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Belleville residents demand reinstatement of Recreation Director Tom Augusta after abrupt removal
Summary
Scores of residents packed a Belleville council meeting to urge reinstatement of Recreation Director Tom Augusta after his Friday removal; petitioners said more than 1,000 signatures oppose the decision and the township manager said personnel actions fall to his office.
Dozens of Belleville residents filled the council chamber to demand the reinstatement of Recreation Director Tom Augusta after the township manager removed him late Friday.
William Cannon, who identified himself as a Belleville resident, said more than 1,000 people had signed a petition asking the township to reverse the decision and described Augusta’s decades of local service. “The dismissal of director Augusta would serve as a tremendous loss for the entire community,” Cannon said, urging the council and manager to reinstate him.
Speakers representing parents, coaches and longtime residents recounted Augusta’s role as a coach, mentor and former police officer and said his absence would harm youth programs. Multiple public commenters described organized online petitions and repeatedly asked for a clear explanation of why the director was removed.
Township Manager (who spoke without giving a public name) told the audience that hiring and firing are part of his day-to-day duties and said there is a personnel process the township must follow. “I make day-to-day decisions…I take full responsibility for the day-to-day operation,” the manager said, adding that personnel matters are often confidential and may require executive-session handling.
Several council members acknowledged the public’s concern and said they had not been fully briefed on the matter. Councilmember Graziano said he remained “in the dark” about the details, and asked for more transparency going forward.
The meeting did not produce a reversal or formal vote on the personnel action; council members explained that the governing body’s power over individual personnel decisions is limited and that the manager, as the township’s chief administrative officer, executes day-to-day employment actions. Officials urged residents to schedule meetings with the township manager or await any forthcoming executive-session discussion that could address personnel issues.
The council took no formal action to reinstate Augusta during the meeting. The discussion concluded with the manager promising to consider community feedback; the council then recessed to continue regular agenda business.
