Spencer Fair gridlock sparks heated discussion

SPENCER – Police and Selectmen agreed that plans for traffic and parking at the Spencer Fair failed this past weekend. They disagreed, however, about social media posts by two board members, which criticized the situation.

Police Chief Michael Befford noted everyone in his department “worked tirelessly” over the weekend but quickly realized a new traffic pattern was failing. One reason was because instead of following signs and directives on the roads, motorists were following GPS instructions, he said. The new scenario was abandoned after 1 ½ hours.

Also, Befford said despite numerous mutual aid calls for help with traffic details, they were met with disinterest. He said a lot of officers had done traffic details for the fair in the past and realized it was not worth it, including “being ridiculed by motorists.”

The police chief said the town has 51 weeks to come up with a plan that is safe for everyone. However, Befford noted the event has outgrown the available parking – with spaces for approximately 4,000 cars and attendance reaching an all-time high of 17,000 visitors on Sunday. Saturday’s attendance was 15,000 and Monday was 9,000.

“The infrastructure of the roads is not built for that,” he added.

Another issue was the outside company hired to control parking did not arrive until a couple of hours after attendees turned out. As a result, “People were parking every which way and it was messed up,” the police chief said.

He noted that Gillette Stadium has six lanes of highway and hundreds of officers on duty and it still takes hours to get out following an event.

Selectmen raise concerns

Selectman Gary Woodbury said he witnessed a public safety issue with certain intersections not having coverage. He said he spoke with a Leicester firefighter who was standing on the side of the road providing “no (traffic) control whatsoever.”

“How do we get better?” he asked.

Selectman Ralph Hicks said he heard from people “who were not happy campers,” and felt especially concerned that emergency vehicles would not have been able to get through the gridlock.

He was also unhappy that “people were trapped in their homes while the fair was in progress.”

Hicks said he wanted Andrew Lynch of the Agricultural Association to attend a future meeting as it is that group that oversees the Spencer Fair. He expressed disappointment over Lynch’s absence.

Selectmen Vice Chair Jonathan Viner said he would like to see “more than a guy on the corner with his hands in his pockets,” when traffic was in such chaos.

“We need a plan in place when we run out of capacity to park,” he said.

Viner noted he also saw “limited being done to even alleviate issues.”

In the future, Befford said a possibility is to find other remote parking areas and bus people in to the fair.

Woodbury noted they needed more input from the Agricultural Association as they are liable for what happens. “People got turned away, devastated, and kids were crying in cars. That’s more embarrassing than traffic.”

Police morale hurt by comments

Lt. Norman Hodgerney called the Spencer Fair a “hallmark event,” in the community where he has worked for 27 years. He said the department realized very quickly that the sign boards and light towers they were using were not needed because motorists had GPS systems guiding them, creating problems.

He spoke about all the efforts made to get mutual aid and how four firefighters stepped up to fill shifts. Paying $65 hour on a holiday weekend is not attractive when other towns pay $90, he noted.

In addition, when officers works that Spencer Fair detail once, they typically never return, he said.

When the lots are filled, Hodgerney said, “No officer can direct cars into places that don’t exist.”

He brought up how Viner and Woodbury posted negative comments on social media about the job being done, noting such remarks ruined morale at the department and makes it difficult to retain and attract personnel.

He said “poor support from the top,” coupled with lower salaries, a small number of officers, not the best equipment and “the bare minimum,” given to do the job results in a “critical state of public safety.”

“I am livid,” Hodgerney said, about the social media remarks, “undercutting,” the department and damaging the officers’ morale.

“Physical and mental health burnout is a real thing,” he added.

Hodgerney said police officers get punched in the face, spit on, yelled at and kicked in the groin while carrying heavy workloads and double shifts to keep the town covered.

He asked the selectmen not to undermine employees, invest in police, fire and EMS as well as come up with infrastructure changes and satellite parking alternatives for future fairs.

Hodgerney also asked for an apology from Woodbury and Viner.

Hicks recalled the 1990s when the state had to take over the police department, part-time officers “not trained or properly supervised,” worked and leadership resigned.

“Spencer was not the safest place in the world,” Hicks said, and the town was laughed at. “I don’t want to go back there. I saw what happened…I lived the nightmare.”

Hicks added he was “disheartened,” to see the criticism and said he was the only selectman to openly support the override by writing letters to the editor. He said public safety employees deserve respect and he is concerned about the future of the Spencer Rescue Squad and police and fire departments.

“We’re in a fork in the road,” Hicks said.

Woodbury said he has been an advocate for public safety “since day one.” He said the social media remarks were not directed at any police officer. “I appreciate what you do.”

Instead, they were made from concern for public safety. “I can’t change who I am,” Woodbury noted, while apologizing “if I offended anyone.”

Viner said his opinion was predicated on what was to take place (to control traffic) when the board was given very little information. He said they need a more open process “so everyone can understand circumstances.”

Viner added he was “pissed off,” when he made the comments—witnessing “two major intersections, one guy doing nothing. It reflects poorly on all of you.”

Hodgerney said selectmen should have called him or the police chief to discuss their concerns rather than resort to social media criticism.

Selectmen John Howard and Chair Jared Grigg praised the police for the work they do in town.

Grigg stood up and said he realized “you do more with less,” and thanked them. “I’m sorry for what brought this here,” he added.

Bringing the discussion to an end, Town Administrator Jeff Bridges said he would invite Lynch to a meeting and schedule one in May for a progress update on plans for the next Spencer Fair to resolve these matters.