BETHEL – A Bethel Airport Authority member excused himself from Wednesday night’s meeting rather than listen to concerns raised about his conduct at a meeting last month.

After Chairwoman Cathy Newell gave pilot Tony Milligan of Rumford the floor to address the board, member John Head stood up to excuse himself.

Head said that he refused to discuss something that he hadn’t first had a chance to read before the meeting. Then, he abruptly walked out.

Milligan, who is also a law enforcement officer in Maine, played a tape recording of the Authority’s Aug. 18 meeting.

He also passed out transcripts of the nearly 2-minute segment in which Head and Authority member Arlan Jodrey spoke out against Milligan’s right to address the board.

Milligan was not present at that meeting, but had complained at the Authority’s July meeting about problems with incorrect airport gas gauges causing possible overcharges, reports of vandalism to aircraft and fuel thefts.

According to the Aug. 18 meeting transcript and recording, Head and Jodrey spoke out against Milligan and his right to address and threaten the board with legal action.

Jodrey raised concerns he had with “a non-taxpayer threatening the town/Airport Authority.”

Head could then be heard saying on the tape, “I have suggestions for people who come from other towns, come here and tell us how to run our airport. Go talk with the Legislature about building you one out there in Albany or building one over in Rumford.”

At Wednesday night’s meeting, Milligan said he only wanted a chance to air his concerns about Jodrey’s and Head’s comments. Jodrey was not at Wednesday night’s meeting due to a health problem.

Milligan said the town is required by law to have its airport fuel pump properly calibrated and certified by an authorized sealer of weights. But, he said, the town had consistently refused or failed to comply, so he told the board in July that he would report the violation.

“There was no threat made,” Milligan said. “A duly authorized law enforcement officer informed the board that they were in violation of Maine law and ordered them to make a call to correct the violation … or legal action would ensue.”

Airport Manager Scott Cole said after the meeting that “nobody’s been getting ripped off.”

The town is to have the fuel pump meter calibrated on Sept. 24.