Graham, Donna
From: Laurie Ortolano <{iiEaatieiaenaupeetiees-
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2021 7:51 AM
To: Graham, Donna; Bell, Patricia
Ce: Legal Dept; Carignan, Michael (Police); Testaverde, Jim (Police); Jim Tollner; Nick Dahl;
Matt Plante; Board of Assessors; Board of Aldermen; Mayor's Office Email
Subject: My Arrest in City Hall
CAUTION: This email came from outside of the organization. Do not click links/open attachments if source is
unknown.
Donna and Patricia, Please submit this letter into the public board packets at the next public meeting.
IT'S A BAD LOOK TO ARREST CITIZENS IN CITY HALL
At the June 30, 2021 Board of Assessor’s meeting, Deputy Attorney Leonard made a statement on record regarding
my February 17, 2021 arrest in City Hall.
Ms. Ortolano’s ... It is because she forced her way into the locked legal office, sat in front of my office, and would
not leave until the police came. It had nothing to do with time or date stamping, assessment or abatement
applications. As Ms. Ortolano is well aware, the legal office does not do that.
It was a shameful, unwarranted arrest for Deputy Attorney Leonard, Attorney Bolton, Mayor Donchess and Chief
Carignan to order. The arrest was made 26 days after the police escorted me from the building, determining, at that
time, that the “incident” required no action.
Here is what Deputy Attorney Leonard knew:
- The city website did not say the Legal office was closed or appointments were necessary.
- She was not in the office when I walked into the legal office, fabricating the “forced” entry without being present.
- The Assessing Office policy for processing abatement applications requires the office to provide an immediate
date/time stamp to the property owner as proof of receipt.
: there were no provisions set up by the City to accommodate property owners to comply with city policy and
provide an in-person receipt.
- We were in the midst of a pandemic and the assessing office was closed with construction delays.
- The legal office was responding to questions citizens had about the processing of the abatement applications.
* She made a choice that day to not assist a citizen with a reasonable business request.
- She made the choice to view my trip to the legal office as a matter of trespassing.
- She fabricated my actions as hostile and threatening.
I was welcomed into City Hall, as no appointment was necessary for my requested business, on January 22, 2021 by
the entry person. I had no intention of going to the legal office that day, but when other city offices were closed, I
knew the legal office would have the ability to provide a receipt.
That day in City Hall, I was representing two senior citizens having prepared their property abatement applications.
The City was heavily overtaxing some property owners in a mobile home park. I stayed in the legal office, sat in the
legal hallway in a quiet protest waiting for someone to help me. Rather than just stamping the applications and
sending me on my way, the legal office called the police.
