NECCOG board accepts investigation report into personnel and animal complaints; one member votes no

The board of the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG) voted Feb. 7, 2019, to accept an investigation report dated Feb. 5, 2019, prepared by Attorney Kristi Kelly addressing four written complaints about personnel matters, workplace environment and alleged mistreatment of animals.

Maureen Nicholson, Member at Large of NECCOG’s Executive Committee, moved that the board accept the report and its recommendations. "I hereby move that the Board of NECCOG accept the report of investigation dated February 5, 2019 prepared by Attorney Kristi Kelly, including the findings and recommendations contained therein," Nicholson said during the motion.

The motion recited that the board, through its chair, received four written complaints in October and November 2018 alleging personnel and workplace-environment concerns and possible mistreatment of animals; Nicholson and Attorney Kristi Kelly conducted an investigation over roughly four months. The minutes note that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Control has agreed to investigate the animal-related complaints and that that investigation remains open and ongoing.

The board first moved into an executive session to discuss pending claims under General Statutes 1-200(6)(B). The motion to enter executive session specified that Executive Director John Filchak, Putnam Town Administrator Mary Calorio, an acting Killingly town manager (Mr. Hopkins) and Attorney Kristi Kelly would join the session. Chair Rick Ives said impacted NECCOG staff had been notified and informed of their rights under the Freedom of Information Act; the motion to enter executive session passed unanimously.

After returning to public session, the board considered and voted on Nicholson’s motion to accept the investigation report. The motion passed, with one negative vote recorded from Mr. Seney (Putnam); no other vote tallies or abstentions are specified in the public minutes. The minutes do not record the substance of dissension by Mr. Seney beyond his negative vote.

The meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m. after a unanimous motion to end the session.

The minutes identify the following participants and towns as present during the meeting: Mr. Syme (Scotland); Mr. Lippke (Canterbury); Ms. DuBois (Eastford); Mr. Grey (Sterling); Mr. Cahill (Hampton); Mr. Seney (Putnam); Mr. Alberts (Woodstock); Mr. Eaton (Union); Mr. Griffiths (Killingly); Mr. Beausoleil (Thompson); Ms. Nicholson (Pomfret); and Chair Rick Ives (Brooklyn).