After 40 days on leave, Bernier still hanging

By David Carkhuff

By the time North Conway Water Precinct commissioners meet on Wednesday, their superintendent could be sitting at home, coming off his 40th day on paid administrative leave, still under orders not to enter precinct property.Early last month, precinct commissioners voted 2-1 to hire an investigator to review an incident in which Bernier admitted he lost his temper. Bernier said he reacted to a gibe made by his predecessor, Gary Chandler, during the precinct's annual meeting, when Chandler suggested Bernier was parking his precinct truck at local bars. Bernier admitted to losing his temper the next day when someone else brought up the comment.In a statement to the board on May 9, Bernier said, "I hold sacred my character and my credibility and find the comments made toward me to be offensive. And as a result I made a comment about former superintendent Gary Chandler which I repeated more than once within earshot of several precinct employees. If any of these comments have offended anyone I once again apologize for my actions, which were out of character, and I can assure you all that it won't happen again. I'd also like you to know that I'd like to return to work, the sooner the better."Bernier concluded by stating to the board, "We're getting further behind the longer I'm out of work. Thank you for giving me the opportunity."Board members meeting with Bernier refused to comment on their next steps but told Bernier they would try to meet with him again during the week. Bernier said he hasn't heard another word from the board since."I'm still waiting to hear," Bernier said Monday in a telephone interview.During the interview via cell phone, he was at Red Jacket Mountain View Motor Inn, pausing from overseeing installation of sewer and water services for a new water park at the resort.Bernier said he double-checked his telephone answering machine and computer."I checked all my e-mails this morning, I didn't have any e-mail, and no phone calls," he said.During the past 40 days, board members have declined to comment on the Bernier situation.Their regular commission meeting is at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, but it's unclear if the board will invite Bernier in and talk to him again, like they did on May 9.In an April 6 letter to Bernier, board members Mary Gaudette and Michelle Seavey wrote, "This is to inform you that, effective April 6, 2007, you are being placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into your conduct on March 29, 2007 following the annual meeting. You will be contacted by the person conducting the investigation and are expected and specifically instructed to cooperate fully in the investigation. During your leave you are instructed not to come in the precinct office and not to use precinct facilities or equipment. Further, during the administrative leave, you are instructed to refrain from contacting or speaking with any employee of the North Conway Water Precinct; however, you will make yourself available to answer any questions regarding the operation of the North Conway Water Precinct."Commissioner Jim Umberger refused to sign the letter.The board has remained tight-lipped about any findings from the investigation, only acknowledging that it took two days to complete and cost $4,200. Meanwhile, Bernier is working from remote locations."I have not heard a word since Wednesday," Bernier said Monday.In the more than a month that Bernier has spent on paid administrative leave, he has continued to do his job, but he has been without the resources of his precinct office. He continues to wait for notice that he can return."I don't know what my plan is until I hear word," Bernier said Monday. "It depends on what they're going to tell me. I just want to get back to work because there's only so much I can do from home. It's going to take the better part of the summer to get caught up."