The talk of the town in Groton, New Hampshire, is a judge's order barring the town's three managers from speaking to one another. The three members of the Board of Selectmen are accused of falsifying a federal aid application to illegally get more funds for the town. Judge Jean Burling issued the order because prosecutors wanted to prevent witness-tampering or collusion. Meanwhile, local government is in a fix. Some bills have gone unpaid because checks need the signatures of two selectmen. The trial is set for June, which is a major problem since the board members -- who can't talk to each other -- must propose a budget to the town by Feb. 5. "The townspeople can't believe a judge would issue such an order," resident Ken Martell said. "She not only sealed their lips, she tied their hands."
Small Town Gag
The talk of the town in Groton, New Hampshire, is a judge's order barring the town's three managers from speaking to one another. The three members of the Board of Selectmen are accused of falsifying a federal aid application to illegally get more funds for the town. Judge Jean Burling issued the order because prosecutors wanted to prevent witness-tampering or collusion. Meanwhile, local government is in a fix. Some bills have gone unpaid because checks need the signatures of two selectmen. The trial is set for June, which is a major problem since the board members -- who can't talk to each other -- must propose a budget to the town by Feb. 5. "The townspeople can't believe a judge would issue such an order," resident Ken Martell said. "She not only sealed their lips, she tied their hands."
