By Sarah Opdahl

A special meeting of the New Fairfield Board of Selectmen (BOS) was held on Monday, July 7, for the Director of Health Mr. Tim Simpkins, who has served the Town for 38 years. With a heavy amount of support in Town, having worked closely with multitudes in his tenure, the reaction to possible action against Simpkins, who is set to retire in a matter of days, was resounding at the meeting.

The meeting was fraught with tension and confusion, and Town Attorney Mr. Tim Herbst was visibly distressed with the vocal public, several times threatening removal of persons in attendance. Mr. Joe Summa, Simpkins’s legal counsel, took issue with the nature of the meeting, which was classified as “possible disciplinary action” in the BOS agenda, but which would instead presumably cover matters listed in a letter to Simpkins regarding his “possible termination,” which was referenced several times by Summa. Herbst and co-counsel Ms. Heather Spade instead said that the meeting was a “personnel” discussion. Summa asked for clarification on the point of possible termination within the Executive Session, as that would be a matter of “due process” requiring a full public Termination Hearing and witnesses. Summa said, “The amount of due process that’s required depends on the magnitude of the property interest and depends on the circumstances of the case. Frankly, I can’t imagine a bigger property interest than a 38 year, distinguished career in a town,” to which those in attendance cheered.

Simpkins had the choice to hold the meeting in public or Executive Session and he chose to keep the proceeding private, which lasted for 90 minutes with no comments of decision at the exit. Before entering the Executive Session, Simpkins asked why the First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey waited five months to hold this proceeding, referring to the fallout that occurred, sounding the controversial termination of the Town Sanitarian, Zach Drzal. At that time, the sanitarian’s license had inadvertently expired but was cleared by the state. Simpkins also expressed that he lacks trust in relations with the administration. There are other points of discussion that were sent to Simpkins that were not discussed at this meeting. Next steps are unclear at this time as Simpkins prepares for his retirement on Friday, July 11.