To the editor:

I arrived early for the December 4th Special Town Meeting regarding problems within the Westport Treasury Department. It proved to be a fortunate decision in that I learned from casual conversations with other voters that there were personnel turnover and job performance issues with Mr. Brightman going back several years.

Another piece of anecdotal information obtained prior to the special meeting was that the Westport Town Treasury department had functioned properly for many years prior to Mr. Brightman’s election as treasurer in April 2014.

He doesn’t seem to have many supporters on the Finance Committee right now, but he must have had support at one time. Based on town salary information, Mr. Brightman received a 2015 income of about $41,800. In subsequent years, 2016 and 2017, he received $62,900 and $65,500. His 50 percent salary increase for 2016 is most impressive. Who approved that increase?

Mr. Brightman now joins the list of current and past personnel who have been less than excellent town employees. Remember Jack Sisson, James Walsh, and Nicole Botelho?

Westport should limit elected positions to Selectmen and School Committee members only, and initiate a detailed analysis of how Westport manages human resources. We have a long history with these types of problems, and the accumulated waste of taxpayer dollars is significant. I estimate over $1 million in legal expenses, pay and benefits for work not performed, contracting for substitute services, and other associated expenses.

Elliot Whipple

Westport