Politics & Government
Former Ross Township Manager Claims Firing Violated PA Open Meeting Law
Wayne Jones and Commissioner Gerald O'Brien said Aug. 6 Vote should have been taken during a public meeting.
said today the board of commissioners violated the state's open meetings laws when it voted to oust him on Aug. 6 while meeting in executive session, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported.
“They have to fire me in a public meeting. They did not do that Monday (Aug. 6),” Jones told the Trib.
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Asked why the board did not vote in public session on the issue of Jones’ employment on Aug. 6,
“Our solicitor said we can wait for his decision, then vote on whether to terminate or accept his resignation.” Eyster said.
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Jones disagreed. He said that after the meeting, board President Grant Montgomery asked him to turn in the keys to his township vehicle. Furthermore, he will be paid only through Aug. 6, the Tribune Review reported.
Montgomery disputes that allegation, saying Jones offered to turn in his keys and clean out his office, according to the Trib.
There has been no comment from Ross solicitor Bonnie Brimmeier.
Thein the decision to let Jones go. Commissioners O'Brien, Peter Ferraro, and John Sponcer supported Jones, who also served as the township's finance director.
The 5 remaining commissioners, including Eyster, voted to terminate Jones. Commissioner David Mikec was absent for both votes.
“There was a lack of accountability. Things were slipping through the cracks,” said Eyster. “Morale has declined among township employees because of the arbitrary and capricious application of rules. I felt compelled to do something. It’s not something I like to do, but sometimes it comes to that.”
Commissioner Gerald O'Brien questioned the wisdom of letting him go.
"Morale in my opinion was at an all-time high with Jones in charge," he said. "For instance, for the first time in years, there was harmony among the commissioners, the township manager and the police union. The problem now is that certain commissioners want to micromanage everything."
No timetable was given for hiring a new township manager, or if a second person, a finance director, would also be hired.
For the next few months, the day-to-day operations of will be in the hands of Deborah J. Grass, a consultant with Delta Development Group, Inc. of Wexford.
