Over the past few weeks lots of troubling information has been provided to this blog in regards to our Selectmen and our Police Dept., many questions have been asked; but alas, no answers have been provided, other than the standard "it's just a few malcontents with too much time on their hands, stirring the pot." So we went looking for the truth and this is what we have found.
Many eyebrows were raised in regards to the new table in Town Hall provided by the Winchester Police Association., a non profit organization, made up of Winchester police officers. According to BOS minutes, this table was a gift to the town by the association. On the surface this all appears to be on the up and up and a real windfall for the town; but is it?
Here is some information about the Winchester Police Association for those who read this blog. The following on the surface appears to be a letter written on behalf of the WPA, making a donation to the town, however it is not what it appears to be. This letter is NOT from the WPA but a letter from Chris Roberts making it appear it’s from the WPA by the use of the WPA letterhead.
It must be noted that the WPA is not a part of the Town of Winchester, it’s a non-profit legal entity with binding by-laws, whose voting members are Winchester Police Officers, so in essence those involved with the WPA are OUR police officers.
A copy of the following letter can be obtained at the town hall for verification.
Many eyebrows were raised in regards to the new table in Town Hall provided by the Winchester Police Association., a non profit organization, made up of Winchester police officers. According to BOS minutes, this table was a gift to the town by the association. On the surface this all appears to be on the up and up and a real windfall for the town; but is it?
Here is some information about the Winchester Police Association for those who read this blog. The following on the surface appears to be a letter written on behalf of the WPA, making a donation to the town, however it is not what it appears to be. This letter is NOT from the WPA but a letter from Chris Roberts making it appear it’s from the WPA by the use of the WPA letterhead.
It must be noted that the WPA is not a part of the Town of Winchester, it’s a non-profit legal entity with binding by-laws, whose voting members are Winchester Police Officers, so in essence those involved with the WPA are OUR police officers.
A copy of the following letter can be obtained at the town hall for verification.
Copy of letter bearing Chris Roberts Signature dated July 7, 2009 making a Unilateral Decision purposely bypassing the President and Treasurer and usurping their legal authority in this association, in a blatant attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of members of the community to believe that this donation was made with the permission of the other members of the association and in compliance with the by-laws of the association.
Winchester Police Association
6 Parker Street
Winchester, NH 03470
603-239-6335
Croberts.wpd@comcast.xxx
July 7, 2009
Town of Winchester
1 Richmond Road
Winchester, NH 03470
Attn: Town Administrator Gray
Re: Police Association Donation
Dear Bob,
On behalf of the Winchester Police Association I am writing to inform you that we have voted to make a donation to the Town of Winchester. Please accept the 16’ conference table as a donation to the Town of Winchester to be used in the town hall in any manner you see fit. This table was purchased through a cash donation by Herb Stevens to the association and was only made possible by his willingness to drive to Pennsylvania and pick it up for us.
The seller of this table worked with the Winchester Police Association and agreed to lower his asking price by $200.00, which is well below market value. The Winchester Police Association is dedicated to providing services to the community as well as supporting the Town of Winchester. This contribution provides us the opportunity to donate this table to the Board of Selectmen to use at their weekly meetings, or any other use you may have for it and we feel is a nice addition to the Town Hall.
The association has used some of our cash donation in the past to purchase food baskets for the needy during the holidays. We have also purchased some badly needed equipment for the police department in an effort to promote safety within the community. Continued donations like these will support the growth of the Winchester Police Association and help support our community.
Sincerely,
Christopher K Roberts
Vice President – WPA
points of fact
Investigating we found that NO meeting had taken place to discuss a possible purchase and donation of a table and NO vote had taken place. The by-laws of the association clearly state that a vote by ALL membership must take place for purchases over $75.00 and the President will preside over meetings and those meetings will be at the President’s discretion.
1.) The President, Warren Breau, and the Treasurer, Dan Reppucci, had first learned of this donation, when it was brought to their attention several weeks after mention of the donation in the BOS meeting minutes.
2.) The treasurer, Dan Reppucci has no records to substantiate this donation. The managing of the checking account and any other responsibilities of the recording of finances for the association rests with the Treasurer.
3.) The Vice President’s role is designee in the President’s absence and otherwise has no power or authority to make decisions regarding the association. Nor according to the by-laws does the Vice President have the power to write correspondence on behalf of the association.
4.) The fact that the donation did NOT pass through the association would confirm that the association could not have donated anything to the town.
5.) Even if the association were to accept the money, properly recording it’s receipt and then properly recording a purchase, a donation still can not be made to the town.
6.) The WPA is a non-profit organization and as such, cannot solicit donations under the pretense of using donations that are made for the benefit of the WPA and it’s membership, and then make gifts of those donations to private or government entities.
7.) The letter states the seller worked with the WPA and agreed to lower his price. Was the seller made aware that the reduced price was for the benefit of some town and not the WPA?
8.) Does a table donated to the town support growth of the WPA?
The letter was written and submitted to the BOS by officer Chris Roberts.This letter was submitted to, and the donation was accepted by the BOS who were given untrue and misleading information provided by Chris Robert.
Is this yet another example of some in power, abusing that power?
Again, the laws and rules are being broken by people whose employment requires an exceptional knowledge of the laws and rules.
You decide, is this simply a misunderstanding and lack of knowledge or a total disregard and manipulation of laws?
Checking further we found out that another letter had been written to the Town and sent to the BOS and Bob Gray, after becoming aware that a donation to the town had been made. To date both Warren Breau and Dan Reppucci confirm that neither the BOS nor Bob Gray have responded to this letter. Warren Breau and Dan Reppucci are both still members and officers of the WPA, no meeting has been called for the election of new officers and the NH Attorney General’s office will direct the President, Warren Breau when that next meeting will be.
Verification of the following letter can be obtained from the town hall or contacting Warren Breau or Dan Reppucci.
Winchester Police Association
6 Parker Street
Winchester, NH 03470
July 29, 2009
Town of Winchester
1 Richmond Street
Winchester, NH 03470
Dear Board of Selectmen:
It has come to our attention that the minutes of the selectmen’s meeting of July 8, 2009, state that the Winchester Police Association donated to the Town of Winchester, a 16’ conference table.
We would like to state that as the President and the Treasurer of the Association that we have no record of:
Ø When a purchase for a conference table was made
Ø Any receipt for that purchase
Ø Any donation made by Herb Stephens
Ø Any $200.00 donation – cash or otherwise
Ø Any $200.00 payment – cash or otherwise
Ø No record of any vote taken to authorize the purchase
Ø No record of any vote was taken to authorize a donation to the town
Ø Any purchase over $75.00 requires a two–thirds vote by all membership per the by-laws
Ø At minimum the President and the Treasurer were never made aware of this vote
The letter sent by Chris Roberts to the Town of Winchester making this presentation to the town is not valid, as he does not have the authority to do. We believe that a donation made that specifies purchasing something for the town is not a donation but merely a misrepresentation of one.
Further, the association does not make contributions of its equipment, furnishing or the like to any town departments or to other entities but rather maintains ownership and loans these items. It is not the purpose of the Winchester Police Association to subsidize the town and we feel that it is a conflict of interest and grossly contradictory to our by-laws.
Since there is no record of the police association making this purchase, we have regretfully concluded that the donation came from Herb Stephens.
Copies of the selectmen’s meeting minutes, Chris Roberts letter, this letter and the bank statements have all been forwarded to the Attorney General’s office for their revue as all paper work has not been submitted to the appropriate officers of the association in regards to the finances.
Under the circumstances, we would like a retraction at the next selectmen's meeting of the donation being made to the town on behalf of the police association.
Respectfully,
Warren Breau, President
Dan Reppucci, Treasurer
Why does the BOS show a lack of regard to the President and the Treasurer of this organization of which the BOS has no jurisdiction and whose domain remains outside that of the WPA. Why when presented with this letter and request for action did the BOS and Bob Gray flagrantly ignore the President and Treasurer’s request ?
Both, the President, Warren Breau and the Treasurer Dan Reppucci were employed with the Town of Winchester at the time the request was made, so there could have been no mistaking they had the authority to make the request if in fact employment with the town was their concern.
If the President and Treasurer had different names or belonged to a different association, would they have been treated differently? Would they have been recognized for the positions they held as officers in an organization and been given the respect they should have gotten?
Why are the BOS so opposed to acknowledging this letter and making a retraction of the erroneous donation made by Chris Roberts? A donation made by someone who did not have the authority to make the donation and speak on behalf of the other members of the WPA.
Was there perhaps a plan in effect? Could this have something to do to why both officers Warren Breau and Dan Reppucci are no longer employed as police officers in Winchester?
So what do you think, is there something really fishy about all of this? Is there something going on here other than what we have been told?
Or do you feel this just another attempt by a few malcontents to simply stir the pot as those at Town Hall would have you believe?
To verify anything written above you can contact the Attorney General’s Office – Charitable Trusts @ 271-3591 for other Right To Know information regarding this matter.
We have heard rumors that many people have stated they fear retaliation from certain individuals in the Town of Winchester if they report any complaints or try to bring to attention any wrongdoing. If you have information you think may be important and want to report it without fear of any retaliation, we ask that you please contact the AG’s office @ 271-3671 or email the Informer so that these issues begin to get resolved.
72 comments:
As a former long time resident of Winchester, this does not surprise me one bit. My husband and I left several years ago because of the numerous problems in town and the attitude of those we sadly elected into office. We just couldn't take it any more and were deeply saddened to give up our home to gain peace of mind and live life as you are supposed to do. Granted there are issues where we live now, caused by a few with the same kind of attitudes; but not anything like what's going on your town now. Trying to get things straightened out by approaching your boards won't work as we tried that approach ourselves. You are going to need outside help to correct all the wrongdoings in your town and our advice would be to keep pestering the AG's Office with phone calls and letters and possibly a call to the FBI to investigate this matter with the police dept and association mess. Winchester has always been run by some people who feel they are much better than everyone else and the small group that runs the town now has been getting rich off it for many years. Good luck in your fight and we wish you success.
This is appalling news. I am very concerned for my daughter and son-in-law who now reside in Winchester. It would seem to me that there is a element of lawlessness and intimidation going on and I surely don't want this to affect their lives in their new home. As a former officer from another state I can attest that this is unlawful and that if these allegations are found to be truthful than prosecutions are in order. I will be contacting people I know to check this information out. Glad I was directed to this blog, it is very informing. Hats off to those who took a stand and are putting themselves in the line of fire for everyone else.
In the past 5 years numerous officers have been fired or forced to leave after years of service.
The reason?
Because the Chief of Police and Selectmen have refused to listen to their concerns and this a direct result of their looking away from the problems instead of dealing with them.
Nate Jette is the only full time officer left since Phillips took over and he has admitted to stealing, he is accused of harassing and intimated at least several people among other things.
Problem #1: Is retired police officer Sherman Tedford. He seems to have too much sway with the Board of Selectman in regards to police matters and appears to be influencing everyone to allow the disregard to the law(s). From what I hear, the administration he learned under was worse than the one we have now, so we should be grateful. Not very reasuring though, is it?
Problem #2: A BIG deal was made over the legality of accepting the Board of Selectman chairs that Ted Whippie donated to the town while he was in office. How come this table just sailed by so easily with out a vote, etc?
Problem #3: If asked, no one sitting at that table appreciates it. They feel like "munchkins" sitting behind it - it's way too tall.
Problem #4: Could we even get the AG office to take these matters seriously? I would be willing to bet that every department needs to be audited by an outside firm.
This isn't a new issue. In the past, police cars (which required additional expenditures of taxpayer funds for insurance, maintenance, etc.--against the law) were accepted without legal authority and without hearings. It has long been suspected, but lacked ironclad proof, that many gifts have changed hands. (Remember, evidence and proof are two different things.)
For details, please read what was posted on an earlier web site developed in the attempt to expose corruption and wrongdoing in Winchester government.
http://www.winchester-informed-citizen.org/pdf/DonatedChairs.pdf
As far as the "No means no" law goes, I believe the selectmen expended funds in the then current budget, not from the upcoming July1-June 30 budget voted on in March. If this is the case, it is a moral and ethical issue, not a legal one. The March meeting doesn't bind the current-year budget.
This isn't a new issue. In the past, police cars (which required additional expenditures of taxpayer funds for insurance, maintenance, etc.--against the law) were accepted without legal authority and without hearings. It has long been suspected, but lacked ironclad proof, that many gifts have changed hands. (Remember, evidence and proof are two different things.)
For details, please read what was posted on an earlier web site developed in the attempt to expose corruption and wrongdoing in Winchester government.
http://www.winchester-informed-citizen.org/pdf/DonatedChairs.pdf
As far as the "No means no" law goes, I believe the selectmen expended funds in the then current budget, not from the upcoming July1-June 30 budget voted on in March. If this is the case, it is a moral and ethical issue, not a legal one. The March meeting doesn't bind the current-year budget.
This isn't a new issue. In the past, police cars (which required additional expenditures of taxpayer funds for insurance, maintenance, etc.--against the law) were accepted without legal authority and without hearings. It has long been suspected, but lacked ironclad proof, that many gifts have changed hands. (Remember, evidence and proof are two different things.)
For details, please read what was posted on an earlier web site developed in the attempt to expose corruption and wrongdoing in Winchester government.
http://www.winchester-informed-citizen.org/pdf/DonatedChairs.pdf
As far as the "No means no" law goes, I believe the selectmen expended funds in the then current budget, not from the upcoming July1-June 30 budget voted on in March. If this is the case, it is a moral and ethical issue, not a legal one. The March meeting doesn't bind the current-year budget.
It looks like Chris Roberts lied and was deceptive in trying to make this donation at the very least.
How far will he go to distort the truth for his gain?
Can anything he says or does be trusted?
As the saying goes a skunk is a skunk by any other name.
NO BRAINER -
1.)The police association can't donate anything to the town - the town needs to give the table back. This shouldn't even be an issue for crying out loud!
2.)The police association needs to remove this guy from holding an office and reprimand him for his actions according to their bylaws.
3.)Nobody should make donations to this police association until they clean up their act and somebody certifies that they have.
As Elmer Fudd would say... there's something screeewwwyyy going on around here...:)
Now showing at a theater near you!!! Police Academy "The Winchester Version". Starring Nate Jette as Tackelberry, Gary Phillips as Commandant Lassard, Chris Roberts as Captain Reed
To anonymous about the cruisers you are right, Phillips in a sneaky underhanded maneuver and with the help of Sherman Tedford and the rest of the board pulled a fast one on the taxpayers.
Like all shady characters they stay a half step ahead til they finally trip. With as many lies and manipulations they have participated in there is no way they can cover all of them.
Phillips manipulated his budget, went against the taxpayers wishes, and thumbed his nose at all of us. The money he had left over was not from careful management, but because he deliberately didn’t hire a position that was in his budget. It’s a sneaky way of getting something the people didn’t want or need right now and he knew it and that’s why he did it.
He should have given the towns people a break and used his vehicle instead of keeping that for himself.
But, it looks like in the end his credibility is shot with more holes than swiss cheese, so with any luck he won’t be around much longer to mismanage his department and his budget. He’s a laughing stock all around the county and now country.
The glass fishbowl is finally being cleaned and people are finally beginning to hear and see. It’s wonderful for the fresh air.
He can leave Winchester just like the posters say he left Jaffrey – abruptly, turn in your resignation and puff gone like that.
Its plain to see why the dept. heads and some of the selectmen don't like this web site. As a former poster said these underhanded polices have been going on for years , but back then there was no Informer. If the state comes to town and starts digging into the past lots of former town employees may have some problems.
Is this town in the United States? It seems very odd that no town officials along with the chief of police have come out to try to answer any questions by holding a meeting or a press conference if they don’t think this blog is the proper forum. If what is on this blog is untrue why would they allow this controversy to continue for month after month when it appears that there are major problems and these problems aren’t going to go away? Their credibility is greatly diminished and the blogs credibility is greatly increased due to the fact that one of the repeated complaints is a lack of response from those in charge. That is substantiated in that there has been no response from them, as if they have something to hide. From what has been posted on this website you have people here who crave power and will break laws to get power and keep power. These are people who don’t learn from what they’ve done wrong but learn how to do wrong better. These aren’t minor mistakes where people learn and then become better at serving their community. These are people who break the law time and time again without any consequence. In reading this blog these people cross over the line over and over. One can only imagine what hasn’t been revealed yet. This police department needs to be investigated for corruption and corrupt practices. That would likely lead to an investigation of the other departments.
Sounds like the vice president of this police associaion was trying to impress this board for his own glory and personal gain. Shame on him for using others!
So I guess all that “made up stuff” and the actions of a “few” we’ve been hearing about isn’t as made up as we have been led to believe. No wonder why they have been trying to discredit those who have been trying to speak the truth they have a lot to lose if proven guilty. Don’t they?
There's no question what many have speculated about,that Winchester is a corrupt town with corrupt people running it. Now it seems we have some proof. Maybe we can get influential people to listen if we voice our concerns loud enough.
I was talking to someone who called Bob Gray a week or two ago about concerns about what was circulating around town and he told them there was no need for any worry about anything seen on this blog. He said there were just a few people trying to start problems and not to worry. As to the police association problems that had come up earlier on this blog they were told by Bob Gray not to worry, the police association is seperate from the town. When pressed but aren't the same people in the police association the ones in the police department, his answer was he wasn't too familiar with it. Now we find out he got a letter from the President and the Treasurer a couple months before, indicating a problem but he's not familiar with it? Come on. Where do the lies stop? This is where the people are supposed to go to get truthful answers from ethical employees as he pointed out some weeks ago they should act like? They can't even remember not to lie or who they lie to?
Don't let Bob Gray kid you folks, he was made aware of the WPA issues more than once. Furthermore, as the Town Administrator, Bob Gray is responsible for knowing what is what and what is not and who is who. It must be nice to get paid to tell everyone you are not familiar with an issue. Hell, anyone can do that. Hire volunteers it would be cheaper. What are Bob Gray's qualifications? Does he have an employment law background experience? Does he have a Human Resource background? His resume and employment history are public record. It looks as if is he just another local boy. No, wait...that can't be, he lives in Troy. At least John Stetzer lived in Winchester.
So my question is who has contacted the AG's office? If we all need to do that we need to know. The shenagins have to stop. Where is the budget committee in all of this fiasco?-Out to lunch?
The AG's Office is looking into the WPA issue.
People need to contact the AG's office for any concerns or information they have. The AG's office had already been given a heads up not to listen to any complaints as they were not to be taken as serious but to be taken as just grumblings from a a couple of upstarts that don't know anything.
To retired NY cop .... any help you can lend by drawing attention to this website, spreading the word and letting other’s know of this problem will be greatly appreciated.
Too many people are too intimated to do anything or say anything about what they know for fear of retaliation.
This has been a way of life for far too long in this town. For the first time there is a break through in information that rings truthful and is being substantiated.
We have been dealing with corrupt individuals in this town for years.
Now we have seen some of the best people forced out of this town and it's become more rampant because of that.
This town has become corrupt to its core and needs help.
We need an independent, impartial investigation of our town leaders and departments, please pass that word to the people you know.
The AG’s office has been contacted, now we now need them to act. The AG's office has been supplied with numerous amounts of information they can act on and more information could be forthcoming if they were to inquire.
Reputable, credible and ethical points of contact have been given to them months and months ago and yet there doesn't seem to be an effort made to contact these people.
Why is that? Do they not want to get involved? Do they protect those that have done wrong and look the other way? Are they to busy?
What ever the answer we need help now.
Thank you for your interest.
Corruption threatens good governance, sustainable development, democratic process, and fair business practices.
How it is that these guys can still call themselves cops? Aren’t there any state agencies that oversee there performance? To go against the by-laws of the police association should be dismissal, if you take a bike that doesn’t belong to you it should be dismissal, if you are overseeing all of this and doing nothing it should be dismissal because you shouldn’t be letting it happen. None of you shouldn’t be allowed to be officers of the law. You give the good police officers who follow the law a bad name. I doubt any of your peers think too highly of any of you. If you can’t follow the laws you shouldn’t be given the privilege of being allowed to protect the public. I’d say you should all be ashamed of yourselves but you obviously don’t have a conscience.
To Go Informer ....Lots of current town employees will have some problems too.......
I heard the same thing about Bob Gray and the association. Thought it was pretty weird myself.
I always had the deepest respect for Mr. Bob Gray, considered him to be a very trustworthy, decent man who fairly represented all that is good in Winchester; but now I have my doubts and I am deeply troubled. How can he look someone in the face, or answer someone on the phone asking a serious question about our town and ever be believed again? This situation has gone on for months and letters have been sent to the town and him personally and he continues to tell people there is nothing going on or that this is just the rumblings of a couple of people mad at the town, what are you thinking Bob? Are you becoming another town official who's word is suspect and who can't be trusted to give a straight answer? Shame on you!!
This is again very disturbing. What other misinformation has been given to people inquiring about the truth? Can anything that these departments heads and voter approved town officials say be trusted or will they be caught in lies if they tell the truth? There is absolutely no two ways about it, the Selectmen and Bob Gray and Gary Phillips all new about this and did nothing. No wonder why they won't hold a public meeting with the town.
Totally unethical behavior of these people.
The FBI needs to be contacted - if every agency in this state thinks this is OK - then they are unable to conduct an independant and unbiased investigation. We need people in here who aren't related or somehow connected.
Phil Bantz of the Sentinel was also contacted numerous times by several people and for some reason won't make statements that are true if they go against the Winchester Police Department.
For instance:
Regarding an incident published in the Keene Sentinel on July 31st which reported that a “highly intoxicated” Timothy Merrifield was “determined he was firing a rifle into the air” and “was taken into protective custody and driven to the Cheshire County jail in Westmoreland to sober up”.
Knowing this was untrue and concerned about misinformation being reported I contacted Phil Bantz and told him that Merrifield had not been taken to the jail but left in Winchester and that the Sentinel should report that as that was the truth.
His response back was that since he didn’t know who I was that he couldn’t print a retraction, I told him all he had to do is call the jail to get the information that’s how I got it.
Needless to say the news wasn’t reported accurately. Why?
Don’t the people have a right to know if someone is “highly intoxicated” and shooting a rifle into the air when they are left in their town when it was reported otherwise?
The jail keeps a record of people who come through the door and go back out.
It seems like more intimation – pointing someone in the right direction isn’t good enough, they have to have a name. That’s why people are afraid to do or say anything.
I think we need the FBI and Fox news.
What you see here is exactly the backhanded, underhanded activity that has been happening since Roberts got into town. That's why he's not in Hinsdale anymore. Too bad Winchester took on the baggage. Now he's got the selectmen and Bob Gray in his pocket too.It's amazing how a badge will make people do even unlawful things for them. It's also known by the other name of abuse of power.
Well...now that this is out in the open Maybe the board will make a statement about this at their next selectmen's meeting.
It would seem there would have to be something said, they don't have blinders on as they once pretended to us they did. In fact they new about everything all along.
They have known right along and were put on notice that the "donation" was improper.
Since the two people {Warren Breau and Dan Reppucci} who brought this to their attention are no longer working for the police dept maybe that would be the reason they were both fired?
Neither one of them would have worked with these officers doing things that were wrong without speaking up. I know them both and that is how they work – if something isn’t right they say so.
Also neither of them have ever had the controversary that Jette, Phillips and Roberts have. They’ve always just done their job and that’s about it. You never hear about them stealing or throwing evidence out or mismanaging people or having problems with the decent folks of this town who question something and then get called names.
You don’t see them involved in the association problem except to right a wrong.
You have to wonder have they been trying to expose things that were wrong and got punished for it by getting fired so they would be silenced?
Some things never change - Hey Chris as they say - "leopards never change their spots". I thought you were moving out of the area? Ya might have been better off to go somewhere where not so many people know you so well. Not surprised to hear about this one.
How come Chris Roberts is listed as a Sergeant on the WPD Roster? Has he already been demoted or is this a physic premonition and a reminder of what is to come?
http://www.winchester-nh.gov/Pages/WinchesterNH_Police/roster
Bob Gray is an acting agent for the board of selectman. If the board wants him to lie to everyone, then he has to do as he is told. He works for them. Unfortunately, they don't seem to realize that they work for the town. They are there to represent all of the voices in this town. They are to be responsible for running this town smoothly and not go over board in their spending.
Unfortunately, it is apparent that they have their own personal adgendas and could careless what you and I think or feel.
Nothing will be said at the Selectman's meeting - because very few people show up. Gus Ruth is famous for saying, "We'll take this complaint into consideration." And that's the end of it.
Does anyone have a clue what Gus Ruth's personal agenda is for this town? For that matter, how about John Gamarlo? They don't seem to honorable to me.
Are you saying that Bob Gray doesn’t have a choice to lie or tell the truth?
What you are really saying is if someone goes against anyone in authority, there will be a price to pay.
Why doesn’t Bob Gray get in touch with Warren Breau and Dan Reppucci, the authors of the letter, and ask them how to tell the truth.
I’ll bet they’ll say something like sometimes doing what’s right is hard but if someone doesn’t do it no one will.
I think we have the proof in the pudding on that.
So another words it's OK to not tell the truth if someone asks you not too?
The fact that Dan R and Warren B tell the truth makes them the bad guys?
Whatever did they do wrong to get on the bad side of this town?
The selectmen can take things under advisement all they want, but that's why this town has so many lawsuits.
The people in charge don't know how to follow the rules and they really don't know how to be truthful.
Thankfully it seems that we're getting to see things firsthand without their ability to twist or sway the story for a change.
Those in charge don't have control of the flow of information so now they’ll use any excuse that can be made to cover their not so royal butts…
But it’s a poor excuse when grown people say “he made me do it” Stand up and take responsibility for pete’s sake you’ll get more respect.
Stop complaining about people finding out about the truth like it's none of our buisness.
Its just a friggin table, why dont you put your energy into something else..
Well some don't think it's a matter of it being just "a friggin table" so get over it.
Some see it for what it is - a scam on the people, it's illegal and it's unethical - what don't you get????
If someone went onto Mr. Mikes and stole a candy bar, would you say it was only a get over it it's only a "friggin candybar"? That would make you unethical too.
It's also a double standard when you say that some should steal and do wrong but others shouldn't.
After all the guy who did this a a "COP" and should be following the law and not breaking the law.
This blog is trying to educate - maybe you should read more of what this blog has to offer, you might see things differently.
Shame on anonymous of 11:10, it's not just a table, it's also about right and wrong. What happened in this letter and the letters following are clearly wrong, then when you have by-laws spelling out the rules it's easy to see some were trying to pull the wool over the eyes of others.
To the brilliant one who sait is was just a "frigging table". WAKE UP!!!!! Just a frigging table... you gotta be joking...is that all youi can say. Do you look at what you eat before you eat it, or do you just shove things in your mouth because you just ate a pile of sh#@t(sorry for the adjective folks.)Get real! I gusee it was just a "frigging bike" when Jette took it,and just "frigging pot" when Jette threw it out the window ot Just a "frigginmg uninspected police cruiser" when Roberts drove it to Paul's to get it inspected. Why don't we all just "frigging frig it" and forget about it? Sounds stupid doesn't. Next time think before you speak or before you hit the "send" button. These are legetimate concerns from concerned citizens. What more do tou want or need to remove the vermin from the police department?
To the person who stated it was just a table. I suppose it's just our tax money too and we shouldn't think or worry how it's spent. Sadly, you and others just don't get it, there's a pattern here from police officers who ignore protocol and procedures and break the law; to town officials who act irresponsibly and condone high spending while the town burns down around their ears. Hard working people put their trust and faith in our police and town officials to protect them to the letter of the law and to carry out their responsibilities with the towns people's best interest at the forefront of their duties. Unfortunately in Winchester we have been getting the short stick for many years, it is time to act and take a stand against injustices and turn our town around.
I keep hearing its just a couple of disgruntled ex employees causing all this. If you were an honest person working under these conditions wouldn't you be disgruntled too? I know I would be:~)
To anonymous - just a friggin table - you'd probably be the first to cry foul if someone did something wrong to you ....That would be called double standard thinking. Get real, it's more than just a table, you're obviously lacking in the morals dept.
Just when you thought it was getting dull...Ask Roberts where he was when he solicited this table or for that matter where he was when he solicited the other donations? Was he at the PD and on department time? You can bet he was. Anything to do with the WPA cannot be conducted on WPD time it is a direct conflict of interest and is theft of time. WPA functions are to be done on the officer's own time not on department time. Get it...got it...get it? hang in there folks,further undisputable documentation will be forthcoming showing Roberts and Phillips doing WPA functions on WPD time.
To those who think its just a few disgruntled former employees. Why do you think many large police departments have anonymous crime and drug tip lines? It's because of people like you that peolple are afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation. The blogs are on target and eventually other dirty secrets will surface. Who knows, maybe other towns will follow suit. I hear tell you can see things more clearly when you don't have your head up your posterior backside. Maybe the people who don't see the problems with Winchester should seek the assistance of a proctologists to help them with their eyesight.
You can't find anyone downtown that would have any sense of right.
They are all in it for themselves and it appears now in protecting each other.
You can't deny the these letters nor the content.
Eventually the message these people send will be the message they get.
That's how to solve the problem.
To the person who thinks this is only about a table, well it's not and we are glad for the Informer for bringing this type of activity that our police depart. is involved in to our attention. Unfortuneately for us they aren't able to.
They hope it will go away so they don't have to defend it.
That's how they ooperate in this town. Usually that works, this time it might not.
It’s embarrassing to have to explain to people how you, the selectmen and police, are acting in this town. This association is like a bowling club or a being a member of the VFW or Elks. The association has nothing to do with the town and you should be acting better than this. This is the reason Winchester is a laughing stock. Some people may not be saying things directly to your faces but you can be rest assured they are snickering behind your backs. Shame on you for acting like you are, stop bringing the rest of us down with your terrible behavior and start abiding by the laws like you expect the rest of us to do.
Just like with the Nate Jette bike incident, where he takes home a bike for one of his kids that doesn’t belong to him. Now you have another cop giving away property that he doesn’t have a right to give away. Money and items donated to this association are donated for the benefit of the officers not for a bribe to town officials.
These people don’t seem to get when things don’t belong to them. They have a history of it.
This is just like with the bike incident, where once Nate Jette found out what he did was wrong, after he openly and publicly told people he took the thing and had to be told by others even when he couldn’t figure that out himself that it was wrong, you would think he would have had enough common sense to admit it and just said, you know, it really wasn’t the right thing to be teaching my kid or anyone else’s so I’m gonna do the right thing and return the bike and buy my kid one that he or she will proud of.
Now here you have Chris Roberts doing the same thing, only he’s lied and said the association agreed to this. There are letters that have been sent back and forth. I understand that one was by email which is the same as a registered letter. What’s the problem here?
Chris Roberts can’t admit that he has done something wrong when it’s clearly been pointed out to him? His ego is so big that he can’t help himself?
These guys think their only obligation is to themselves and the rules are there for them to break them. They use there badge and position to manipulate and control and intimidate and that’s wrong.
There are right ways and wrong ways of doing things and this was the wrong way. To make other officers who weren’t part of your scheme appear to be part of your scheme, when you know that what you did is wrong shows you have a lack of a concern for your fellow officers and their reputation, no conscience about righting a wrong, which is why you seem to have an inability to know right from wrong, and a seemingly OK attitude with using your badge to make things appear legitimate when they aren’t and you have a history of this too.
I hope the informer continues to rattle these cages so all the truth falls out
I'm glad the truth is coming out.
So what is the AG's office doing?
Why don't you call the office yourself and ask your questions, the number was put up in the topic of this blog for everyone .. The AG's office is in Concord ph# 271-3671
There must be some kind of conspiracy going on here. Looking at this whole mess it seems to all boil down to these things.
At least 2 cops are fired around the same time as this letter is presented. Both never had problems before and both have no integrity issues and both are well liked.
Could it be that there were some problems going on behind the scenes that we don't know about?
Maybe these couple of cops were trying to stop wrongdoing?
Both of them let the selectmen know and informed them through this letter about something wrong because they both signed the letter.
Both got ignored by the selectmen, Why?
If there wasn't a conspiracy for injustice why didn't the selectmen call everyone for a meeting of the facts? By the sounds of it both Dan and Warren would have been more than willing.
So who wasn't willing?
Who didn't want this dirty laundry out in public and why wouldn't they want people to know the truth? What were they trying to cover up?
It doesn't make sense to me, does it make sense to anyone else?
One of these cops, Dan, was fired for writing a grievance letter in which he was pointing out inconsistencies in how the department was being run, never knowing what the rules were because they were always changing, unfair practices, policies that were ignored or were just inconsistent in how they were used depending on the name of the officer involved and favoritism and reward for acts not deserving.
Doesn't seem like a really good reason to fire anyone who otherwise had rave reviews does it?
Sounds like a conspiracy to me to keep the truth locked up.
The message is simple - Being part of this team means keep your mouth shut, sit in a corner and stay there until you are ready to do as I say.
Remember these are cops, people who carry guns, have the ability to violate people’s rights, have the ability to intimidate.
You need checks and balances and transparency.
The other cop Warren, was forced out while he was on workers comp and the police department wouldn't give him light duty work like they did for Nate Jette when he got hurt. Why would that be?
What is the real truth that this police department is desperately trying to hide?
There seems to be a conspiracy to get rid of cops that haven't been haven't admitted to taking things that don't belong to them or being demoted because they weren't any good at doing their job.
It's like they have a club where the only way you can belong is to be bad so someone has something to hold over your head to use against you down the road.
If you haven't done anything wrong you can't be in the club or you might expose someone who has done wrong, so boom you're out the door.
So is it me or is there some conspiracy between Gary Phillips, Chris Roberts, Nate Jette and the selectmen to conceal the truth from the public?
And if there is isn’t that illegal?
Speaking of injury...Hey Jette, when you were out on your injury how many times did you take money from the collection jars through out town before the WPA was able to collect the money so they could legally document what was collected? They do this because they are a NON PROFIT organization and are required to document what money was collected before issuing you a check. Don't deny you did this. Many people, including fellow officers saw you take money from collection jars. You took money before it was documented, which, by the way, is reportable income. The sad part about this is you took the money from the collection jar while you looked healthier than an OX. Did you claim the money on your taxes or did you just pocket it? Jette, there is one thing you are certainly good at and that is setting a poor example. How in the world did you make it into police work? Who did yout background investigation? Was one ever done and if so how detailed was it? Did you take a psychological examination, drug test or polygraph? I guess with you its do as I say not as I do!
Speaking of injury...Hey Jette, when you were out on your injury how many times did you take money from the collection jars through out town before the WPA was able to collect the money so they could legally document what was collected? They do this because they are a NON PROFIT organization and are required to document what money was collected before issuing you a check. Don't deny you did this. Many people, including fellow officers saw you take money from collection jars. You took money before it was documented, which, by the way, is reportable income. The sad part about this is you took the money from the collection jar while you looked healthier than an OX. Did you claim the money on your taxes or did you just pocket it? Jette, there is one thing you are certainly good at and that is setting a poor example. How in the world did you make it into police work? Who did yout background investigation? Was one ever done and if so how detailed was it? Did you take a psychological examination, drug test or polygraph? I guess with you its do as I say not as I do!
1.)For the record, the Winchester Police Association never issued Nate Jette any checks.
2.)No money was ever turned over to the Treasurer of the association.
3.)No money was ever deposited on Nate Jette's behalf.
4.)No accounting to the Treasurer was ever provided or made available.
5.)The Treasurer of the association was never provided with any information about how much money had been collected on Nate Jette's behalf.
6.)The association Treasurer has never been provided with any record of any income Nate Jette recieved from these donations.
make love not war..
Speaking of accidents isn't he the one who a few of years back got into another serious accident in mass? He totaled his truck while going home from work and ended up in the hospital. He's been seen driving police cars recklessly and he's been seen driving his own truck to calls. Now I hear he has blue lights in it. Somebody proven this reckless will cost us sooner or later.
Just thought everyone would like to know. Winchester is famous. The Winchester Informer is on the internet. If you do a Google name search using the names mentioned in the blog( Margaret Sharra, Gary Phillips, Chris Roberts , Nate Jette,Dean Beaman Warren, Breau, Dan Reppucci, Paul Mccoomb) at Google.com you will see the Winchester Informer and the related articles.
Hey "Big Nate", at least this is what you are calling yourself on facebook. Why in the world would you want blue lights in your truck? Don't you get enough satisfaction harrassing people, working for Richmond PD and Winchester PD? Whats next? Auxillary State Trooper, Part-time Daputy Sheriff for Cheshire County, Part-time for Marine Patrol and Part-time for Fish & Game. I hear Gene park is looking for part-time help too. Get off your ego trip and work on improving your policing and people skills? You're an embarrassment to the profession!
Please watch the personal attacks, this is borderline; but if we receive a complaint it will be removed.
thank you
I have raised the question before and will raise it again-what kind of help will we get from these officers if we fear for our safety? I think that it is time for the select people and the chief to find officers that the town will trust. I am wondering if the state police would respond to a trouble call. This is a very grave and dangerous situation when the towns people do not trust those sworn to uphold the law.
To the citizens of Winchester. Here are some more facts which can verified by Victor Mlavet, Fred Zeigler, Eric Ammann, Dan Reppucci, Kyle Hodgeman and Chief Phillips who were all present for the physical testing on the first Saturday in June. These facts are an example of inconsistencies, making exceptions for the chosen few and violating police department policy. First of all, here is a little background information on Kenny Smith. Smith, by his own admission took and failed the required physical testing eleven times before Hurley was hired in 2007 which Smith also failed making this his twelth time. Last January Smith was hired without taking the physical test which, by the way, Chief Phillips is allowing Smith to take in December. Smith applied for the full-time position in June on the first Saturday in June he again failed the physical testing along with Eric Ammann. (Warren Breau was not required to take the physical testing because he passed his requirements in April at Police Standards and Training He also passed again on June 30th when he applied in Swanzey. Also, Breau had to pass his run,situps and pushups before he was allowed to process any further in 2006). At the time of Smith's testing in June Smith was 49, but because he was turning 50 in August he asked if he could be tested under the 50 year old standard which would allow him more time to complete the run, let alone the other requirements. The mere fact Smith even asked for an acception is a serious integrity issue. If he was testing in Concord, Police Standards & Training would have sent Smith home and notified his chief about his embarrasing request. Many applicants have been failed by standards and training and sent home because they missed their run by a few seconds. Eric,Warren and and John Melia can attest to this. The fact Smith asked for an acception speaks volumes about his integrity. It seems he does not want to play by the rules. Keep in mind folks Nate Jette did Smith's background and later trained Smith. This is another example of Chief Phillips's double standard hiring practice and rule bending which can also be validated by Royce Pelkey who was extremely frustrated with Phillip's during Smith's and Hurley's physical testing process. Did the selectmen know about Smith not doing the physical testing before he was hired? Phillip's will argue that Smith was not required to take the test until December. Phillips's rule bending and making exceptions is in direct violation of the department's own policy manual which he wrote. Yes folks,there is a physical standard requirement in the ploicy manual which was also in effect when Robert's was hired but he was not required to do. I guess you could say Robert's was hired in violation of department policy. Don't worry folks, Chief Phillips will write a new policy replacing the old. I'll bet a few old policies are still" floating around".
Chris Roberts is another pompus self serving egostical cop who is no better than the criminals he arrests and often times they are better than he is. He lies and he cheats and a lot of people know that and these letters prove it. The rest are getting enlightened, thanks to this blog. Keep up the good work and keep uncovering the dirt there's stuff there to send him to jail.
After reading the by-laws and letters anyone can see there is no provision in the by-laws of this police association that allows anyone to unilaterally make decisions regarding the property belonging to the association and it’s members.
Chris Roberts clearly violated the laws of this association when he made a donation of a table to the Town of Winchester without the consent of the other members.
This wasn’t his personal organization, it belonged to the members – all of the members.
The money was never deposited into the bank and the money was never withdrawn.
Where did the money really come from and where did the money really go?
How come the Treasurer and the President were never given any information about these financial transactions?
What was Chris Roberts trying to hide?
This organization is a private organization and has nothing to do with the town or the police department.
Chris Roberts connived someone into thinking they were making a donation to a good cause.
He states right in his own letter that the seller worked with the Winchester Police Association to lower the price for their cause.
The table was originally $400.00 and he got the seller to reduce his price down to $200.00 – another violation of the by-laws.
Chris Roberts purposely misled these people and lied to them when he didn’t tell them his real plan was to give it to the town.
This shows that Chris Roberts is not an honorable person, he has no integrity, lying for him seems to come second nature and by this action he proves that he does not know the difference between right and wrong.
Chris Roberts clearly told several lies, misled people and omitted information to others.
Isn’t this a cause for concern when he has to testify in court?
Can lawyers, judges, defendants and jury’s really know if Chris Roberts is telling the truth or not when he so easily has a no problem with deception?
What Chris Roberts did here was criminal and he should be punished.
WE HAVE MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS HERE AND THEY NEED ANSWERS.
Why Did CHRIS ROBERTS Get DEMOTED In Hinsdale?
Why Did CHRIS ROBERTS Get Promoted From Sergeant To Lieutenant AND THEN Get DEMOTED To SERGEANT While Working In Hinsdale?
It Wasn't So Hinsdale Could Save Money - They Made Someone Else A Lieutenant In His Place.
So What's The Real Reason Why CHRIS ROBERTS Got DEMOTED?
Hinsdale’s Not In The Habit Of Demoting Officers In It’s Police Department.
Being DEMOTED Is Usually A Form Of Discipline For Some Offense That Is Punishable And Police Departments Use This As A Discipline Tool For Wrongdoing.
Did CHRIS ROBERTS Have Some Wrongdoing Issues?
If This Was An Error Why Didn’t CHIRS ROBERTS Take The Police Department And The Town Of Hinsdale To Court For An Excessive Discipline Charge Or For A Wrongful Discipline Charge?
Why Did CHRIS ROBERTS Take The Demotion And Go To Work The Next Day?
Wouldn’t A Police Officer With Integrity Take This DEMOTION With A Fight?
A Fight All Could Hear Because He Had Nothing To Be Ashamed Of And In Fact Wanted To Tell His Story?
Why Would Any Police Officer Let Their Name Be SULLIED If They Have Nothing Wrong Unless There Is A Basis For The Actions That Led To The DEMOTION?
What Did CHRIS ROBERTS Do In Hinsdale That Caused His Chief and The Town Officials To Feel DEMOTION Was An Appropriate Measure For A Member Of The Police Department And CHRIS ROBERTS In Particular?
How Did CHRIS ROBERTS After Getting FIRED From Hinsdale End Up In Winchester Getting TWO Promotions In A Year And Three Months?
Maybe The Chief Will Explain That To Us.
How About It Chief Phillips, Ready To Tell Us The Truth About Your Police Department And What Really Goes On There? We Have A Lot Of Questions.
Why was Chris Roberts who was hired on March 21, 2008 as a Master Patrolmen getting Sergeants pay when he was not doing Sergeant duties?
What agreement to circumvent policy did Chris Roberts and Gary Phillips make when Gary Phillips hired him?
He did not have the responsibilities of Sergeant but was making the money that the Sergeant already there and fully experienced was making.
Why would that be?
Chris Roberts got a promotion to Sergeant 6 months after being hired in September of 2008.
After only 6 months with the Town of Winchester and after being fired from Hinsdale Chris Roberts was promoted to Sergeant.
What responsibilities did he take on to earn that rank?
I think these people who may think they are in charge are going to be in for a rude awakening.
At the very least they will have to come to the public and acknowledge that wrongdoing has been occurring under their watch.
There can't possibly any be any way for all of this to be untrue.
I believe for all the corruption and problems that are being talked about here at some point, some agency will have to do a thorough investigation of this town and those in power.
When people name names and they are willing to talk it usually means there is something there and it usually isn't just nonsense.
This town screams out for someone to come and help put order back to it's people.
Good luck.
Chris Roberts asked Chief Phillips to be hired as a Sergeant because he was a Sergeant in Hinsdale.Talk about arrogance! Phillips told Roberts he would not do that right away but he would give him Sergeants pay and bring him on as a Master Patrolman. In essence Roberts was hired as a supervisor. Chris Roberts told a fellow officer he was told by Chief Phillips all he had to do was to "keep his nose clean for six months and he would be promoted to Sergeant". In fact when Roberts was promoted at the department meeting the first thing he asked about was the 3% raise.Keep in mind folks,Chris Roberts was a Sergeant in Hinsdale without supervisory authority because of his pis poor attitude. He was not liked by his fellow officers there. Even his best friend Mike Bomba no longer associates with Roberts except to say hello because of a falling out they had. Chris and Mike grew up together as if they were joined at the hip. They were insepperable growing up through high school and in law enforcement. Bomba even helped Roberts build his house. What happened to ruin their friendship? I doubt it had anything to do with Bomba.Roberts was a Lieutenant who was demoted because of his poor attitude towards fellow officers and citizens of Hinsdale. He did not completing supervisory training classes so he could learn how to deal with people, (which, by the way he was given 2 years to complete). This is in his personnel file at Hinsdale and documented in his background investigation at Winchester. Also, Chief Phillips's promotional process is without merit. There are no testing or interview processes. Seppe, Rivera, Reppucci as well as Roberts were all "tossed" their stripes, chevrons and Lt. bars in front of other dept members during a department meeting. There is nothing formal about promotions. Reppucci was promoted to Corporal and then a week or two later he was promoted to Sergeant. Let's face it folks, the promotional process in Winchester is based on the "good old boy" syndrome. Its " hey buddy you have been here a while I'll make you a sergeant". Nate Jette was given the rank of Master Patrolman based on what, his quality of work or lack thereof, his negative attitude, his taking of property without permission, no wait, he had permission from Sergeant Rivera,repeated policy violations,insubordination and being on the cusp of termination or being let go. These are your prequsites for being a supervisor under Gary Phillips. Here is a prediction folks: Phillips retires, selectmen promote Roberts to Chief, Jette promoted to Patrol Sergeant, Fisher promoted to Detetive Sergeant if he hasn't already been , Hurley promoted to Master Patrolman at his three year anniversary in October 2010. Mary an is given the "boot" and Erin Gusan is made department secretary. Hell, promote em all I say. Lets see,a seven man department with a Chief, Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants and a Master Patrolman. Who supervises who? I guess figment comes in at 7, alter comes in at 8 and ego comes in at 8:30.
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