Public Hearing Nears For Suspended Montclair Town Manager

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A public hearing will take place later this week for Montclair’s suspended township manager, Tim Stafford.

The mayor and council will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 28 in the council chambers at the municipal building, 205 Claremont Avenue (see agenda below).

“The purpose of the special meeting is to conduct a public hearing pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:69A-93 term of municipal manager; removal; suspension,” a municipal notice states. “Other official action may be taken and portions of the meeting may be held in executive session.”

Stafford was placed on temporary paid administrative leave in October amid accusations that he created an abusive work environment that has cost the township some key female employees over the years. Read More: Montclair Town Manager Put On Leave Amid Accusations

Montclair’s chief financial officer Padmaja Rao has filed a gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against Stafford, alleging 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.”

Stafford has also been named in another lawsuit from Juliet Lee, Montclair’s former deputy town clerk, who says that she retired early from her job due to verbal abuse, humiliation and harassment. Lee – who alleges in the suit that Stafford singled out women for abuse – is seeking punitive and compensatory damages and legal fees.

Other Montclair community members have since claimed that Stafford’s allegedly abusive management style has negatively impacted the township. Read More: More Women Level Accusations Against Montclair Town Manager

The Montclair Town Council took its first steps towards possibly cutting ties with Stafford in February. Stafford has the right to a public hearing, after which the council can vote on a final resolution of removal. Read More: Montclair May Cut Ties With Tim Stafford; Council Vote Sets Stage

Stafford, through his attorneys, put forth a written request for a public hearing on April 6. He is reportedly asking for a $1.2 million settlement from the town – or a $500,000 payment and reinstatement to his job – as he faces accusations of creating an abusive workplace. Read More: Suspended Montclair Town Manager Floats $1.2M Settlement, Report Says

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