After heated debate, Barrington voters subvert 2A Tactical's bid to remove town officials

BARRINGTON  — A Barrington firearms dealer and resident submitted a petitioned warrant article asking voters to recommend removing two town officials. Instead, his article was amended to voice support and praise for the officials and voters then approved it.

Hundreds of voters turned out Saturday to Barrington Middle School for a special town meeting deliberative session to debate the warrant article calling for the removal of Town Administrator Conner MacIver and Town Treasurer Peter Royce.

Rob Russell, owner of 2A Tactical, a licensed firearms retailer, submitted the petitioned warrant article, accusing MacIver and Royce of bias toward his business and improper handling of dealings he had with the town.

But at the deliberative session the warrant article was completely changed, amended by selectman Joyce Cappiello to read "To see if the town will vote to encourage the select board to continue the employment of Conner MacIver and Peter Royce in their current positions with the town of Barrington and to recognize the many contributions the two have made to the town throughout their tenures."

The amended article passed on a vote of 158 to 99. Immediately after the vote was announced, a resident in the back of the room moved to restrict reconsideration of the vote. That passed 109-60, effectively ending discussion.

The article, as amended, will go to the voters for final say on Oct. 18. Town attorney Laura Spector-Morgan told voters that both articles were advisory anyway and did not bind the board to take any action.

Rob Russell is a disabled veteran who served in Afghanistan, a resident of the town and owner of 2A Tactical. He operates the business out of his Tolend Road home. He said he has been the victim of bias against him shown by MacIver and Royce, who is a neighbor.

"Our business grew and we realized we needed a new home," said Russell. "What I never planned for was the war against my business here."

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Russell has purchased land to move his business to Route 125, but said the battle with the town has delayed that move.

"The town tried to get an emergency injunction to shut me down," said Russell. "Where was the emergency? There was no need for that frivolous lawsuit that the town eventually dropped anyway because it had no merit."

Emotions ran high, and after Russell interrupted a couple of speakers to disagree with what they said, former Selectman Andy Knapp suggested that he be removed if he could not allow people their right to speak.

Knapp's remark caused a woman to say "You are taking away his voice by changing the article. You are not giving him the platform he requested." She advocated for letting voters act on the original article.

No matter what side of the issue they fell on, almost everyone seemed to feel that not only the lawsuit, but the cost of a special town meeting was frivolous and should have been avoided.

"There is not a leg to stand on here," said Jack Gale. "We are not going to run people out of town because we don't like something they did. Next, it might be a cop who gave you a speeding ticket, or the plow driver who scraped your yard."

For his part, Russell said he was grateful to those who came out in support of his cause.

"While I was discouraged by the statements by the BOS and the change of the Warrant Article, I was greatly encouraged by the turnout and the support," Russell said. "The fight is not over and they will still need to deal with the County Attorney’s Office.  And regardless, this brought to light a lot of serious issues that may have not had visibility otherwise."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Barrington NH voters scuttle effort to remove town officials