SOUTH DEERFIELD — Despite the threat of litigation, there is “no new information” following an hour-long executive session to discuss a subpoena that was issued to the water supply district by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office just over a month ago.
Attending Thursday afternoon’s meeting was the South Deerfield Water Supply District’s attorney, John Connors, who was there to help consult the district’s commissioners.
Following the meeting, Connors was not immediately available for comment, but Commissioner Gary Stokarski said there is “no new information” regarding the subpoena.
Superintendent Roger Sadoski, who also attended the meeting, said afterward he did not know of any information on the investigation.
A subpoena for the district was delivered to newly installed Commissioner Shawn Bowman on May 9 by a detective with the Attorney General’s Office. The contents of the subpoena are still unknown. The Attorney General’s Office has said it is not its practice to confirm or deny whether there is an investigation.
Before entering into executive session Thursday, Stokarski, serving his first term, stated it was to review the subpoena information and to clarify questions the commissioners might have.
Stokarski added, noting he and Bowman are newly elected and Chairman David Wells is in his second year as a commissioner, “We’re pretty new to this.” Sadoski then replied, “I think we’re all pretty new to this.”
Connors added the reason for an executive session was to discuss the “threat of litigation.” Stokarski concurred, saying the subpoena states there is a threat of litigation.
In addition to the executive session, the commissioners and superintendent discussed the staffing shortages and the need to fill a vacancy for a licensed staff member. On May 31, the district’s licensed operator Scott McCarthy quit, according to minutes from the district.
Sadoski said he has spoken with Amherst’s district, along with others, for a possible mutual aid agreement. The district has until June 25 to have a licensed operator or someone contracted to do so on board.
The commissioners also discussed plans for hiring a new superintendent, hoping to post the position in the next couple of weeks, with Sadoski’s desire to retire hanging over the situation of the staffing concerns.
Sadoski reiterated his belief that it is highly unlikely the district will find a qualified candidate to take over the work as he was doing it — working both in the field and in the office.