Griswold, Conn. —
Citing “recent events,” Director of Finance Barbara Richardson-Crouch has resigned — effective July 15.
“I think because of the atmosphere, it’s better if I leave,” Richardson-Crouch said Tuesday. Her letter of resignation, which is dated March 2, says, “I have been left with no other choice but to resign.”
Richardson-Crouch has been hired as finance director for the town of Lebanon. According to minutes of the Lebanon Board of Selectmen’s March 1 meeting, Richardson-Crouch will begin as full-time director of finance April 4 with a salary of $80,000. Her salary in Griswold, where she was hired in September 2009, is $70,000.
In the absence of a full-time finance director, James Day, a financial consultant, has been running Lebanon’s finance department for 14 months.
Richardson-Crouch said she intends to stay on in Griswold through budget season.
There are indications that the “recent events” cited by Richardson-Crouch in her resignation letter are her acceptance of the job in Lebanon.
Personal dispute
Recently, Richardson-Crouch has been embroiled in a dispute with town finance department bookkeeper Debra Dossett Robinson.
Leona Sharkey, Jewett City borough tax collector, whose office is adjacent to the town’s finance office, confirmed last month that Dossett Robinson had been suspended with pay after a confrontation with Richardson-Crouch.
In a written complaint dated Feb. 8 and addressed to the Board of Selectmen, Richardson-Crouch wrote, “yesterday, Debra Robinson stated that if she did not go outside for a while, she would spit in my face.”
The complaint continues, “I realize that this may not constitute a criminal threat. This latest outburst coupled with her slamming doors and pushing chairs around, has risen to the level of me notifying all of you.”
Selectmen have discussed the situation in several recent executive sessions, according to Richardson-Crouch.
First Selectman Philip Anthony declined to comment on Richardson-Crouch’s resignation letter or about her serving two towns at the same time.
The town’s labor attorney, David Ryan, did not return phone calls seeking comment for this story.
“She has had major issues with other people who work in the building,” Sharkey said of Richardson-Crouch.
Lebanon First Selectman Joyce Okonuk could not be reached for comment on Richardson-Crouch’s contract with the town.
“I think because of the atmosphere, it’s better if I leave,” Richardson-Crouch said Tuesday. Her letter of resignation, which is dated March 2, says, “I have been left with no other choice but to resign.”
Richardson-Crouch has been hired as finance director for the town of Lebanon. According to minutes of the Lebanon Board of Selectmen’s March 1 meeting, Richardson-Crouch will begin as full-time director of finance April 4 with a salary of $80,000. Her salary in Griswold, where she was hired in September 2009, is $70,000.
In the absence of a full-time finance director, James Day, a financial consultant, has been running Lebanon’s finance department for 14 months.
Richardson-Crouch said she intends to stay on in Griswold through budget season.
There are indications that the “recent events” cited by Richardson-Crouch in her resignation letter are her acceptance of the job in Lebanon.
Personal dispute
Recently, Richardson-Crouch has been embroiled in a dispute with town finance department bookkeeper Debra Dossett Robinson.
Leona Sharkey, Jewett City borough tax collector, whose office is adjacent to the town’s finance office, confirmed last month that Dossett Robinson had been suspended with pay after a confrontation with Richardson-Crouch.
In a written complaint dated Feb. 8 and addressed to the Board of Selectmen, Richardson-Crouch wrote, “yesterday, Debra Robinson stated that if she did not go outside for a while, she would spit in my face.”
The complaint continues, “I realize that this may not constitute a criminal threat. This latest outburst coupled with her slamming doors and pushing chairs around, has risen to the level of me notifying all of you.”
Selectmen have discussed the situation in several recent executive sessions, according to Richardson-Crouch.
First Selectman Philip Anthony declined to comment on Richardson-Crouch’s resignation letter or about her serving two towns at the same time.
The town’s labor attorney, David Ryan, did not return phone calls seeking comment for this story.
“She has had major issues with other people who work in the building,” Sharkey said of Richardson-Crouch.
Lebanon First Selectman Joyce Okonuk could not be reached for comment on Richardson-Crouch’s contract with the town.
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