Issue · Andover, NH

June 25 Non-Public Session Conduct and Workplace Safety

Residents raised safety concerns and called for disciplinary actions after a contentious non-public session involving a board member.

Overview

A June 25 non-public session involving alleged inappropriate conduct by a board member toward the Town Administrator prompted resident safety complaints and calls for discipline. On July 2 the select board tabled reprimand discussions pending legal counsel while approving interim paid leave for the Town Administrator.

Background

The issue originated from a contentious non-public session on June 25, 2026, during which a board member allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior toward the Town Administrator.

Residents described the session to one another as feeling like an attack on the Town Administrator and expressed that no one had intervened.

At the July 2, 2026 select-board meeting, multiple residents raised the June 25 events during public comment, citing concerns for personal safety in meetings and calling for disciplinary action or access restrictions on the board member.

The board discussed maintaining a safe work environment for the Town Administrator, who reported significant personal stress, while debating legalities of non-disclosure and possible recusal.

The board moved to table formal discussion of reprimands and next steps until Town Counsel provides an opinion.

A motion to provide the Town Administrator with paid leave in the interim was made during the same discussion.

The board heard the public comments but took no immediate action on the behavioral complaints beyond the paid-leave measure.

How it unfolded

Residents raised concerns over a board member's conduct in the June 25 non-public session and called for intervention or restrictions; the board discussed workplace safety for the Town Administrator, tabled formal reprimands pending Town Counsel opinion (3-1 with 1 abstention), and approved interim paid leave for the Town Administrator.

2026-07-02Select Board

Meeting →

Arguments in favor

The behavior felt like an attack on the Town Administrator and no one intervened during the non-public session.

select-board 2026-07-02

For

The conduct is not an isolated incident and the board member should not be on town property.

select-board 2026-07-02

For

Residents feel unsafe in Select Board meetings due to the intensity of a specific board member.

select-board 2026-07-02

For

Key voices

“The speaker expressed concern regarding how a recent non-public session on June 25 was described to her, suggesting it felt like an attack on the Town Administrator.”

Residentselect-board 2026-07-02

“The speaker stated that based on hearsay, she was appalled that no one intervened during the recent non-public meeting.”

Residentselect-board 2026-07-02

“The speaker commented that based on what she has heard, the behavior in question from a board member is not an isolated incident.”

Residentselect-board 2026-07-02

What's next

Chair Swenson will consult with Town Counsel on Monday; a board meeting with Counsel is tentatively planned for Monday or Tuesday.

Where it was discussed

Meetings that took up this issue.

Select Board

2026-07-02Residents raised safety concerns and requested reprimands; board tabled formal discussion 3-1 with 1 abstention

Meeting →

Select Board

2026-06-18Board discussed potential reprimands and approved paid leave for Town Administrator

Meeting →

non-public sessionconductreprimandsafetyTown Administrator