November 23, 2024
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Milo board lists reasons for manager’s suspension

MILO – As required by the town charter, selectmen on Friday provided Town Manager Jane Jones a written list of issues that prompted the board to suspend her temporarily.

Jones now has 20 days to ask for a due process hearing.

After an executive session with Jones on Sept. 13, selectmen placed her on administrative leave for up to 45 days. In addition, they directed Milo police to secure the town manager’s office computer, change the locks on the office door, and escort Jones from the office with her personal items.

Jerry Brown, who was voted new board chairman after the previous chairman, Jerry Cole, resigned after the executive session, said at the time that “the leave is to allow the selectmen time to investigate [alleged] charges of financial misconduct by the town manager.”

Jones, the town manager for 17 years, has defended her reputation, denying that any funds have been mishandled during her administration.

Brown said Sunday the list of issues outlined in the addendum addresses the “just cause” clause in the charter:

? Jones allegedly failed to forward town documents to the selectmen, specifically the management letters that accompanied the 2004 and 2005 municipal audits.

? She [allegedly] purposefully shredded public documents leading up to the Sept. 13 board meeting.

? She allegedly violated the executive session seal by passing information from an executive session to a town employee. The information allegedly passed to the employee included the false assertion that Selectman Tony Hamlin had made disparaging comments about two ex-employees. The false information was allegedly passed to the employee for relay to the ex-employees and for the purpose of harming Hamlin’s reputation.

? Jones intentionally [allegedly] paid a town employee in a manner designed to help avoid employment taxes. In addition, the employee did not receive tax documents from Milo for this time period that was more than a year in duration. Such a violation of Federal Tax Code Title 26 carries a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than a year or both.

? Selectmen allege that Jones failed to fulfill her fiduciary duties to Milo as detailed in the recently completed auditor’s report. She also failed to forward an invoice for reimbursement for police academy training of $28,000.

? The board also alleged Jones was insubordinate by intentionally disregarding two direct motions by the board on Aug. 7: one to measure a Willow Street property in dispute and report to the board, and second to contact the town’s auditor to set up an appointment for a public hearing. When she failed to do so, Hamlin made the appointment.


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