WRENTHAM - The feud between the police union and the board of selectmen has widened, with selectmen abruptly canceling a public forum at the end of Tuesday night's board meeting, where police intended to confront selectmen about the ongoing Internet controversy.

"We're not having a public forum this evening," Chairwoman Mary Dunn said, declaring the meeting adjourned. The vote to adjourn the meeting was 2-1, with Selectman George Labonte dissenting and Dunn abstaining. Jennifer Firth and John Zizza, subjects of the so-called blog controversy, voted in favor.

"We're here as residents of Wrentham and taxpayers," said police Sgt. William McGrath, the head of the police union. "We're here to address a matter between Mrs. Firth and the police."

Firth countered: "I have a right to have an executive session."

Dunn said that while a public forum is listed on the agenda, there is a notation that "this agenda is subject to change." The boiling issue stems largely from comments Firth made at a February selectmen meeting concerning an Internet blog, where comments critical of selectmen were posted. Firth speculated a police officer posted the comments and Zizza backed her up, the union contends.

Accompanied by three police officers, McGrath said after the meeting he intended to read a statement addressing the issues.

"This open forum was created as an opportunity for residents and taxpayers to voice concerns about issues in town," McGrath said. "It is a continuation of their efforts to hope the issue has died."

Dunn said later, "I don't think it is productive to continue" discussion of the issue. "This is union business, and not the place to take priority over town business," she said.

Dunn added that it is appropriate to cancel the public forum, "if you think a volatile situation is going to take place."

McGrath discounted that the controversy is solely a union issue, saying it involves the integrity of selectmen.

He also noted it was Dunn who originally pushed for public forums during selectmen meetings.

Dunn confirmed that she did so during the late 1990s, when she wasn't on the board. She said Tuesday's meeting was the first she could recall in which the forum was canceled when someone wanted to speak.

"That is my prerogative," Dunn said. "I run this meeting."

McGrath called that a double standard, saying Firth was able to get the issue on the agenda of the February meeting. Dunn said the union was invited to meet with her and Police Chief Joseph Collamati Jr., but declined. She said the union has been put on the April 3 selectmen's agenda, but she is requesting that the union indicate beforehand what it plans to discuss.

"I've given them every opportunity to come to the table," Dunn said.

McGrath said all police officers not working the night shift had planned to attend Tuesday's meeting, but because the board "attempted to label us bullies and intimidators, we pared down our presence."

Firth and Zizza are the subject of a complaint by the police union to the state Ethics Commission that they have discredited the department with their statements.

Firth said she has been told by the ethics commission the issue has been essentially dismissed, but McGrath insists that is not true.

The commission neither confirms nor denies investigations.

The Norfolk County District Attorney's office two weeks ago found no evidence that a police officer made threats on the Web site freerepublic.com. Dunn said she thought the issue was moot at that time.

The union has also demanded Firth's resignation.

STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.