NORTH HAVEN, Conn. -- North Haven's first selectman said at a Thursday Board of Selectmen meeting that he will not step down from his position despite the recent scandal to hit Town Hall.

Last week, three town employees were arrested on accusations of misusing the town's money.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Len Bestoff reported that voices became raised at Thursday's meeting after a taxpayer asked First Selectman Kevin Kopetz to step down in the wake of the scandal.

"I do take and accept responsibility," Kopetz said. "But in doing so, I also take responsibility to fix these matters."

Investigators accused longtime community services director Joseph Ierardi of embezzlement and falsifying overtime. They accused Ierardi's wife, Patricia, who works for him in the same department, along with finance director Vincent Palmieri, of attempting to help Ierardi, also the Republican town chairman, to cover the alleged scandal up.

Bestoff reported that Kopetz did receive encouragement from many members of the crowded audience Thursday, many of whom are town employees or elected leaders.

"We expect you to lead us through this and out of this and we elected you to do that and I thank you for what you have been doing up until now," said John Lambert.

Those calling for Kopetz's resignation pointed to affidavits that indicate Kopetz knew about the scandal involving his fellow Republicans -- a party that has controlled the 152-year-old town for the majority of its existence.

"It's on your watch and I am not going to let them sit back there and make everything sound like rabbits and puppy dogs are running around town, because it's not and everybody in town knows that," said Gary Amato.

Kopetz said he is putting a number of safeguards in place to prevent anything similar from happening in the town again.

The first selectman confirmed that the Ierardis have submitted papers for retirement, and still remain on paid administrative leave.

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