Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board votes to reimburse former town administrator $2,616.20 contingent on signed general release
Summary
The Select Board approved reimbursing former Town Administrator for legal bills totaling $2,616.20, contingent on the former administrator signing a general release; the vote passed 3–2.
The Select Board voted 3–2 Wednesday to reimburse the former town administrator $2,616.20 for legal fees on condition that the former administrator sign a general release covering claims related to his employment.
The former town administrator had requested the reimbursement in an email to the board. Town counsel advised there is no legal obligation under the employment contract to pay the attorney fees, but that the board could choose to make a payment in exchange for a general release to resolve potential future claims. The proposed release included standard language releasing the town and its current and former officials from “any and all charges, complaints, claims, and liabilities of any nature known or unknown in connection with my employment.”
Select Board member Jeff Curry made the motion to reimburse $2,616.20 upon signing the release. Following discussion and a request to state the exact amount in the release, the board amended the motion language to reflect the specific dollar amount. After a roll-call vote, the motion passed 3 yes, 2 no. Tim Toth and Jeff Bennett voted no; Jeff Curry, Terry Griffiths and Matthew Rivard voted yes.
Town counsel noted the payment is discretionary; the release is intended to close potential future litigation claims between the parties. If the former administrator declines to sign, the town will not make the payment. The board recorded the action and instructed town counsel to provide the final release form for signature.
