Rye City Council approved the election of two new members to the Rye Fire Department Monday night. Andrew Dapolite was named to the Poningoe Engine and Hose Company; Lester Milman to the Fire Police Patrol.
Later in the regular meeting of the Rye City Council, Councilmember Joe Sack reiterated his position that should be thoroughly investigated and that the matter had not been adequately addressed by the Rye Ethics Board.
"We can't just sweep these allegations under the rug," said Sack, "anything less would be doing a great disservice to the people of Rye."
Councilmember Catherine Parker, who spoke following Sack's remarks, was pragmatic about the prospects of reopening the matter for further consideration. "I have not felt that the outcome has been particularly good for Rye...we did not do what the Charter directs us to do. At this point I believe our colleagues, the consensus is, that we should move on."
In fact, Councilmember Laura Brett said the Ethics Board process had revealed some shortcomings that needed to be addressed. "Unfortunately, because this all played out very publicly, it became difficult to reach a resolution that was satisfactory," said Brett. She said the Council needed to find a way to review matters that might involve the City Manager "in a way that is internal and private."
Councilmember Peter Jovanovich commended Nicole Levitsky of RyeTV and said it would be unfair to put her through a second set of inquiries.
Mayor Doug French said that all workshops and meeting will be taped and broadcast to avoid confusion about RyeTV policy and that off-site meetings or other situations that might make videotaping public meetings difficult would be avoided.
