ROCKPORT — The Rockport Select Board spent almost two hours behind closed doors Sept. 10 in a meeting prior to it regularly scheduled open meeting discussing a personnel issue that no one will talk about publicly. However, the board did exit its executive session and voted unanimously to have Town Manager Rick Bates hire a consultant to assist with team building.

While the issue is cloaked quietly behind personnel law, which means no one is to talk about it, there has been plenty of background chatter, and the team-building is to take place among town staff, the entire full-time roster of approximately 27 employees.

The issue has cost the town, so far, $2,200 with the contracting of a third-party investigator; in this case, Attorney Jon Goodman, of the Portland-based firm Troubh Heisler.

Goodman interviewed Rockport employees last month after being requisitioned by Rockport Select Board Chairman Doug Cole in July. That followed a July 12 executive meeting for the sole purpose of considering a personnel issue. 

Troubh Heisler charged the town $250 to investigate complaints made by a town employee. The terms of the municipal contract with the law firm were made public in late August following two Freedom of Access requests.

Team-building has been a trend with roots in the 1920s that has become an industry. The cost of the Rockport staff team-building has yet to be determined.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclacny@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657