PALMER TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 3/2010@8:00PM
Present, Mr. Burns, Mrs. Barry, Mr. Magiera, Mr. Dugauy, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Williams, Mr. Duda, Mr. Heilman, Mr. Remillard, Mr. Streeter ;Town Manager, with Atty. Martell [ Representing Mr. Streeter] Atty. Dupere [representing the Palmer Town Council]
ROLL CALL VOTE 9/0 to enter into Executive Session
Meeting called to order at 8:06pm Mr. Burns opened the meeting by explaining how the meeting would be conducted. Each complaint would be read then Mr. Streeter could respond. Mr. Streeter's Lawyer requested that the Council give Mr. Streeter more time to prepare for this. There are a lot of issue’s to address. Mr. Burns said he wouldn’t consider this as most of these issues were taken from Mr. Streeter’s review. Mr. Dugauy made a motion to give Mr. Streeter 30 days to better prepare himself. Mr. Hebert second motion failed 2/0/7 Mr. Dugauy, Mr. Hebert in favor all others against.
There were fifteen different complaints that were addressed, listed below,
- Failure to present a budget to the Town Council in a timely manner despite repeated agreements to do so.
- Failure to accept the recommendations of the Town Council with regard to the budget process. The Town Manager has consistently failed to support the direction of the Town Council, and has openly sought to undermine the Council.
- Failure to ensure consistent and regular communications with department heads. Nearly all of whom report this as a primary concern. Department head meetings are virtually nonexistent.
After discussion of the above complaint, at 8:40 pm, Mr. Magiera requested a two minute recess 8:43 the meeting continued. Mr. Magiera asked Mr. Streeter if he still wanted to work for the Town. I understand this is not pleasant, and we have a long way to go if you don’t want to continue, and would be willing to settle on a dollar figure, not the six month pay we can work it out. The meeting again recessed to allow Mr. Streeter to discuss this with his Lawyer. They returned shortly and declined to respond to the offer.
- Inappropriate handling of cable contract negotiations.
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- The Town Manager’s actions towards a number of employees could be seen as hostile. His interaction with employees on a number of occasions has been unacceptable at best.
- The Town Manager routinely fails to provide the Town Council with timely and accurate information.
- Inconsistent communication with the Council with regard to labor negotiations.
- Lack of a team mentality, more often than not the Town Manager appears to treat the relationship with the Council as a whole as an adversarial relationship.
- Town Manager does not seem to work in the best interest of the community.
- Minimal progress toward goals, and no clear direction for the future.
- Failure to follow through with grants. Grant funds not expended.
- Failure to delegate tasks to Department Heads appropriately.
- Lack of follow through.
- The Town Manager is regularly unprepared for meetings and ill informed. He is often unable to answer direct questions about issues he brings before the Council.
- The Town Manager has failed on a regular basis to follow Council directives.
The last two items were not discussed as the council concurred that they were redundant. Mr. Heilman made a motion to terminate Mr. Streeter. Mrs. Barry second for discussion purposes a short discussion took place then a roll call vote of 7/0/2 in favor Mr. Dugauy, Mr. Hebert were against. Mr. Magiera made a motion to adjourn seconded, by Mr. Hebert roll call vote of 9/0/0 all in favor a copy of the complaint letter is attached.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY PAUL BURNS, TOWN COUNCIL PRESIDENT
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