Selectmen Chairman Shawn Dahlen had to gavel Selectman Chris Donato into order and adjourn the board’s meeting Monday. Dahlen accused Donato of breaking the open meeting law by discussing issues not on the agenda, including a lawsuit against the town.

After selectmen had conducted their meeting business, but before adjourning, Donato brought up an issue that he wanted placed on a future agenda.

The issue involved the town using Town Counsel Robert Troy instead of an attorney provided by the town’s insurance company during a lawsuit brought by the previous manager of North Hill, Doug Johnson. Donato wanted to see Troy’s invoices pertaining to this lawsuit and he submitted a public records request for them. He said his request was denied and that the reasons were outlined in Dec. 30, 2011 legal opinion from Troy. Donato also wanted to discuss when selectmen and/or the town manager would ask for a legal opinion from Troy.

“The town is blowing money,” said Donato, “and I want to find out what the reason is.”

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