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Board summarizes investigation and separation agreement with former executive director; investigation costs estimated at ~$120,000
Summary
Board leaders summarized a finalized separation agreement with former ED Cara Leeper, noting her paid administrative leave, a one-time payment and accumulated vacation, and that an external investigation and legal costs totaled roughly $120,000; portions of the investigation remain exempt from public disclosure.
The Northampton Housing Authority board on March 16 provided an update on the separation agreement and investigation related to former executive director Cara Leeper.
Chairperson Patricia Healey told the board that Leeper had a five-year employment contract scheduled to run through June 2028 and that for calendar year 2025 she was paid about $210,000, a figure that also covered management contracts with Easthampton, the Hilltowns and Hatfield. Board members said Leeper was placed on paid administrative leave beginning in late March and continuing through Dec. 19, 2025, and that the negotiated separation included a one-time payment of $35,000 and payment of accumulated vacation.
The board hired outside investigators (Green and Hayber) and legal counsel (Brown and Joy) to oversee an impartial investigation. "No employees of the Housing Authority or the Board have the legal right to the contents of the investigation," Healey said, adding that interviews and supporting documents are protected by attorney–client privilege and personnel exemptions under public records law. The board reported an estimated combined cost for the investigation and legal services of approximately $120,000.
Why it matters: Commissioners framed the action as a board-level response to a whistleblower complaint filed in January 2025 that required an independent investigation and a separation agreement. The board said the executive summary was reviewed in executive session and remains exempt from public disclosure on counsel's advice.
Next steps: The board said it will proceed with hiring a new executive director and has appointed Sharon Kimball as acting executive director while continuing accounting work. The separation agreement and a copy of the executive summary will be attached to the minutes in redacted form as required by counsel guidance.
The board did not open the investigation documents or the full investigative interviews to the public, citing legal privilege and personnel privacy.
