DPW Head Blasted for Bartering Surplus Vehicles for Services-September 24, 1980

Public Works Superintendent Paul E. Wollenhaupt faced a public reprimand from the Board of Selectmen last night over a non-cash barter arrangement involving surplus town vehicles and a local auto body shop.

Unauthorized Bartering and Budget-Stretching Defense

Selectmen sharply criticized Wollenhaupt for exercising “poor judgment,” though officials affirmed their belief that the superintendent derived no personal profit or financial gain from the arrangement. Wollenhaupt explained that he mistakenly believed he held discretion to dispose of surplus items valued under $500. Under town regulations, however, the authority to dispose of items valued at $500 or less rests with the selectmen, while items exceeding $500 require formal Town Meeting approval.

Wollenhaupt stated that his only completed transaction was trading a surplus 1972 dump truck to Richard F. Spicer of Rick’s Auto Body at 25 East Hoyle St. in exchange for three paint jobs needed for other DPW vehicles. Contending that the swap provided excellent value for the town—noting the truck would have yielded far less than $500 as a trade-in—Wollenhaupt explained the barter was an attempt to stretch a limited maintenance and repair budget.

Addressing rumors, Wollenhaupt denied plans to barter away all seven vehicles on the surplus equipment list. He acknowledged that a 1974 sedan had been temporarily located at Rick’s Auto Body but confirmed it was never traded away, noting that discussions with Town Clerk and Accountant Robert M. Thornton indicated two surplus trash compactors should instead be put out to public bid.

Town Manager Response and Selectmen Rebuke

Town Manager John J. Carroll stated he initially advised Wollenhaupt that bartering was impermissible and later instructed him to retrieve all equipment and cancel any outstanding credit arrangements—orders Wollenhaupt promptly executed. Carroll accepted some criticism for failing to immediately mandate the arrangement’s cancellation upon first learning of it and apologized for not briefing the board.

The reprimand drew strong reactions from the board:

• Selectman Walter J. Dempsey: Expressed irritation at learning of the controversy through a newspaper account rather than firsthand, though he abstained from joining in the verbal dressing down.
• Selectman Mary J. Fox: Chided Wollenhaupt for exercising “very poor judgment” in singling out one body shop among many in town and successfully called for a comprehensive inventory of all DPW equipment purchased since the fiscal year began on July 1.
• Selectman John F. Kinnaly: Terse and sharply critical, Kinnaly labeled the deal “totally improper” and described it as “almost bordering a sense of arrogance, a heck-with-the-system attitude.”
• Chairman William J. Plasko: Concurred that Wollenhaupt sought no personal profit, though he stopped short of a total exoneration, leaving the matter open should new information emerge.

Despite the controversy, when asked afterward whether Wollenhaupt—whom he appointed last January—still retained his full confidence, Town Manager Carroll replied simply, “Sure he does.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger