Montclair Town Manager Put On Leave Amid Accusations: Watch Video

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Town Council voted to place its township manager on temporary paid administrative leave during a fiery meeting on Tuesday night.

Township Manager Timothy Stafford is facing accusations that he is responsible for creating a toxic workplace at the top level of the town’s government, including a pattern of “bullying, verbal abuse and threatening behavior.”

Montclair’s chief financial officer Padmaja Rao is among those leveling accusations at Stafford. She has since filed a gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against him. Rao’s allegations were supported in an August internal report from Montclair's affirmative action officer, which concluded that Stafford had created a “hostile work environment” for the CFO, Montclair Local reported.

During their Tuesday meeting, the town council voted 5-1 to place Stafford on temporary paid administrative leave. Peter Yacobellis recused himself from the vote. Robert Russo was the only council member to vote no, later explaining that he wanted to have Stafford terminated, Baristanet reported.

Deputy Township Manager Brian Scantlebury will take over as acting town manager.

Several frustrated residents and community members demanded further action during public comment, vocally booing and heckling the council and Mayor Sean Spiller throughout the meeting.

Speakers included Ann Lippel, a longtime advocate for senior rights and wellness in the township. Read More: Mass Resignations Take Place On Montclair Senior Citizen Committee

“As a member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, I had the misfortune of knowing that our town manager’s toxic behavior was a major factor in causing Katie York, the [former] director of senior services, to leave. Katie’s competence and leadership skills were unrivaled in her field, and our seniors have been diminished without her.”

Watch the video of the Oct. 25 meeting below. Timestamps include:

• 2:46 Opening of Meeting
• 4:03 Approval of Minutes (September 28, October 11, & October 25 Meetings)
• 4:27 Discussion : Resolution R-22-219 Authorizing Temporary Paid Administrative Leave for Township Manager Timothy Stafford Pending Allegations Investigation
• 56:50 Public Comment
• 1:54:15 Ordinance O-22-23: Ordinance to amend Section 347 Zoning of the Code of the Township of Montclair, New Jersey (maximum impervious coverage ratios)
• 1:55:12 Ordinance O-22-24: Ordinance adopting an amendment to the Montclair Center Gateway Phase 1 Redevelopment Plan
• 1:56:32 Ordinance O-22-27: Ordinance to amend Montclair Code Chapter 347 (Zoning) to permit accessory dwelling units as an accessory use for one, two, and three-family dwellings in the R-O, R-O(A), R-1 and R-2 Zones
• 2:00:36 Ordinance O-22-28: Ordinance amending Montclair code Chapter 249, Property, Abandoned and Vacant
• 2:05:19 Ordinance O-22-29: Ordinance to approve the Redevelopment Plan for Lackawanna Plaza in the Township of Montclair
• 2:05:35 Resolution Reviewing Township of Montclair's Organizational Structure
• 2:10:29 In Memoriam - John Joyce
• 2:12:33 In Memoriam - Judith Rich
• 2:15:27 Executive Session
• 4:54:55 Meeting Resumes
• 4:55:50 Amended Resolution R-22-219 Authorizing Temporary Paid Administrative Leave for Township Manager Timothy Stafford Pending Allegations Investigation
• 4:57:06 Resolution R-22-219 Authorizing Temporary Paid Administrative Leave for Township Manager Timothy Stafford Pending Allegations Investigation.
• 5:01:51 Resolution Authorizing the review of the Township of Montclair's Organizational Structure
• 5:16:05 Adjournment

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