Patten board chair's company tore down an asbestos-filled town building; no fine
In April 2025, Smallwood Inc., owned by Patten Select Board Chair Gregg Smallwood, demolished the town's 1941 recreation center although a January 2024 survey and a 2024 Environmental Protection Agency report had found asbestos in it. The Maine DEP issued the town a notice of violation for failing to notify the state, not using a licensed asbestos contractor and not following abatement practices, saying Smallwood was not licensed for the work; it required corrective action but imposed no fine. Town Manager Gail Albert resigned in December 2025, saying the board had asked her to engage in illegal activities, including transferring $12,000 of town funds to a nonprofit without a town vote. In late April 2026 former deputy clerk Laura White sued the town in federal court, alleging she was fired in 2023 for objecting to the board removing a mining executive's remarks from meeting minutes. Smallwood has declined to comment.
The town’s violations include not notifying the DEP prior to demolition, not using a state-licensed asbestos removal contractor and failing to use proper asbestos abatement work practices.
“I was asked to transfer $12,000 of town funds to a nonprofit organization,” Albert said. “When I informed the board this action requires a vote by the town legislative body, I was met with combativeness and disregard for the law.”
The suit states White was fired after she detailed alleged illegal actions taken by town officials and stated her personal opposition to Wolfden Resources’ failed Pickett Mountain Mining Project.
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