Long awaited meetings on tap today

Selectman and Assistant Rescue Chief Jason Cole; below, Lebanon Rescue Chief Samantha Cole

LEBANON - One thing's for certain.

It's gonna be a hot one. Inside and out.

Lebanon selectmen face a busy four hours today at Town Hall today, including two possibly contentious executive sessions in the afternoon, then later a regularly scheduled biweekly meeting which will include a public hearing on the granting of a Special Amusement Ordinance for Trains Tavern to allow the nightclub to have live music and dancing.

The executive sessions will discuss the recent issues regarding allegedly defaming comments made by Selectman Jason Cole against Gilpatrick Property Services; and Rescue Department Personnel issues, and are scheduled for 3:30 and 4:15, respectively. Lebanon Rescue Chief Samantha Cole is expected to attend at least the second executive session.

The comments in question stem from social media posts Jason Cole made in May saying Chris Gilpatrick Sr., owner of Gilpatrick Property Services, was “fleecing” the town of Lebanon in connection with his mowing contract at a Lebanon cemetery.

Subsequently, then-selectman Robert Frizzell and Selectmen Chair Karen Gerrish responded that the town was happy with the work of the mowing company and the town Cemetery Association that contracted it.

Gilpatrick has demanded the resignation of Cole for his comments. 

Meanwhile, while several personnel issues have recently surfaced regarding Lebanon Rescue, including Jason Cole’s use of social media to defame, a violation of Lebanon Rescue rules; and the suspension of driver Michael Sabine without noted due cause, the exact subject of the second executive session was not released.                                                     

Jason Cole is also the assistant chief for Lebanon Rescue and the husband  of  Samantha Cole.

During the evening meeting selectmen will have a full plate as well, including the Trains permit, the issue of parking on Flat Rock Bridge road and former selectman candidate Robie Marsters with a Chickadee Lane road issue.

Regarding the Trains Tavern permit, residents approved the Special Amusement Ordinance at the June voting, but a final public hearing is being held before the permanent permit is issued.

The evening meeting begins at 6:30.