39°
FAIRFIELD, Conn. First Selectman Michael Tetreau spoke out on Fairfield Chief Fiscal Officer Paul Hillers resignation Thursday. In a letter released to the press, Tetreau assured residents that Hiller was not accused of any wrongdoing and explained his reasoning for asking Hiller to resign.
"Towns and cities across the country are facing issues that require a shift in direction in how to compensate employees, contain costs, and manage funds and finances in order to continue to flourish. Fairfield is no exception, Tetreaus letter reads in part. As First Selectman, trying to plan for the future of our community and its continued excellence, I determined it was in the best interest of the Town to evaluate our approach and consider a change.
Hillers resignation was announced Aug. 1, after he had been on administrative leave for more than a week. After the resignation is official on Sept. 15, Hiller will stay in the Finance Department as a manager of financial services through June 2013. Chief of Staff Robert Mayer will take over Hillers duties until a full-time replacement is hired.
Tetreau had previously declined to answer questions about Hiller's resignation, and Republican leaders had criticized the lack of transparency in the matter.
Paul Hiller has served our town well. He served honorably on the Board of Finance for 18 years and as CFO for the past 12 years, Republican Town Committee Chair James Millington wrote in an open letter earlier this month. To have his 'retirement' handled by the First Selectman in this manner is shameful and entirely unacceptable.
In the statement released Thursday, Tetreau said Hiller went on administrative leave when he was considering his options. He added that Hiller was not escorted out of the building, as had been reported previously.
There was no wrongdoing, or suggestion of such, Tetreau wrote. I believed then, and do now, that following legal counsels advice was the prudent thing to do under the circumstances.
Tetreau added that he consulted with outside labor attorneys before the decision, and was told it was within his power as First Selectman to offer Hiller the severance package he received and reach an agreement without input from other elected officials.
In hindsight, had I been able to know the questions that have been raised since I made this decision and acted on it, I might have shared the information in this message at an earlier time, Tetreau said. I remain committed to transparency and collegiality in government, and will take the lessons learned here to do better in that regard.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.
