Dump Truck Purchase Investigation Report Won't Be Made Public

Amherst selectmen are looking to move on from a lengthy investigation that attracted much criticism over the past few months.

Newly-elected selectman John D’Angelo brought up the subject on Monday in order to have a public conversation on whether or not to release the report on the month-long investigation into the purchase of a dump truck.

The investigation centered around the board’s approval of a lease-purchase agreement for the vehicle, which failed because the town is operating under a default budget. The entire amount then had to be taken out of the current budget, and an investigation into the matter .

Suspicions rose as selectmen remained silent throughout the investigation, while critics skewered them for a lack of transparency.

D’Angelo was one of them and campaigned on such openness in local government during the run for his current seat on the board. He said that he is now satisfied that selectmen have explained the entire issue after reading the full report on the investigation.

However, there are still some citizens who do not feel this way.

He suggested making part of the investigation summary public in order to dissolve any further suspicions, but other members of the board disagreed. Releasing the report would violate the confidentiality rights of those interviewed during the investigation.

The board’s legal counsel has also suggested keeping the documents private. Selectman Brad Galinson said that releasing such information would bring liability to the town, and would be legally irresponsible.

Recently-appointed selectman Mike Akillian agreed that enough details have been released to the public. He was not on the board during the investigation, but agrees that there was no foul play or attempted influence after reading the report.

Akillian suggested the board address the problems that started the investigation, such as a lack of communication or rigorous procedure, in order to move forward.

Chair Dwight Brew has already put much focus on transparency in town government in order to restore a feeling of trust with citizens. While he does not want to keep information from the public, releasing confidential interview information would set a bad precedent.

He restated that there was no cover ups, which had been shown from the testimony of the new board members, and their focus should be to learn and move forward.

“Terrible procedural mistakes were made,” said Brew. “We have to make sure we don’t repeat them.”

D’Angelo agreed that privacy of those interviewed should be considered, and the board doesn’t want to spend any more money by consulting legal counsel on the matter. He added that he just wanted the conversation to be made public to assure citizens that the board has nothing to hide.