EASTHAMPTON — An investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment at City Hall has found no evidence to support the claims, according to an outside review by a private investigator.
The investigation was conducted by lawyer Terri Pastori of Pastori Krans in Concord, New Hampshire, a firm hired by the city through its insurer. The review was sparked by a March 27 open letter to the City Council from former mayor Michael Tautznik criticizing the current mayor, Nicole LaChapelle, for making staff changes that Tautznik said did not adhere to the city charter.
On Thursday, LaChapelle said Tautznik’s allegations needed to be followed up with a professional course of action due to the specific wording included in the allegations, which could trigger a potential harassment claim.
“It’s unfortunate that the allegations needed to be looked at,” LaChapelle said. “But you can’t decide what needs to be looked at and what doesn’t.”
LaChapelle said the report found no evidence of a hostile work environment or of an individual complaint.
In his March 27 letter Tautznik wrote: “The actions taken and not taken by those of you who represent us are affecting the operations of our government in profound ways and creating a hostile work environment at City Hall.”
A letter from Pastori attached to the report explained that the investigation found that Tautznik’s allegations of a “hostile work environment” were based on his interpretation of conversations with current employees, but that Personnel Director Monica Kane said there had been no complaints filed, either formal or informal, of a hostile work environment.
After reading a copy of the report on Thursday, Tautznik said the investigation focused on whether there had been any violations of state or federal discriminatory law, but did not address his specific concerns regarding the Easthampton city charter. He also said he would have preferred that the investigator conduct interviews with employees.
Pastori wrote that conducting interviews with all City Hall employees was not warranted in order “to confirm that no one experienced a hostile work environment based on a protected class.”
Tautznik said he is not dissatisfied with the investigation that was conducted, but he said he is hopeful that the council will consider the information in his letter and refer it to an appropriate subcommittee to discuss issues pertaining to the charter.
“I’ve done all the pushing I’m going to do. I’ve raised the issue with the appropriate government authority,” Tautznik said. “I’m hopeful that the City Council will review my correspondence and take the various issues and the sections of the charter cited and refer that to the appropriate subcommittee.”
City solicitor John Fitz-Gibbon gave his opinion in March that LaChapelle had not followed the city charter in regards to a specific staff position, but also said that the charter had not been followed in the past for other positions.
At the City Council meeting Wednesday night, Councilor Daniel Rist asked LaChapelle if an investigation would have been launched if the allegations had come from a private citizen and not a former mayor, to which LaChapelle said yes.
Rist also asked about the cost of the investigation. LaChapelle said the private lawyer charged an hourly rate of $350 and there may be other costs for additional lawyers who assisted with the investigation. On Thursday, LaChapelle said the final invoice would likely not be ready until late May. She said the city is waiting to see whether the bill will be footed by the insurance risk carrier or if it will need to be paid by the city.
At-Large Councilor Owen Zaret asked if there were other ways to handle investigations into allegations such as Tautznik’s that would not cost the city. LaChapelle said all alternatives were explored, but that a private investigation was necessary because of the wording of the allegations.
“Any complaint or concern … around this language should be investigated to the full extent that it can be, to make sure there’s not something embedded or we have an organizational situation,” LaChapelle told the council.
The investigation began on April 2 and was completed Wednesday. LaChapelle distributed copies of the report and two versions of letters explaining its findings to the City Council before its Wednesday meeting.
M.J. Tidwell can be reached at mjtidwell@gazettenet.com.