SALISBURY — Two local property owners got a police escort out of Town Hall on Monday night, after they failed to adhere to the chairman's request to stop talking.
Joyce and Grace Marie Tomaselli, owners of the property at 115 North End Blvd., have long had problems with Salisbury's sewer service billing practices, including betterment and monthly fees. When the town raised sewer fees last month, the sisters again took their objections before selectmen.
At the public hearing on the rate increase two weeks ago, selectmen listened to the Tomasellis, but didn't agree with their position. After explaining the reasoning behind the need to raise fees and the method used to bill households, selectmen proceeded to approve the rate increase of $10 per month. It was the first time in about 15 years that monthly sewer fees were raised.
At this week's meeting, the sisters were back again, unwilling to let the issue rest.
When selectmen Chairman Jerry Klima asked for general comments from visitors, both women took to the podium. Although Klima explained the issues surrounding the rate increase again, the sisters proceeded to take selectmen to task for the sewer rate increase, as well as proclaiming the town had overcharged them for sewer costs for 18 years. The sisters have twice sued the town over its sewer issue, losing on both occasions.
As the discussion grew more heated and accusatory, Klima told both Joyce and Grace Marie Tomaselli to stop talking and sit down. Grace Marie Tomaselli told selectmen they wanted to silence the women because they didn't want residents to hear what they had to say.
"This is non-productive," Klima said again. "I'm going to ask you to please sit down."
Initially refusing to be silenced, Grace Marie Tomaselli left the podium with a threat.
"I may get off the podium, but this is just the beginning," she told selectmen angrily.
Joyce Tomaselli, however, refused to leave the podium. When she chastised Town Manager Neil Harrington for his failure to respond to their calls, Harrington — silent until then — spoke up.
"When you live in Salisbury again and you pay the town the more than $100,000 in back taxes you owe, I'll (call you back)," Harrington said. "You haven't paid your taxes in years. You don't live in Salisbury. You live in Seabrook."
While Joyce Tomaselli protested she did live in Salisbury, Selectman Don Beaulieu decided to end the tirade another way. He made a motion to adjourn the meeting to go into executive session to consider a union issue. His colleagues all voted to approve his motion.
The five selectmen walked out of the meeting room while Joyce Tomaselli continued to speak. Even after the meeting ended, the recording equipment in Town Hall's television studio that had been broadcasting the meeting continued to pick up the women's protests as they walked out into the corridor.
Although he didn't know who, Beaulieu said someone called the police. When an officer arrived, he escorted both women out of the building, Beaulieu said.
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