoint, I would like to ask them specific questions about these issues that have arisen from the AG's investigation."
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