ROCKLAND, Maine — City Manager James Chaousis said he is conducting an investigation into multiple city employees and has gone through their computers as part of that probe.
Chaousis declined to identify or specify what specifically he was looking into, citing the confidentiality of personnel matters. He said no final written disciplinary actions have been taken. Final written disciplinary actions are public documents.
The announcement came Monday, two days after the council held a rare, special Saturday afternoon meeting. The nearly three-hour closed-door session was held to discuss multiple personnel matters, according to Councilor Larry Pritchett.
The closed-door meeting also came a week after the city manager issued a memo concerning the operation of the legal department. That memo came under fire last week from Councilor William Jillson, who said the council does not need to go through the manager to consult with the attorney.
Chaousis said Monday that he was not disputing the council’s right to consult with the attorney.
“I certainly concede that the City Council can use their attorney any way they want, much like their city manager,” Chaousis said.
In his Dec. 23 memo, however, he said, “no further actions, requests, projects, or inquiries will be processed by the Legal Department without authorization from the City Manager.” He also directed the city attorney to direct city councilors and department heads to obtain authority from the city manager when he is contacted.
The manager also directed City Attorney Kevin Beal to make all digital, written and other correspondence, notes and records available for inspection by the city manager.
The manager stated in an email that he issued his order because the administration of the city has been tumultuous since his appointment as city manager 10 months ago.
“Often, there is a disconnect between communications coming from the City Council, City Manager, and the City Attorney. This also appears to be a repeated pattern of behavior from the Legal Department in which the City Council has offered guidance. It does not appear that this guidance has had an effect. It is clear that the City has deviated from the path written in the Rockland Charter and Code and I intend to bring that direction back through this order, new protocols, and reporting systems,” Chaousis said.
Beal had no comment when contacted Monday.
Beal assisted Jillson last month when the councilor sought to develop a proposed six-month moratorium on energy plants, a move made in response to a proposed natural gas-fired power plant. That moratorium gained preliminary approval last month and a final vote is scheduled for Jan. 11.
Mayor Louise MacLellan-Ruf said no action was taken as part of the Saturday meeting. Councilors were scheduled to hold another closed-door meeting Monday night to discuss a personnel matter.