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Resident demands transparency over $125,000 severance and missing letter; council says documents will be reviewed
Summary
At a council meeting, Anna D'Alessandrotonio pressed officials to release an intent‑to‑sue letter and explain a $125,000 severance paid to former manager Mr. Cave. The solicitor and council said some documents are withheld for litigation or insurance guidance and pledged further review and community meetings about audits.
Resident Anna D'Alessandrotonio (speaker 12) used public comment to press the borough for greater transparency on audits, school‑field gate hours and a $125,000 severance paid to a former borough manager identified in the record as Mr. Cave.
D'Alessandrotonio asked when the 2023 and 2024 audits would be posted, whether the 2025 audit engagement letter had been signed and why an apparent intent‑to‑sue letter referenced in the manager’s communications had not been produced despite a Right‑to‑Know/Office of Open Records ruling. “We need real accountability regarding the $125,000 severance that was paid to Mr. Cave,” she said, and asked whether the letter was drafted as part of a preplanned exit strategy.
Council President (speaker 1) and management responded that finance reports and DCED filings are being updated and that staff are soliciting audit proposals after receiving an initial quote above $100,000. The president said staff would meet with the school district about the gate timer issue and would schedule the requested finance workshop.
On the severance and the referenced letter, the transcript records D'Alessandrotonio saying the Office of Open Records ruled residents have a right to the document but it “remains completely hidden.” The solicitor’s report (summarized by the resident in public comment) was described as citing insurer advice; the solicitor was quoted as saying counsel “listened to its advisers,” language D'Alessandrotonio called ambiguous. The solicitor (speaker 14) declined to discuss details of ongoing litigation when prompted, saying he could not explain specifics because the matter is pending.
The council did not take immediate formal action on the severance question during public comment; staff said they would follow up on audit postings and the resident‑requested disclosures. D'Alessandrotonio also raised concerns about police recruitment pay (a $103,000 starting patrol salary referenced in the public comment) and asked council to reexamine the structure to protect the borough’s long‑term finances.
Next steps: the borough said audits and financial reports will be posted when available, staff will pursue the requested finance workshop and management/solicitor will follow up on the record‑production questions consistent with litigation and insurance constraints.
