LIVERMORE FALLS – Discussion over a series of e-mails between a selectman and the town manager requesting information on a sewer project became contentious when the issues were aired in open session.

Town Manager Martin Puckett sent an e-mail to the “select board” Wednesday, Aug. 1, requesting an executive session on Monday, Aug. 6, to discuss his concerns about Selectman Julie Deschesne’s request to be updated on the Sewall Street project and going to the sewer superintendent to get that information after he had sent her two replies that there would be an update on the project on Monday.

Deschesne opted to have the complaints about her aired in open session Monday and not executive session as Puckett requested.

She sent Puckett e-mails beginning Monday, July 30, requesting information on the project after she noticed equipment heading out of town.

She followed up Tuesday, July 31, and again Aug. 1, with two e-mails asking for an update saying residents were asking her questions and she would like to give them answers.

Puckett said Monday that he had really hoped to talk to Deschesne in private about the issues, including multiple e-mails.

He said Deschesne’s actions had caused the team structure of the board to dissolve.

“There is a structure in municipal government,” he said

Not one person runs the board and no one person is supposed to jump over department heads to get to employees, he said.

“Julie, I feel that there has been issues between you and I, and I want to work through them I don’t feel you give me the same respect as I have given toward you.”

He said running the town should be a group effort.

“Are you saying I bypassed you” and went over your head to the department head? Deschesne asked.

She said she went to the sewer superintendent because constituents were calling her, and she wanted to get them answers.

Deschesne said she went through Puckett to try to get answers and also as a sewer trustee, she has the right to go to Sewer Superintendent Kent Mitchell to get information.

“This town has a town manager form of government,” Puckett said, that has a hierarchy structure.

Deschesne continued to ask Puckett questions about the sewer project and wanted to know at what point he knew Sewall Street wouldn’t be done.

The board voted July 16 to take $20,000 from the sewer reserve to replace a sewer line on Sewall Street, but learned Monday it was going to cost about $50,000.

Deschesne said there was a communication issue that had been discussed previously.

“I do not work for just one board member,” Puckett said.

“I felt residents calling me deserved answers,” Deschesne said, and she went to the next available resource.

“Just hearing the way you talk to me now, I feel you twisted this on me. It boils down to respect,” Puckett said. “I feel I’m trying to do the best on behalf of the town. I don’t think providing little side projects for one board member is the best use of my time.”

“People elected me. People have a right to ask me questions,” Deschesne replied.

After several more comments that involved others, Selectman Louise Chabot said, “I think that we are getting out of control.

“I think this should have been in private session” between herself and Puckett, she said, “not executive session. I think it’s bigger than Sewall Street.”