City Council approval could be required for severance payments of more than $3,000 made to Westbrook city employees who leave their jobs.
The request for such an amendment to the city’s human resources policies and procedures came about after a disagreement between city councilors and Mayor Bruce Chuluda about whether he was authorized to write a check for more than $50,000, plus the cost of benefits, to Tina Crellin, former human resources director. Crellin resigned her position in September 2007 after a public dispute with City Councilor Michael Foley. She was paid the remainder of her salary through June, leaving the city without the money to hire a replacement. Since Crellin’s resignation, City Administrator Jerre Bryant has been acting as human resources director.
Bryant said the city will start advertising for a new human resources director as soon as a search for a new economic and community development director is completed. The city’s former economic and community development director, Erik Carson, resigned in March. He said the human resources director would be able to start working as early as July 1.
The City Council took its first look Monday at an amendment to the city’s policy on severance packages to city employees.
The administration proposed requiring the City Council’s approval of severance packages only if the payment exceeds $3,000 and the funds had not been previously appropriated by the council. If the City Council already appropriated the money, the proposal only requires that the mayor inform the council in writing. If the payment is less than $3,000, no notification or approval would be required.
Councilor Drew Gattine objected to the proposal, requesting that all severance payments exceeding $3,000 require council approval. Gattine proposed removing the clause about the council’s previous appropriation of funds, thus making all severance payments of more than $3,000 require council approval. The council gave preliminary approval to the amended policy, including Gattine’s change, in a 4-1 vote, with councilors Gattine, Lyle Cramer, Brendan Rielly and Michael Foley in favor of it and Councilor John O’Hara opposed.
Councilors Dotty Aube and Suzanne Joyce were not at the meeting.
“This is an issue that needs to be resolved so we can have the right level of openness and transparency,” Gattine said.
The council will revisit the issue and vote on its final approval at a meeting on Monday, May 19, at 7 p.m. in Room 114 at Westbrook High School.
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