EASTHAMPTON — Mayor Nicole LaChapelle is launching an independent investigation into a claim by former mayor Michael Tautznik that recent changes in city government have created a hostile work environment.
LaChapelle also intends to withdraw a posting of a new chief of staff position until the council completes a review of city positions and departments with a public vetting, the mayor announced at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
In a sharply worded letter to the council, Tautznik said LaChapelle is not following the rules spelled out in the city’s charter and that the council is not raising a red flag about the issue.
“The actions taken and not taken by those who represent us are affecting the operations of our government in profound ways and creating a hostile work environment at City Hall,” Tautznik said.
He continued, “The City Council’s failure to foster and promote public dialogue about these questionable actions is instilling a lack of trust in our government processes and causing undue damage to the morale and effectiveness of the men and women who work in the community we love and support.”
LaChapelle responded in remarks to the council.
“This is a serious statement that cannot and will not be taken lightly,” the mayor said. “I have instructed our personnel director, under protocols, to begin an independent investigation around this statement … The process will also include an appointment of an independent investigator.”
LaChapelle added that the matters relate to personnel issues and are exempt from public disclosure.
“The issue will be given its due diligence and investigated to the fullest extent,” she said.
Meantime, the move to withdraw the chief of staff posting comes after both the mayor and council sought advice from city solicitor John Fitz-Gibbon, who said that position needs to be created through administrative code or by an ordinance, both of which involve the council and a public hearing.
A joint statement signed Wednesday by the mayor, City Council President Joseph McCoy, Finance Director Melissa Zawadzki and Personnel Director Monica Kane said the opinion brought to light issues in the city’s charter that deserve detailed and comprehensive review.
Fitz-Gibbon also found that the charter has not been followed in the past for other positions.
“Several opportunities to clarify employment practices and classifications across our municipal government have been identified,” LaChapelle said, reading a statement to the council. “The legal advisory well outlines areas that give both the Mayor’s Office and City Council avenues to update and clarify past practices that reflect the always intended equity and fairness in the city’s employment practices.”
The statement requests the council review the creation of positions within city departments and government, as well as current assignments within city departments. The council is also requested to review pay plan positions and identify positions best structured under individual contract as well as add unclassified positions to the pay plan in a method described under the charter.
LaChapelle said she will appoint temporary support for her office until the council completes its review.
Still in her first three months as mayor, LaChapelle said that past practices have been her “guide” when making changes to city departments.
She added that the opinion from Fitz-Gibbon opens a door to take a fresh look at city employment as it relates to the charter.
“We’re not going to make the same mistake twice on relying on past actions to interpret our charter,” LaChapelle said.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.