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ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING
<br /> November 22 , 1982 at 10 : 00 a.m.
<br /> PRESENT : Chairwoman, B . Jean Thomas , Selectmen Chester A. Garland, Executive
<br /> Secretary Joseph F . Murphy.
<br /> GUESTS : Police Chief Curtis Frye, Fire Chief James Priestly, Sergeant Morris
<br /> Cooper, Firefighter Richard Martini , Mr. Edward F. O'Brien Esq, re-
<br /> presenting Sgt. Cooper, Mr. David Dottridge , Mr. Mark McLaughlin from
<br /> the Falmouth Enterprise , and Mr. Brian Talcy from the Cape Cod Times ,
<br /> 10 :00 a.m, - Chm. Thomas said, We asked you gentlemen to meet with us just
<br /> to get your input on the accusations made by this lady that was
<br /> in here last Wednesday . The Executive Secretary has sent you a
<br /> notice, and this is an informal meeting. You are not on trial
<br /> here , neither are the Selectmen. This meeting is just to gather
<br /> information. If you want, you have the right to have this in an
<br /> executive session, if you do just say so . " She asked Sgt . Cooper
<br /> and Firefighter Martini seperately. Neither wanted an executive
<br /> session. Chm. Thomas said, "with that, I have tried to under-
<br /> line some of the things , Mrs, Tremblett has alleged when she met
<br /> with us ; that she was placed in a situation during the investiga-
<br /> tion, that she was put in a position of being guilty until she
<br /> could prove her innocence , and you will find that on page four
<br /> of the minutes . " Chm. Thomas asked Sgt . Cooper if he had read
<br /> the minutes . He replied he had. Chm. Thomas said, "why don' t
<br /> we give Dick a few minutes to read them, and when you are ready
<br /> just let us know. " Copies of the minutes and a copy of the letter
<br /> from Dean Sullivan from Cape Code Community College was given to
<br /> all parties concerned. Chm, Thomas asked Sgt. Cooper, " what do
<br /> you have to say about this incident as you read it, and what
<br /> happened as to your performance during the investigation? " Sgt.
<br /> Cooper said, " I think that, " Sgt . Cooper was advised by Mr.
<br /> O' Brien, his Attorney, not to say anything. Mr. O'Brien, Attorney,
<br /> spoke . He said, " I think you have to realize being an officer
<br /> you are putting him rather in a difficult situation, he is an
<br /> officer conducting an investigation, as such the only priviledge
<br /> or only communique he should have during this conduct while -he is
<br /> conducting this investigation is with the office of the District
<br /> Attorney. " His only support is to the office of the District
<br /> Attorney. " Chm. Thomas asked, " May I ask Sgt. Cooper if the
<br /> investigation is still in place. " Sgt. Cooper answered that it
<br /> was . Mr. O' Brien said, "any questions directed towards him that
<br /> would concern in detail the investigation itself, could be very
<br /> detrimental and I think you should contact the office of the
<br /> District Attorney to determine what their status is and what their
<br /> feelings are about this, and that is the only reason I say this,
<br /> not that I don' t wnat Sgt. Cooper to answer anything of that
<br /> nature. " Chm. Thomas , "we are not accusing any of our employees
<br /> of anything, it has just been alledged to us . Firefighter Martini
<br /> do you have anything to say to us . " Mx. Martini, " all I have
<br /> to say is , I have been doing investigation of fires since 1911 ,
<br /> and in the course of this investigation or any investigations
<br /> there wasn 't any deviation in teckniques or questions asked. In
<br /> this particular investigation there was never any accusatory ac-
<br /> cusatory statements made . As far as saying guilty until proven
<br /> innocent, Mr. Tremblett'asked two or three times during. the. day._
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