WILLIAMSTOWN, Vt. (AP) - The select board in Williamstown, Vermont, has rescinded its vote to take steps to terminate the town manager who was accused of creating a hostile work environment.
The vote came Monday night after one board member resigned and another acknowledged that she had considered stepping down amid hostile backlash over last week’s 3-2 split decision, the Times Argus reported.
The board voted unanimously to rescind last week’s finding that there was “just cause” to terminate Jackie Higgins, the veteran town manager, for “creating a hostile work environment (and) violating the town’s harassment policy.”
Higgins said by email on Wednesday that she had no comment.
Before the vote, Chris Wade, a first-year selectman, resigned and left the meeting after reading a prepared statement. He had initially supported the motion that was rescinded on Monday.
“I have learned just how hateful the community of Williamstown has become,” he said, mentioning a Facebook page that he said had turned into a forum for “rumors lies and misinformation” following last week’s vote.
Selectboard member Jessica Worn complained that she was the target of “adult bullying” that led her to consider resigning. The chairman and others urged Wade not to resign, but he declined.
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