Degen Intends to Push BoS For “No Confidence” Vote On Haddad

A day after the Groton Board of Selectmen received paper copies of an investigator’s report into Town Manager Mark Haddad’s electronic relationship with a resident last year, Groton Selectman Josh Degen has issued a press release that announces his intention to call for a “No Confidence” vote by the Board of Selectmen on Haddad. If the vote takes place, and if four members of the five-member board agree, Haddad could be dismissed under an “escape hatch” clause in the town charter.

The Board of Selectmen were reported to be setting a day and time for a meeting next week in which they would enter executive session to discuss the report. Because the topic is personnel-related, at least 48-hour notice and a copy of the report must be given to Haddad. The Board of Selectmen’s next official meeting is scheduled for February 27th, because of the President’s Day holiday falling on this coming Monday. It was not clear if Degen’s proposed vote would be part of that review meeting or if it would be treated as a separate item, possibly in a different meeting.

Degen’s press release is a “personal, individual, statement” and does not come from the board as an official body, he said.

In the release, he wrote that:

The Groton Town Charter has a provision for removal of the Town Manager. It requires a 4/5th affirmative vote to remove the individual from his or her position… Therefore, pursuant to section 4-3 of the Charter of the Town of Groton, I shall call for a vote of confidence in the Town Manager by my fellow board members. During this vote I specifically call attention to the moral standards provision contained within section 1-8 of our Charter.

That section of the town charter, “Section 1-8: Ethical Standards,” reads: “Elected and appointed officers, employees and volunteers of the town are expected to demonstrate, by their example, with their general conduct and in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, the highest ethical standards to the end that the public may justifiably have trust and confidence in the integrity of its government.”

Degen’s statement cites two separate instances that he said violate that clause and warrant the “no confidence” vote.

His statement continues:

In the fall of 2011 a constituent e-mailed me with concerns about Mr. Haddad’s conduct. The e-mails and conversation with this person ultimately showed that both the constituent and Mr. Haddad had conducted a consensual and continual exchange via texting, e-mail and phone over a six-month period. Mr. Haddad has readily admitted to this fact.

Some of the material reviewed by me showed that Mr.Haddad used extremely inappropriate language and behavior with this individual. It is my feeling that a recently married man should not engage in such activities thus potentially violating his marriage vows. But that is, at the heart of it, a personal matter.

It becomes a matter of public concern when a public official’s “private” actions and ethical judgments are made public and have a significant impact both on the person’s reputation and his ability to perform his public job functions. And in this case, that has happened.

The second issue dates back to Haddad’s contract negotiations three years ago, Degen said.

In his statement, he wrote:

When our BoS selected Mr. Haddad, I was Chairman. During final contract negotiations prior to the signing of his contract, Mr. Haddad promised Selectman Fran Dillon and myself that anything that may have allegedly occurred in his past was just that, alleged, and untrue. He further promised the two of us that he would never do anything to jeopardize the BoS, the people of Groton, or his job.

Mark’s promise has been broken through his actions. While this situation may not place the town in a legal dilemma, I can no longer trust Mr. Haddad as I believe he has both lied to us and has compromised his ability to lead; his behavior taints any decisions that affect the town’s future. We all hold morality to different standards in each of our own mind’s eye. I know that I have been far from perfect, but as a public leader, I do hold myself to a high moral standard. The BoS has now concluded an investigation on the actions of our current Town Manager.

I cannot in good conscience continue to give my vote of confidence to Mark Haddad as our Town Manager.
….

It is my feeling that Mr. Haddad’s personal actions have severely and irretrievably affected his ability to function as Groton’s Town Manager. I sincerely hope that enough members of the Board of Selectmen agree with me that we can move on from this chapter and restore full confidence in both the elected and appointed elements of the town administration.

Selectman Fran Dillon could not be reached to confirm Degen’s narrative of Haddad’s promise during contract negotiations.

Selectman Stuart Schulman said that he didn’t think Haddad’s actions had risen to the level required for him to support a “No Confidence” vote; that while they were questionable, they still seemed not to be illegal. Selectman Peter Cunningham is refraining from commenting until the BoS meets with Haddad, the procedure the BoS has already agreed upon. Chairwoman Anna Eliot could not be reached for comment.

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4. Selectmen Respond to Allegations of Haddad “Inappropriate Behavior”
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