Maybe its just the old New Englander in me, but I think that when you ask the taxpayer to reimburse you for something, you should justify it. Maybe thats just me.

I don’t care if “thats’s the way we’ve always done it.” I don’t care that nobody asked before.

The Sun has an article on the front page today that explains a line item in the town budget for next year that allocates $4700 for gasoline reimbursement for the town Selectmen.

Thats more than any other department, for what are considered part-time employees.

Now, if they believe this amount is valid, I’m OK with that. But prove it. The article points out that no documentation of the use is required.

The purpose of the stipend, we’ve been told, was to cover expsenses accrued while performing their duties as Selectmen. Now, we find they’re getting gas too?

Zimini’s saying that he’s contemplating “proposing that the board eliminate its gas reimbursement, annual stipend, and selectmen’s eligibility to receive town-paid health insurance benefits” sounds interesting as well — but a little extreme.

I would agree with eliminating elected officials getting the health coverage (Chelmsford has done this already), keeping the stipend, but requiring the gas reimbursement to have a written log. We all have to do it when we file taxes, and all the other employees have to do so. Its only right.

Update: Lowell Sun Article

I’ve got a few clips here for those who have trouble getting up in the morning. I understand that many may have been out attending the funeral of Mr Garry as well.

So, for your entertainment..

We have the host, Warren Shaw, discussing the sudden departure of Spencer Mullin from his position as Superintendent.

Next, we called School Committee Chair Matt Sheehan and he agreed to come down and discuss the issue.

And to get to our originally planned topic, we have Selectman Jim O’Loughlin who came in to discuss the discussion of the need for a policy regarding off duty policemen and alcohol. The discussion also covers wasted spending regarding the Louisburg Square project.

 

 Warren Shaw discusses Mullin early departure [3:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Matt Sheehan discusses unfortunate departure [10:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Jim O'Loughlin talks off duty alchohol policy and Louisburg [17:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Erin Smith, Lowell Sun

DRACUT — Although its been nearly seven years, the thieves who stole $80,000 worth of marijuana from a locked police-evidence storage trailer in April 2003 aren’t necessarily off the hook for the crime and could still face charges in court.

The statute of limitations to prosecute anyone in the case through the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office expired last year, but the rules are different for federal court, according to Alfred Donovan, Tewksbury’s recently retired police chief.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has four to five more months to bring charges against any suspects related to the case, according to Donovan, who has been conducting an internal investigation into the drug evidence theft for Dracut Police Chief Kevin

Retired Tewksbury Police Chief Al Donovan, left, speaks to the Dracut Board of Selectmen about the ongoing marijuana-theft investigation last night as Dracut Police Chief Kevin Richardson listens. SUN / JULIA MALAKIE

Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our MyCapture site. Richardson since 2008.
But it’s unclear whether anyone will actually be prosecuted for the drug theft or whether Donovan will name any suspects when he releases his findings in the coming weeks.

Donovan told selectmen last night that he recently shared his evidence with a federal agency, which is conducting a separate, related investigation into the matter. Donovan has refused to name the agency or say what the investigation involves, saying he doesn’t want to compromise the case or hundreds of investigative hours.

The federal agents are reportedly poised to decide within the next few weeks whether to launch a full-scale investigation into some aspect of the case, according to Donovan. That’s when Donovan will release his findings in the internal investigation — whether or not the agency decides to investigate, he said.

The Middlesex DA had previously presented evidence in the case to a grand jury, but criminal charges were never brought against anyone for the drug theft, according to Donovan.

“I believe at some point there was enough evidence to charge someone,” said Donovan.

Donovan said the district attorney’s office may have been reluctant to prosecute the case at the time because of

Dracut selectmen, from left rear, Robert Cox, James O’Loughlin, George Malliaros and Joseph DiRocco Jr., listen as Dracut Police Chief Kevin Richardson, left foreground, and retired Tewksbury Police Chief Al Donovan speak about the ongoing marijuana-theft investigation last night. SUN / JULIA MALAKIE

Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our MyCapture site. credibility problems with witnesses who were either drug addicts or involved with drug activity.
Selectmen Chairman George Malliaros said he thought the district attorney may have also been reluctant to prosecute police officers with the crime.

But Donovan has hinted that police personnel, as well as people involved in drug activity, could be involved in the case, but has refused to be more specific ahead of the report’s release.

Donovan had originally been scheduled to release his findings in the internal investigation prior to his Dec. 19 retirement as Tewksbury’s police chief and control chief for the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, but blamed the delay on the federal investigation.

In 2008, after years of dead-end investigations at the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Richardson launched an internal probe and enlisted the help of NEMLEC, which conducted lie-detector tests and interviews with suspected drug dealers.

Although he is retired, Donovan is expected to finish the Dracut investigation.

First it was “we’ll get a report by mid December.”
Then it was “by the end of December.”
That got moved to mid January.
“The Chief will be in during the first meeting of February.”
The meeting was cancelled because “there was nothing on the agenda.”

Now, we finally get Chief Richardson, and past Chief Donovan from Tewksbury who has been performing this investigation into stolen drugs for two years.. and what do we hear?

He can issue his report in “two weeks.”
In less than a minute it was “two to three weeks.”
By the end of the discussion Donavan actually said “three to four weeks.”

Next we’re going to hear that some federal agency wants it held up “a little longer”.. thats my bet.

Overall, Donovan says that his report does include drug dealers and users as witnesses (which is why the case probably never went through.. the witnesses were not strong enough to convict.) Whether the report names employees is the question.

At this point, any response to the report would be administrative.. which means that Chief Richardson and probably the Town Manager would have to decide how to respond according to town by-laws and policy.

Maybe we’ll get to that point before summer.. or Christmas.. or the Mayan Calendar comes to an end and we don’t need to worry about this anymore.

Update: Great Lowell Sun Story on this with video at Lowell Sun website

This ongoing investigation of the loss of $80,000 worth of drugs now nearly7 years ago by the Dracut Police Department continues.

An article this morning in the Lowell Sun tells us that a federal organization is also involved.

A retired Police Chief from Tewksbury, Donovan, has been performing the investigation for our own Chief Richardson.

Donovan, Tewksbury’s recently retired police chief, has been investigating who stole $80,000 worth of marijuana from a locked police-evidence storage trailer in April 2003. His report on the probe had been expected last month.

“At this time, I’m not at liberty to disclose which agency is involved in the investigation,” Richardson said when reached by e-mail yesterday.

Richardson said the federal investigation is related to Donovan’s investigation.

Rumors continue to abound around town as to whether (and which) officer was involved, and what happened to the drugs.

The way this is going, we’ll find the truth buied with Jimmy Hoffa.

Pick up this morning’s Lowell Sun to read an editorial that supports the retaining of Elaine Espindle for the interim Superintendent position.

This is no surprise, as the Sun has had a long history of having great respect for Espindle, and was just as dissappointed with Mullin as the rest of the press.

Dan Phelps column has his own humorous take on the issue, as well as one on the Police Department/Union ongoing battle..

“I saw Chartrand breaking several laws.”
That’s what two cops told the chief that night.
“He didn’t hear us creep up the driveway, which was steep.
He must’ve been too drunk, and now he’s in a big old heap”

Its all in fun..

Update: Lowell Sun Editorial

The Lowell Sun

Tensions between superior officers in the Dracut Police Department and members of the police union were exposed like never before in the recent internal investigation that cleared Deputy Chief David Chartrand of wrongdoing in responding to a domestic incident.

Chief Kevin Richardson took umbrage at the union’s leadership for what he believed was a blatant attempt to smear Chartrand’s professional reputation.

Richardson also suggested that leaders of the New England Benevolent Association, the union representing Dracut patrolmen, may have unduly influenced a patrolman to write allegations in an official report charging Chartrand with being under the influence of alcohol.

In turn, Jerry Flynn, NEBA’s executive director, denied Richardson’s charges while insisting that Chartrand was inebriated on the night of Sept. 26. He now wants the district attorney to investigate Chartrand’s actions. Basically, Flynn is alleging a coverup in Richardson’s investigation.

Union leadership clearly refuses to accept the chief’s findings, even when there is little evidence to support the union’s allegations.

If this sounds like a management-union beef, it is — and worse.

Quite frankly, the citizens of Dracut must be growing weary of these internal squabbles that are tarnishing the department’s reputation.

There will be no solution, however, unless both sides commit to dealing with their grievances in a professional manner. This department needs family therapy — and fast. (more…)

The only planned meeting of the Board of Selectmen is Tuesday evening this week.

It was moved up because of the election next week.

The agenda includes approval of all the licenses in town, as well as another cell tower discussion.. looks like a lot of fun…

The meeting is posted at the town hall, but did not make the website or Lowell Sun announcements.