Southbridge Council Asks State For Police Department Audit

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Ken O’Brien

Chief Daniel Charette

Following a sometimes tense discussion theSouthbridge Town Council voted 6 to 3 to adopt a motion requesting that theState Auditor conduct an audit of the Southbridge Police Department from July1, 2007 through June 30, 2012.
The motion had been presented by Councilor Laurent “Butch”McDonald and was signed onto by all eight other councilors.
During discussion, council chair Catherine Nikollaconceded that she had signed off on the request but that she regretted italmost as soon as she did. 
Similar sentiments were expressed by vice chairDenise Clemence and councilor Pamela Regis.
Councilor Shawn Moriarty added an amendment, which thecouncil adopted, calling for the hiring of a private firm to supplement theaudit in any areas that the State Auditor’s office thought were outside theirpurview.
The motion was strongly supported by councilor DarleneMarcucci. It also garnered the support of councilor David Langevin whoessentially argued that if there was nothing to hide it could only serve toreinforce confidence in the department while providing the council with usefulinformation.
Strong opposition was mounted by Nikolla along withtown manager Christopher Clark. Clark even raised the far-fetched specter ofthe State Auditor recommending the hiring of additional officers.
The most amazing spectacle, however, was provided byChief of Police Daniel Charette. In what can only be characterized as aplaintive monologue, he begged the council to let him have time to smooth overany differences within the department that may have given rise to the request.
The vehemence of the opposition to the proposal fromCharette, Clark, Clemence and Nikolla seemed to only strengthen the resolutionof McDonald, Vandal, Moriarty, Peloquin, Langevin and Marcucci in voting toapprove the request. Councilor Regis joined with Clemence and Nikolla invoting against the motion.
It will be interesting to see if any further effortsare made to block the audit and what results emerge if and when it is carriedout.