Excerpts From Judge McGuirl’s Ruling

by | Nov 9, 2017

On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Susan McGuirl issued a 74-page ruling in the case of the Town of East Greenwich versus James Perry and the EG firefighters union. You can find the entire ruling here: EGFA v. Gayle Corrigan, KC17-0898

Here are highlights:

On the Town argument that James Perry did not have standing to bring suit against the Town because he was not an aggrieved party:

It is difficult to imagine a situation in which a person is more aggrieved than when his or her job is abolished.

On the issue of James Perry’s termination:

The Town’s argument that Corrigan could appoint herself Acting Fire Chief for “administrative purposes”—a position that does not exist— without any authority from the Town Council so that she could then recommend, to herself as Town Manager, that FF Perry be fired is not persuasive to this Court and somewhat absurd.

On whether or not Town Manager Corrigan fired James Perry for just cause:

Based on the minimal and incomplete information gathered during her “investigation,” without considering the seemingly logical simple efforts that could have been undertaken to obtain further information, Corrigan sent firefighter Perry a termination letter, via e-mail, at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2017. The termination letter was issued in such haste due to Chief McGillivray’s [expected] return on Monday, August 21, 2017, and firefighter Perry’s status as a probationary firefighter ending within days. Setting aside the lack of professionalism displayed by the Town with respect to the manner in which firefighter Perry was terminated, this Court finds without question based on the credible evidence before it that Corrigan did not engage in “careful and factual consideration,” as required by the CBA [collective bargaining agreement] before terminating firefighter Perry for “just cause.”

On the defense argument that James Perry could be fired because he lied on his resume:

It is clear from the evidence that firefighter Perry did not lie on his resume or misrepresent a material fact—he never used the word “certificate”; the reference to “(Coventry Fire Academy)” on firefighter Perry’s resume was very common and clear to any firefighter; a reasonable person with any knowledge of firefighter training practices knew or should have known that the language contained within firefighter Perry’s resume meant that he successfully completed Firefighter Level 1 and 2 training through the Coventry Fire Academy; firefighter Perry stated in his interview that he did not have physical certificates; the lack of physical certificates was common practice in Rhode Island firefighter training; there is no question firefighter Perry was both qualified and certified; and firefighter Perry’s certifications were verifiable. This Court finds the Town’s claims that firefighter Perry intentionally misrepresented himself and that he lied on his resume to be unwarranted toward a first responder who has dedicated himself to the fire service for twenty-eight years. There was no valid basis to terminate firefighter Perry.

On OMA violations from the June 19 Town Council meeting:

In light of the evidence presented, this Court concludes that the Town Council violated the OMA by failing to record any minutes from the June 19, 2017 meeting. Additionally, the Town Council voted to seal the Town Solicitor’s notes from the executive session, thus preventing the dissemination of any information to the public about the decision to appoint Gayle Corrigan to the Town’s most important position.

and

At the June 19, 2017 meeting, the Town Council appointed Corrigan as the Acting Town Manager. The agenda listed only one executive session item with no other information pertaining to the appointment of an Acting Town Manager. The Town Council exceeded the scope of the executive item listed on the agenda, which indicated that the Town Council would have “discussions concerning the job performance, character, or physical or mental health of a person in the employ of the Town of East Greenwich.”  Discussing and voting to appoint Corrigan as the Acting Town Manager violated of the Town Charter as it was not properly noticed on the agenda.

What Judge McGuirl called “The EGTC Pattern of Conduct Regarding the Open Meetings Act”:

The Town’s discussion of its intent to create a search process for the Town Manager position is misleading. The Town Council promoted the appearance of having the intention to utilize a search process for the position, all the while negotiating a contract with Corrigan to be executed at the July 10, 2017 meeting. With respect to the June 26, 2017 meeting, this Court does not find that it is in the spirit of the OMA to have discussions pertaining to “the Town’s relationship” with Corrigan in executive session. (Pls.’ Ex. 20.) It is clear that the Town Council is attempting to skirt around the requirements of the OMA by only entertaining discussions regarding Corrigan and the Town Manager position in executive session.

and

Taking into consideration that notice must reasonably describe the actions that the Town Council intends to take during a meeting, it is evident that the Town Council again did not provide proper notice of its intended actions with regard to the Town Manager position. See Tanner, 880 A.2d at 798. The agenda for the July 10, 2017 meeting did not reasonably describe its intentions to enter into a contract with Corrigan at that meeting.

Judge McGuirl’s “relief” or judicial remedy on Corrigan’s appointment:

Based on the compelling and credible evidence before it, this Court finds that the Town’s appointment of the Town Manager misled the public. The Plaintiffs argued that the Town’s efforts were designed to secure Corrigan’s appointment as Town Manager and minimize public opposition. Irrespective of the intent, the Town Council did not provide notice to the public, which limited the public’s opportunity to attend Town Council meetings and be heard. Instead of allowing the people of East Greenwich to be a part of the Town’s appointment process, the Town circumvented the requirements of the OMA to make decisions related to the Town’s most important appointed position that should have been subject to public scrutiny. In essence, the purpose of the OMA is to hold the Town Council accountable for the decisions it makes on the public’s behalf.

Accordingly, declaratory judgment shall enter for Plaintiffs against the EGTC for the Town Council’s violation of the OMA. Pursuant to its authority under § 42-46-8 of the OMA, this Court declares the Town Council’s vote on June 19, 2017 appointing Corrigan as Acting Town Manager null and void. This Court further declares the Town Council’s vote on July 24, 2017 to remove the term “Acting” from Corrigan’s designation and appointing her as Town Manager, as well as the Town Council’s vote to approve the terms of Corrigan’s contract in executive session, null and void.

Judge McGuirl’s “relief” on the James Perry termination:

Regardless of Corrigan’s authority to act as Town Manager, on the compelling and credible evidence presented, this Court finds that there was no valid basis to terminate FF Perry. The new Town Manager did not approve of the process under which FF Perry was hired. She certainly had a right to that viewpoint. The new Town Manager did not like it that FF Perry did not have a “certificate.” At the same time, she could not fire him for that reason since a certificate was not required for the job. As a result, the Town Manager accused him of lying and fraudulently insinuating whether he said he had a certificate. FF Perry did not lie. He never said he had a certificate—in fact, he stated that he did not.… The Town Manager was wrong. firefighter Perry did not lie. Firefighter Perry did not misrepresent anything. This Court finds it somewhat shocking that after hearing all of the credible testimony in the trial that contradicts her opinion, the Town Manager continues her inexplicable attitude and accusations regarding firefighter Perry…. He deserves better than he received from his employer, the Town of East Greenwich. Corrigan had no valid basis to terminate firefighter Perry. As a result of this Decision, firefighter Perry is ordered reinstated to his position with the EGFD as Corrigan’s actions on behalf of the Town are hereinafter null and void.

On Town Charter Violations:

Town Charter Violations Furthermore, for the reasons contained herein, this Court declares that the Town Council violated the Town Charter. Whereas there are no penalties included in the Town Charter, the Court is not going to assess any penalties. The Court will leave it to the citizens of the Town.

– Elizabeth F. McNamara

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Renu Englehart
Renu Englehart
November 9, 2017 8:53 am

I like a couple of the side notes personally myself :
“8 On October 17, 2017, after Defendants rested for the first time, the Town Solicitor presented to the Court “draft open session meeting minutes” from the June 19, 2017 meeting. The Town Solicitor indicated that the Town Council intended to vote to approve the “draft minutes” at the
next Town Council Meeting. ” – I think that means our obedient (and apparently not very good) town solicitor tried to slip one by the judge after he revealed that they didn’t allow the town clerk to do her job.

And this gem:
“9 In Plaintiffs’ Post-Trial Memorandum, Plaintiffs assert that the Town failed to approve and timely provide to the public Town Council meeting minutes from June 15, 19, 26, and July 10, 11 and 24, 2017. (Pls.’ Post-Tr. Mem. 23-24.) Specifically, Plaintiffs contend “[n]one of these minutes were provided ‘within thirty-five (35) days of the meeting or the next regularly
scheduled meeting, whichever is earlier.’” Id. (citing § 42-46-7(b)(1)). Plaintiffs stated that they repeatedly requested meeting minutes, and none were provided prior to trial. (Pls.’ Pre-Tr. Mem.
18.) Plaintiffs also cite to the Town Clerk’s testimony revealing that meeting minutes are not published to the public online until they are approved by the Town Council. (Pls.’ Post Tr. Mem.
24 n.20.)” In my layperson’s eye that looks like an attempt to hide their deceitful practices.

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