Selectman questions clerks hours, attitude
By Caitlyn Kelleher

In the 15 minutes they were a l l o w e d , Townsend's Town Clerk Daniel Murphy and Selectman Maureen D e n i g e x c h a n g e d blows regarding work performance and responsibilities.

Murphy appeared before the selectmen Aug. 22, to refute claims made in a letter of c o m p l a i n t Denig wrote about concerns she had in regards to the hours of the clerk's office and his attitude. Neither party was willing to give in on their issue and Board Chairman Robert Plamondon limited the discussion to 15 minutes.

"Those comments are petty and outlandish at best," Murphy said.

Denig's letter, dated July 27, was written to Plamondon. She wrote the letter after she tried to access the clerk's office after the 9 a.m. opening time and found it still closed.

"My understanding from discussions with other town hall users is that the office hours for the town clerk's office are somewhat ad hoc and inconsistent at best," she wrote. "I believe it imperative that the town clerk maintain reasonable and consistent office hours to best serve the needs to the taxpayers."

Murphy responded specifically to that date by saying he was at the Post Office on town business and that his assistant had a vacation day.

"When you have a department with only two people that happens," he said.

In general he responded by saying he has increased the office's hours since his election in 1999.

"The office is more accessible then any other office in town hall," he said.

The town clerk's office is scheduled to be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - the same hours as the other town hall office - Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and on Tuesdays the hours are extended from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Denig cited the fact that the office was closed early on Good Friday and closed all day on April 15, July 3 and that he was late on July 27.

"You are the highest paid employee by the hour," she said.

Murphy made about $48,800 during the 2005 fiscal year according to the town report.

Denig also said that Murphy has "informed town residents that, as an elected official, he need only work one hour per year to maintain his position."

A statement that she called "incredulous and insulting to our taxpayers."

Murphy denied making that statement.

"I have never made that statement," he said.

He says he always works in public and to make sure things are happening "above board."

"I have never seen you in town hall," he said to Denig.

Denig said she is often in the building during the course of the day.

Murphy lost his selectmen's seat in April to Denig.

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Caitlyn Kelleher can be reached at (978) 827-3386, ext. 15, or e-mail: caitlynkelleher@ aol.com