GRAND CHUTE, Wis–The Grand Chute Town Board names an interim administrator. Jeff O’Dell will work at the town hall three days a week while a consulting firm works the with the Town Board to find a permanent replacement for the fired Jim March.
Town Board Chairman Jason Van Eperen has issued a letter to the community concerning March’s firing:
Dear Grand Chute Residents,
Much has been published in the media in recent weeks regarding the Town Boards 4-1 decision to terminate Town Administrator Jim March. Because of inquiries I have received, I feel it is important to share what information I am able to publicly share, in order to answer some of the questions I have received.
First, I want to say thank you to Jim March for the more than 14 years of service he has provided to our Town as Administrator.
Eliminating special assessments, implementing cost-effective and sustainable road funding, correcting, and preventing drainage problems, developing ordinances and policies that respect property owner rights, and ensuring the safety and good stewardship of our financial resources and tax dollars are all priorities that are important to the new Board. Having an Administrator who can effectively help the Board implement ordinances, policies and other desired actions makes a huge difference in the effectiveness of our government in serving our people.
After witnessing Mr. March’s performance over the past two years, it became apparent to me and others on the Town Board that he was not aligned with what we viewed the role of Town Administrator to be. As a result, we determined it was in the best interests of our residents, and our Board as it continues to work serve our residents, that a new Administrator be retained. This is exactly what Mr. March’s contract, and the law allows the Town Board to do – replace the Town Administrator without any particular cause determination that would be subject to a hearing.
Regrettably, Mr. March believes that reasons other than these were involved in the decision to move in a new direction. As a result, he has filed a lawsuit against the Town, and against me, Supervisor Wolff and Supervisor Ings for our vote (which was 4-1) to replace him as Administrator. At this point, it appears that the Court will need to decide the matter.
As a result of this transition, I look forward to accomplishing results that reflect the wishes and visions of our residents, and to do so in a cost-effective manner.
Thank you for your trust and support as we move through this temporarily unsettled time.
Sincerely,
Chairman, Town of Grand Chute
In a federal lawsuit filed by March against the three supervisors that orchestrated his ouster, he claims that his firing was retaliation for complying with a state Department of Justice investigation into alleged criminal activity by at least one board member.
