JIM MULVENNA
WESTFIELD – The superintendent of the city’s Department of Public Works, James Mulvenna, has been placed on administrative leave after a reported visit by Karin Decker of the city’s personnel department to the DPW garage on Friday.
A senior city police officer confirmed this morning that Mulvenna has been placed on administrative leave but was unable to explain further. Police records detail that officers were “at this location (City Hall) assisting the personal department with a personal matter” on Friday at 11:50 a.m.
Unconfirmed reports claim that Decker was at the DPW building on Friday and advised workers that Mulvenna was on leave and told them who was in charge of the department in Mulvenna’s absence.
Decker confirmed late Monday morning that Mulvenna has been placed on paid administrative leave but said she was not at liberty to discuss the reasons for that decision. She said that Casey Berube is the interim DPW superintendent in Mulvenna’s absence.
“It’s a personal matter and we’re not at liberty to discuss those,” said Mayor Daniel M. Knapik this morning.
