VERNON -- The Vernon Selectboard has denied the complaints from former Police Chief Kevin Turnley, who filed a suit against them last month.
The Selectboard -- and the town, which is also named in the original suit -- filed a response in Windham Superior Court on Tuesday to refute Turnley’s allegations that he is owed for hundreds of hours of overtime pay.
His complaint, filed Oct. 6, also states the Selectboard refused to adequately fund and staff the police force while repeatedly violating the state’s Open Meeting Law by entering into executive session to "micro-manage" Turnley’s department during his tenure.
John T. Leddy, with the Burlington-based McNeil, Leddy & Sheahan, P.C., is representing the town and Selectboard in the case and said he could not comment at this time.
Leddy said the case is on the docket and will go through the process of pre-trial discovery.
Turnley’s attorney, William M. McCarty of McCarty & Buehler, P.C. in Brattleboro, was unavailable for comment Friday afternoon.
In the town’s four-page defense filed at the courthouse, Vernon officials affirm Turnley failed to state a claim upon which relief is granted, and they acted in good faith.
His damages, if any, are limited to back pay, according to the court records.
Both sides have requested a trial by jury on all issues.
The Selectboard fired Turnley on Oct. 26 after going into executive session for 30 minutes with
In a letter to Turnley explaining his termination, the board stated he deliberately made false statements to town officials and the public during a recent forum regarding his knowledge of a potential public safety issue.
He will have a hearing in front of the board on Monday, beginning at 7 p.m., at the Town Offices.
Prior to his firing, Turnley was the town chief for more than three years and served as the DARE officer to the elementary school.
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