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Brentwood board approves consent agenda as resident questions former employee severance
Summary
The Brentwood board approved its consent agenda including payroll and accounts payable. During public comment, resident Liz Feria asked about the total compensation and severance paid to former employee John Ventura; town staff said the figures in the annual report reflect total compensation and that severance was paid as a payroll expense.
The Brentwood Town Board approved its consent agenda Tuesday, including payroll and accounts payable figures, after a brief public comment about a former town employee’s compensation.
At the start of public comment, resident Liz Feria of South Road asked the board about figures in the town’s 2024 annual report, saying, “on page 37 of the annual report 2024, it said that we paid John Ventura … $179,325.52.” Andrea (town staff member) replied, “That would be his total compensation for his employment. Yes. Total salary.” When Feria asked whether severance and continued medical and dental coverage were still being paid, Andrea said those were covered “as per the severance agreement.”
Why it matters: The questions drew attention to how the town records compensation and severance in budget and reporting documents ahead of town meeting. The board did not change any financial item during public comment; board members directed the public to the printed annual report for details.
Board action and financial figures: The chair reviewed payroll and accounts payable prior to the vote. The meeting packet listed payroll for the period at $37,350.25 and accounts payable at $44,246.95; the board also recorded large scheduled ACH payments to Swayze for $245,000 and to the co‑op for $709,932. After discussion and the usual motion-and-second process, the board voted to approve the consent agenda.
Public access and recordkeeping: Andrea noted public and nonpublic minutes are included in the consent packet and encouraged distribution practices that would allow the board to review minutes electronically before meetings.
Ending: The board closed public comment and moved on to scheduled discussion items. Resident questions about compensation were referred to the printed annual report for full figures.
