PARIS – A rift on the Paris Board of Selectmen appeared to widen Monday as some members refused to discuss “legal concerns” with a town attorney.

Selectman Barbara Payne has on several occasions raised concerns about how the board conducts business. On Monday, she requested that the board discuss “some legal issues” with new Town Manager Sharon Jackson and a town attorney.

Although Selectman Gerald Kilgore seconded Payne’s motion, Chairman Bill Merrill and Selectmen Bruce Hanson and Raymond Glover did not appear to vote.

“I haven’t seen anything specifically that’s been done,” Glover said, when asked to comment. “It’s almost like a witch hunt here.”

Hanson told Payne she has made “rash” and subjective statements without citing specific issues.

In a letter dated Dec. 20, Payne told the board she was concerned about memos that may have been seen only by Merrill. She referred to a Dec. 7 article that appeared in the Sun Journal, which quoted Merrill as saying, “If I put every item or memo I have on the agenda, we’d be there two days in a row.'”

Payne wrote, “While every item or memo’ may not be placed on the agenda every board member has a right to know about them.” She then requested copies of all items or memos received by Merrill since July 1.

Payne also wrote that she has “been informed of two recent cases where information was withheld and/or placed in a secret file.”

Glover and Hanson on Monday said the board could not decide whether to meet in executive session for only general accusations. However, Payne would only say that her concerns centered around both personnel matters and files that may contain information that is not intended for the public.

“As far as I know, Barbara, everything that comes to me, a copy is made for everyone on the board,” Merrill said.

Kilgore had earlier commented that an attorney will be at the next selectmen’s meeting whether the board was “all in favor or not.”

“And things will be brought up that have been done that shouldn’t have been done,” he said.

But the board refused to endorse Payne’s call for an executive session.

“I don’t consider character assassination or personal vendettas to be executive session material,” Hanson said.