RUSS FOX
SOUTHWICK – During a discussion last night of public records requests provided by Town Clerk Michelle Hill, Board of Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox noted that a former town employee made an inquiry about his property.
“As an aside, when I was reviewing the documentation I noticed a request from Jeff Neece, former DPW director, for information concerning property at 636 College Highway, which is property my family owns,” said Fox.
Fox stated that Neece filed legal action against the town when he left his position last spring.
“Some people might interpret this, since I’ve been representing the board, that this is possibly an attempt to intimidate or harass a public official,” Fox said.
He added that “it seems peculiar to me a request was made about my family property, and I’m asking permission from the board to discuss this with the town counsel.”
Selectmen Joseph Deedy said he had no problem with Fox addressing the issue with counsel.
Earlier this year Hill made a request to the board, which was approved, to ask for upfront payment for certain public information requests.
Any request estimated at a cost of more than $10 is required to be paid upfront.
Fox said last night that Hill reports there are some past outstanding requests that she cannot collect.
Deedy brought up the number of Title V inspection requests. He said he was not sure why a person performing a Title V inspection would need to make a public information request before coming onto a property, especially because the law allows the town 10 days to respond.
“Can we look into a way to go to the building department for that?” asked Deedy, adding that he still believed the fee should be applied but it should be a fee paid through the building department, not a public information request.
