June 19, 2017 – The Town Council voted 3-1 in executive session this morning to accept Tom Coyle’s resignation at town manager, then voted 3-1 again to appoint Gayle Corrigan acting town manager. In favor were Council President Sue Cienki, Vice President Sean Todd and Councilman Andy Deutsch; Councilman Mark Schwager voted against the motions; Councilman Nino Granatiero was absent.
Corrigan is a principal owner of Providence Analytics, the company hired by the town to do an analysis of both the school and town budgets this spring.
“I’m expecting her to start the implementation process of what the recommendations were for consolidation while we look for a new town manager,” Cienki said after the meeting, referring to Providence Analytics’ recommendation to consolidate school and town finance, IT, personnel and purchasing.
Corrigan is the district manager for Central Coventry Fire District – a contract position she has held since March 2016.
“She will be busy,” Cienki said of Corrigan, who will have to balance the two positions. Cienki said it would only be for “a short period of time. We expect to move along quickly.”
Councilman Schwager said the details of Corrigan’s employment with the town, including salary and the amount of time Corrigan would be working, were not discussed.
“We voted for an acting town manager but exactly what the provisions of that position are we did not discuss,” he said after the meeting.
According to Town Solicitor Dave D’Agostino, Coyle stepped down from his position effective at midnight. Coyle was not at Town Hall Monday morning. His office had been cleared of personal effects last week.
D’Agnostino said under the agreement Coyle would receive six months severance in addition to any accrued sick and vacation days.
Coyle had worked for the Town of East Greenwich for 30 years, starting as a patrolman in the police department and rising to police chief in 2010. He was named acting town manager in 2013, after longtime Town Manager Bill Sequino resigned. The Town Council – then headed by Michael Isaacs, who was term-limited out last November – hired Coyle as town manager after a search.
Coyle, of Coventry, was known for his politeness and his strong work ethic.
“I think the guy did his job. He did his job well,” said Charlie Phillips, EG native and 25-year town employee. “He was here early every day.”
“I felt that he was very dedicated to the town,” said Schwager. ”i really enjoyed working with him and I’m sad to see him go in this manner.”
The Town Council meets next on Monday, June 26, at 7 p.m.
– Elizabeth McNamara
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