Rescue probe Right to Know request denied

Below, an image of the Right to Know denial document

LEBANON - The Lebanon Voice’s request for a copy of the five-month-long Rescue Department probe conducted by Lebanon Selectmen Chairman Robert W. Frizzell and town attorney Alan Shepard of Shepard and Read Law Firm of Kennebunk has been denied on the grounds that no such report exists, it was told yesterday.

The denial was signed and emailed to The Lebanon Voice on Monday, more than 10 days after the request was officially presented to Town Hall personnel.

In the denial, Frizzell states that: “No wrongdoing was discovered therefore no report exists. Had there been anything warranting disiplinary (cq) action then there would have been a report.”

The probe began in October when at least five Lebanon Rescue Department volunteers – some high ranking - filed grievances with the town over alleged shoddy work practices and safety violations practiced by the Rescue Department. The grievances also outlined sloppy and inconsistent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) practiced by its leadership, Rescue Chief Samantha Cole; and the assistant rescue chief and selectman, husband Jason Cole.

The probe was conducted by Frizzell, known as a longtime political ally of Jason Cole’s. Selectwoman Karen Gerrish was left out of the probe on advice of Shepard who felt her findings might be compromised after he bitterly fought campaign for the selectman’s seat two years ago against Jason Cole.

Frizzell has always maintained he led the probe, but at a selectmen’s meeting earlier this year, Jason Cole insisted that Shepard had led the probe.

Neither Jason Cole nor Frizzell were available for comment.