Town Council To Discuss Fire Chief’s Job Performance Monday

by | Sep 24, 2017

It’s deja vu all over again, with an executive session agenda item that reads exactly like the one that ended with former Town Manager Tom Coyle “separating” from the town June 19. This time, the employee in question is Fire Chief Russell McGillivray.

The agenda reads, Closed pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (1), discussions concerning the job performance, character, or physical or mental health of a person in the employ of the Town of East Greenwich, provided that such person affected shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that they may require that the discussion be held at an open meeting. Find the full agenda here.

Corrigan testified Friday, during the trial of the EG firefighters union versus the Town of East Greenwich, that she had lost confidence in McGillivray and that his report on the fiscal impact of the 2017-19 firefighters contract was incorrect, saying the pay for six lateral firefighter hired in 2016 far exceeded what McGillivray represented.

Later Friday, McGillivray said he had not been aware of Corrigan’s lost confidence.

He has since been notified that his job performance would be discussed Monday, according to a source in the fire department.

At the Sept. 11 Town Council meeting, attorney Tim Cavazza was seen going into the executive session at Swift Community Center. Cavazza is the lawyer hired by both North Kingstown and Providence in recent years in legal battles with firefighter unions in those municipalities. His presence suggests the Town Council may be considering legal action against the firefighters.

Also on the agenda Monday is a review of Town Council guidelines. Among the proposed changes regards who can put things on the Town Council agenda. Currently, the Town Council president reviews the agenda (which is put together by the town manager and the town clerk), and any two council members may add items to the agenda. The proposed change reads: “Any two members of Council may request items be added to the agenda.”

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Swift Community Center.

– Elizabeth F. McNamara

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Renu Englehart
Renu Englehart
September 24, 2017 10:37 pm

How much is Mr. Cavazza costing us? And look – he’s a partner in Mr. Flanders law firm.

Tracie Truesdell
Tracie Truesdell
September 25, 2017 9:07 am
Reply to  Renu Englehart

This is nuts.

BOB INGERSON
BOB INGERSON
September 25, 2017 7:00 am

gee I would guess Corrigan wants that job also

Tracie Truesdell
Tracie Truesdell
September 25, 2017 9:08 am

Has anyone else had enough of this yet?? I want a new Town Manager. NOW.

U. Jefferson
U. Jefferson
September 25, 2017 9:26 am

Get ready for yet another lawsuit that is going to cost the taxpayers of East Greenwich a ton of money and we are going to lose. If it isn’t blatantly obvious, Corrigan is a cancer that has been unleashed on our town by her crony Queen Cienki and she won’t stop until she is terminated, which as history has shown, will also result in a lawsuit the town will have to pay to defend and potentially lose. She already got her scolded Friday by the judge regarding the Perry lawsuit which will undoubtedly result in a judgment against the town. The citizens of East Greenwich need to wake up. This ridiculous abuse of power won’t stop until we get Cienki and Sean Todd out of office. Let’s just hope they haven’t completely destroyed the reputation of the town and bankrupt us by then.

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