Committee appointments cause uproar in town

AMENIA — Two recent appointments to the town Ethics Committee have some members of the public, who attended two consecutive Town Board meetings where the issue was discussed, fuming.

The board recently conducted interviews for vacancies on the committee, which had two open seats.

Court Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner, Amenia resident Caroline McEnroe, Depot Hill resident Charlotte Murphy and Judy Carlson were the top prospects, the board said on May 10.

Requirements for serving on the committee include legal knowledge and experience in the field.

Klingner, who has been a town employee since February, has extensive experience in both of those areas, Councilman Wayne Euvrard said.

Although it’s not required by the town, the clerk has taken magistrate classes to perfect her craft.

Euvrard motioned that Klingner, as well as McEnroe, a former town judge and councilwoman, fill the two slots.

Town Supervisor Janet Reagon, as well as Councilwoman Vicki Doyle, said McEnroe should not serve on the committee because she questioned Reagon’s, a former Webutuck High School teacher, integrity in letters to the editor in local papers.

"Anyone who questions the moral integrity of a person or a group of people or making ethical comments should not be considered at this time," Doyle said.

Doyle suggested that Carlson and Murphy be appointed to the committee.

Euvrard’s motion, which was seconded by Councilwoman Victoria Perotti, was defeated by a 2-3 vote.

"This is absolutely amazing," Euvrard said, adding that he considers McEnroe a pillar of the community and one of the most ethical people he’s ever known.

Doyle motioned that Carlson and Murphy serve on the committee.

The motion passed by a 3-2 vote.

"Who would have guessed?" Euvrard continued. "I was told before we even had the interviews that [Reagon] already had somebody picked. You made up in your mind where you were going during the interview process. It’s obvious you already had the people picked."

Reagon denied Euvrard’s insinuation and asked that the Town Board "move on" to other matters.

The issue was revisited at the next board meeting, which took place last Thursday night, May 17.

Euvrard read a letter from McEnroe into the record then.

"Janet used unfair practices in her government class," Euvrard read.

On Election Day 2005, a referendum that would allow the Town Board to borrow $800,000 to buy the Allen Sand & Gravel property so it could be developed with a wastewater system and athletic fields, among other things, was defeated by a slim margin.

The letter notes that Reagon’s family used to be involved in a gravel mine in South Amenia and the supervisor may have had a vested interest in development of the mine site.

"This has been a horrible personal experience," the letter states.

"I think I have the right to speak," Reagon said after Euvrard finished reading. "In the 1930s, my grandfather and father mined gravel in South Amenia. This is true. By the time [my grandfather] came back from World War II, the gravel business was over. They didn’t own it, it was a lease agreement."

In fact, Reagon vehemently opposed the introduction of a rock quarry in South Amenia that would produce 20 million tons of rock over 100 years and destroy Rattlesnake Ridge, which she considers a local treasure.

As far as the allegations of unfair teaching practices, Reagon said she "never told the students to agree with me ... only take in different opinions and decide for themselves.

"I taught many of the children of the people in this room. I think they would tell you that I’m fair and unbiased," she continued, adding that she her encouraged her students to attend planning and town board meetings as well as zoning meetings and strongly encouraged them to register to vote when they turned 18.

Backlash from the decision was immediate.

Last Thursday night, residents used the public comment portion of the meeting to chastise the board.

"Carolyn is one of the best people in town. The comments were denigrating. If you don’t agree with the three of you, you don’t get on a committee," said Amenia resident Evelyn "Frankie" O’Connell, referring to Reagon, Doyle and Councilman Roger Russell.

Jeanne Rebillard, resident of Wassaic, said the Town Board should have kept it’s comments against McEnroe out of the general meeting and in executive session.

"I didn’t realize that having a difference of opinion is unethical," she said.

"There’s no more ethical, Christian woman on the face of the planet than Carolyn McEnroe," added Wassaic resident Pat Nelligan. "You should apologize to her. You’ll be very sorry if you don’t."

McEnroe was unavailable for comment at press time.