SOUTHWICK – The town currently has four pending complaints against it filed by current and former employees.
Fire Department employee Carrie Bradbury has a suit against the town fire department, administrative town hall assistant Robin Solek has a suit against the town, fire department administrative assistant Tracy Cesan has a suit against the town and Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart, and former Department of Public Works director Jeffrey Neece has a suit againt the town.
In the past five years there were three other complaints made by employees that have been closed, including a suit against the police department by former police officer Roger Cataldo, a suit against the town by Nancy Cortesi, and a suit against the police department by Gisele Everette.
Town Counsel Benjamin Coyle provided the above information following a public information request made by The Westfield News in late October after Board of Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox noted Cesan had a complaint against the town during a board meeting.
The request asked for a list of lawsuits or complaints against the town, town employees and public officials made by employees or public officials in the past five years.
Coyle said he consulted all town attorneys, including counsel to the town’s insurer, to gather the information.
Stinehart said he is unable to discuss the pending suits.
“We do not generally comment on complaints against the town,” he said.
At least some of the complaints were filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, an entity that is an alternative to the court system that renders a finding on a complaint.
