January 30, 2009
Eagle Tribune
ATKINSON — Leon Artus thinks police Chief Philip Consentino has been intimidating residents who support a warrant article that could cost the chief his job.
He feels so strongly about it he is preparing to sue Consentino, selectmen and the town of Atkinson.
Artus, founder of the Atkinson Taxpayer Committee, said he never had a problem with Consentino until earlier this month when he was collecting signatures for a petitioned warrant article that would put Consentino out of a job. The article directs the town to hire a full-time police chief — with a bachelor’s degree and 15 years experience.
Consentino is a part-time chief, limited to 25 hours a week. He said he is the lowest-paid member of the Police Department, with an annual salary of approximately $21,000.
Artus also was involved in collecting signatures for a warrant article that would expand the town’s elderly affairs services, another department headed by Consentino. The chief is not paid for his work as elderly affairs director.
Artus’ attorney, Charles Douglas, said he plans to file the lawsuit next week. Douglas, a former state Supreme Court justice, said filing a notice of intent is the first step in the process and he did so on Wednesday.
“The letter summarizes what will be in the suit,” Douglas said.
Douglas sent a letter to selectmen this week, claiming within hours of the two petitioned articles being delivered to the town office, Consentino “was calling elderly signatories to demand an explanation as to why they had signed petitions which might impact his long hold on the Police Department and Elderly Affairs Office.”
Douglas’ letter claims Consentino’s actions violated Artus’ civil rights. He goes on to say Consentino used his position as police chief and elderly affairs director to intimidate citizens into silence.
Consentino could not be reached for comment yesterday.
But it’s not the first time these claims have been made since the petitioned articles were submitted.
Two weeks ago, Consentino said he did contact three people who signed the articles to question why they wanted him out of a job. But he denied intimidating anyone. That same day, he said, he received a letter from an elderly resident, thanking him for his help during the ice storm. Consentino said he was surprised to see her name on a petition that would oust him from his job.
Artus said yesterday the articles aren’t targeting Consentino.
“This is about moving the Atkinson police department into the 21st century,” Artus said. “If he can’t qualify for the job — he’s had it for a long time — let someone else who’s qualified do it,”
Consentino is a 40-year veteran of the Atkinson Police Department, a former three-term selectman and the director of elderly affairs.
The elderly affairs article is intended to expand the program and allow it to benefit more citizens, according to Artus. There is nothing in the article that would remove Consentino from his job as its director, he said.
Douglas’ letter also takes selectmen to task for not reprimanding Consentino.
“The town’s inaction constitutes an established pattern and practice of ratifying and complying with Chief Consentino’s flagrant violations of Atkinson residents’ civil rights,” Douglas wrote.
Selectmen William Friel and Fred Childs said last night they had not seen Douglas’ letter. But they also said Artus has never come to selectmen to complain about Consentino.