The man hired and then abruptly fired from a job leading economic development activity in Ansonia will appeal his dismissal at a hearing next month.
Peter Kelly will plead his case to an arbitrator Jan. 19, the city’s attorney, John Marini told Aldermen at their regular monthly Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Kelly is serving in a similar, though much better paying, role in Illinois.
Background
Kelly was hired in September 2013 by then-Mayor James Della Volpe to fill a position that had been vacant for nearly two years after the death of Claude Perry, the last person to hold the post.
Kelly signed a two-year contract with the city at an annual salary of $57,980.
But a little more than six months into his tenure — and three months after Della Volpe was defeated in a re-election bid — new Mayor David Cassetti fired Kelly.
Cassetti alleged, in a letter obtained by the Valley Indy through a Freedom of Information request, that Kelly couldn’t do his job.
Kelly hired a lawyer, John Androski, who said Cassetti didn’t follow the rules in firing his client.
Click here for more information from a previous story.
Greener Pastures?
The two sides will plead their case to an arbitrator Jan. 19 if they don’t settle before then.
Marini briefed Aldermen on the developments behind closed doors during Tuesday’s meeting, which is allowed under Freedom of Information law.
After the meeting, Marini said Kelly wants the rest of his contract paid out — about $87,000.
“It’s his position that the city didn’t honor the contract,” Marini said. “It’s the city’s position he was terminated for cause under the contract.”
Kelly is now the Economic Development Coordinator for the village of Lisle, Illinois, a Chicago suburb of about 21,000 people.
He makes $73,000 a year, a salary 25.9 percent higher than the $57,980 salary he held in Ansonia.
The salary information comes from Karen Arnold, a “Freedom of Information Officer” employed full-time by the Village of Lisle to help the public access information about government.
Marini said Kelly’s newer, better paying job will mitigate the damages he will argue he suffered when he went without a job for several months.
Kelly has referred questions about his case to his lawyer, at whose office the Valley Indy left a message Tuesday.
Kelly’s former job is now held by Sheila O’Malley, who is also the city’s grant writer.
