WESTBROOK – The Westbrook City Council on Monday gave preliminary approval to separate settlement agreements with two female city firefighters who in 2008 accused the city’s fire department of sexual harassment.
However, the unanimous first reading vote authorizing the settlement of the legal claims that firefighters Lisa Theberge and Kathy Rogers had filed against the city took place with no discussion by councilors. Details of the settlements, such as how much monetary compensation is involved, were not revealed.
City Administrator Jerre Bryant and the firefighters’ lawyer, Rebecca Webber, said details of the settlements are confidential by state law.
The American Journal has filed a freedom of information request for the information, but had not received a response from the city by the paper’s deadline on Wednesday.
The only public details about the agreements that Bryant revealed in a memo to the City Council were the names of the two firefighters and that the settlements were “regarding litigation filed for alleged damages” arising from the women’s employment with the fire department. The two firefighters had lawsuits pending against the city.
The City Council had previously reviewed the terms of the settlements and the agreements were supported by city administration, Bryant’s memo said.
Monday’s vote was a first reading approval. A second, final vote on the agreements is expected at an upcoming meeting, probably the council’s next regular meeting, set for Sept. 13.
Theberge and Rogers went on paid administrative leave in September 2008 due to what they said was a hostile work environment at the fire department.
Sexual harassment had been an issue in the department for decades, but the charges by Theberge and Rogers brought it to the forefront.
Their complaints led to a city investigation and the punishment of seven firefighters in December 2008.
Then, at her inauguration this year, Mayor Colleen Hilton vowed to re-invent the fire department. She did not re-appoint the fire chief and the deputy chief.
The city in March hired two temporary leadership consultants – Chief Michael Pardue and Deputy Fire Chief Sandra Hillsgrove – to head the department, and all fire department personnel underwent training in harassment prevention and communication.
The city also said its plan was to create an environment in the department that would enable Theberge and Rogers to come back to work.
Theberge returned to the job in June, just as the harassment prevention training was wrapping up.
It was not clear this week when Rogers might return to work. Bryant said that she remains an employee of the city, but would not comment further.
In the past, Rogers twice settled with the city over complaints of harassment and discrimination, in 1994 and again 10 years later, in 2004. At that time, she received $76,000 through five years, as well as 540 hours of sick time and $39,000 for legal fees.
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