TEMPLETON — Templeton’s interim Select Board Chair Matthew Rivard has announced his resignation, citing a hostile environment, inflammatory social media posts by board members, and what he described as the “relentless wrath and vitriol of the residents.”
According to The Gardner News, Rivard submitted a letter to the town clerk on March 15, stating that he would step down from his position at the conclusion of the board’s regular business meeting on March 26. His resignation follows the recent departures of former Select Board Chair Michael Currie and Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne. Currie resigned his chairmanship in the middle of a meeting about a week ago after facing criticism from board members regarding his professionalism, while Lamontagne stepped down on March 4, also citing a “hostile environment” as one of his reasons.
Board unable to come together
Rivard, who took over as interim chair following Currie’s resignation on March 12, expressed frustration with the board’s inability to work together.
“I write this message with a discouraged mindset,” Rivard said in his resignation letter, which was cc’d to fellow board members. “I am discouraged by the inability of the Select Board to come together to advance the needs of this Town and its residents. I am discouraged by the seemingly endless onslaught of residents who find it necessary to tear down the people who are basically volunteering their time to help run the town and attempt to move it forward into the future.”
Board members’ ‘inflammatory’ social media posts cited as reason for resignation
Rivard also criticized some of his fellow board members for their conduct online, stating that they had contributed to division within the community.
“I am most discouraged by actions of my fellow board members to further sow the seeds of discord within the community by reposting inflammatory messages on social media,” Rivard wrote.
Beyond the internal conflicts, Rivard expressed concern over the town’s unwillingness to invest in its own future. He warned that Templeton was on track to repeat the financial struggles it faced in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
“The town seems unable and unwilling to work to make changes that have become necessary because of recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the rampant inflation that followed,” he said. “You must spend money to make money, or in this case spend money to attract business that will make money.”
Family concerns factored into resignation
In his letter, Rivard also said he was unwilling to subject his family, particularly his children, to the negativity and personal attacks he had endured from some residents.
“[My children] deserve to grow up with a father who is not constantly having to fight back the exaggerations, fabrications and outright lies of others trying to discredit him for trying to do what is right for the town,” he wrote.
Despite stepping away, Rivard expressed hope that Templeton would move past its challenges and focus on future progress.
“[W]hen that happens, I will be here with full-throated support to do so,” he wrote.
In his letter, Rivard also said he was unwilling to subject his family, particularly his children, to the negativity and personal attacks he had endured from some residents.
Like the personal attack he and another board member have made against a female neighbor. I’m glad he is gone hopefully the rest go with him.
Oh do tell! What happened??