Ellsworth City Council votes to release four-page summary and cost of investigation after staff testimony

The Ellsworth City Council voted to release a four-page summary of an internal investigation and to publish the cost of the inquiry after extended staff testimony that described a pattern of intimidation and low morale.

Deputy City Manager Sarah Devlin told the council she submitted a memo on Feb. 11, 2026 to make leaders aware of "the magnitude and duration" of staff concerns, saying employees had been "discouraged by repeated accusations and increasingly hostile interactions" and that some came to her office "visibly upset." Devlin said her remarks were "grounded in my values, in my strong sense of right and wrong, and my duty to serve this community and the employees of this city." She urged protections for staff and cautioned that releasing detailed investigative materials could expose employees to retaliation.

City Manager Pierce told the council the situation had created a "chilling environment" for staff and said internal personnel processes were developed to protect employees. He said he was surprised to learn, from public remarks, about elements of the investigation that staff had not disclosed to him, including allegations that photographs of license plates had been taken as part of an inquiry.

Councillor Steve O'Halloran, who was the subject of the complaint described to the council, pushed for full release at first, saying taxpayers paid for the investigation and "you should get to see it." Later in the meeting he said the city's HR director persuaded him that releasing the full report could make employees vulnerable to retaliation.

Council debate centered on balancing transparency with worker safety. Councilor Shay emphasized statutory and federal protections that entitle employees to a safe work environment and urged against disclosures that could expose staff. Councilor Martineau countered that taxpayer payment for an investigation does not automatically make investigatory details public, citing other investigatory frameworks where confidentiality is preserved. Several council members said they would support releasing a limited summary to protect staff.

A motion to release the four-page summary prepared by legal counsel and to publish the investigation's cost was moved and seconded; the presiding officer called for the vote and declared the motion carried. The council then adjourned.

The council recorded that HR and legal counsel had recommended releasing only limited pages to protect employees; it also asked staff to publish the costs associated with the investigation. The meeting did not authorize releasing the full investigation report, and the record does not show a public vote to disclose additional pages beyond the four-page summary.