Gerrish explains nonrole in probe

LEBANON - Selectwoman Karen Gerrish sought to clarify her absence in the investigatory portion of a probe into grievances filed by several former Rescue Department volunteers against the department. (See story below.)

In an email to The Lebanon Voice on Tuesday after an article was published detailing the investigation, she wrote: “The original rescue complainants came to me back in October of 2012. That very day I brought the complainants allegations to Chairman Frizzell and followed that up with a telephone call to the town attorney, Alan Shepard.

“When speaking Alan (sic) he suggested that there needed to be a full investigation led by either Chairman Frizzell or myself. He suggested that it not be me due to the political history between Selectman Cole and myself. I agreed. I thought residents would see this as personal from me against Selectman Cole had I led the investigation.

"It was at that time that I recused myself from the investigation. I knew that once the investigation by Chairman Frizzell and Town Attorney Shepard was complete, I would then partake in the viewing of the evidence as well as the executive session with both the Rescue Chief and Assistant Rescue Chief, Samantha and Jason Cole.”

In 2011 Jason Cole lost his selectman’s seat to Gerrish in the June elections after a bitter campaign marked by controversy and accusations of dirty politics.

Whether Gerrish would have a say in any punitive action against either of the Coles, or the department, after the executive session is unclear.