I am writing in response to your recent article, “Select Board rejects former member’s Open Meeting Law complaint.” While the Select Board may have voted to dismiss the complaint, it’s important to not lose sight of what truly matters here: leadership, accountability, and transparency.
My husband, Rich Maiore, served on the Select Board with dedication and thoughtful integrity. Throughout his service, he demonstrated a sincere commitment to the town and its residents.
It is precisely because of this integrity that he chose to step down. When he raised a valid concern, it was met with hostility rather than thoughtful consideration—revealing more about the remaining board members than about the issue itself.
Rich’s decision to resign speaks volumes about his character and the troubling dynamics within the current board. Our community deserves leadership grounded in respect, transparency, and open dialogue—values Rich upheld during his tenure.
The core issue is not whether the incident involving Eve Wittenberg happened—she herself has admitted that it did. The problem is that SusanMary Redinger, as chair, was not going to inform the rest of the Select Board. She chose not to follow the proper protocol for handling a code of conduct complaint, despite town policy requiring more formal action when a town employee is involved.
It’s also misleading to suggest that this was handled correctly simply because the matter was “resolved” between individuals. That does not excuse failing to involve the full board or follow the process. The only reason this matter came to light at all is because Rich filed a complaint—otherwise, it likely would have been swept under the rug.
The chair’s attempt to address the issue retroactively, only after it became public, suggests a clear intent to manage the optics rather than follow procedure. While she claims town counsel found no Open Meeting Law violation, it’s worth noting that Rich has stated that the same counsel confirmed a policy violation did occur. These are not minor details—they speak directly to whether we can trust our elected officials to govern fairly and openly.
Residents deserve a Select Board that follows its own policies and prioritizes transparency. This isn’t about a “political stunt”—it’s about integrity. If the board cannot adhere to the rules it sets for others, how can it expect the community to have confidence in its decisions?
Joyce Maiore
Slough Road
