Bill Lyon Out Say Trustees,Selects

2010-01-21 / Front Page

There To Be No Highway & Street, Water,Sew er Or Electic Superintendent

By JOHN CRUICKSHANK

The Northfield Selectboard and Village Trustees have voted to eliminate the positions of Highway Superintendent as well as Superintendent of Public Works, both positions held by Bill Lyon.

The action will result in Mr. Lyon being fired as of July 1 when the new budget becomes effective. Mr. Lyon has been with the village and town since 1971.

He has been Water Superintendent for the village since 1974 and became Superintendent of Public Works in 1981.

The action was taken at a joint budget meeting held on December 21. However, the matter did not become public until the last weekend and Mr. Lyon was not informed until earlier in the week.

According to Selectboard Chairman, Ken Johnson, the two boards designated Mel Adams on behalf of the selectboard and Colin Bright from the Board of Trustees to inform Mr. Lyon.

Mr. Johnson also said that there was no discussion of Mr. Lyon’s performance during the meeting. The town manager merely recommended the elimination of the positions and we followed her recommendation, he said.

Mr. Lyon’s direct boss, Nanci Allard, the town and village manager made the recommendation that the positions be eliminated to save money, Mr. Johnson added.

However, increases expected in the salaries of the present highway foreman and water and sewer foreman along with an increase in the salary of the town manager will effectively wipe out any savings which might have otherwise been attributed to this cost saving measure, according to people who have surveyed the proposed budget.

“We eliminated two other positions as well,” Mr. Johnson said, one a presently unfilled police officer position and the second, a clerk in the municipal offices who left because the work assigned to her had been completed.

The finalized budget will be voted upon at the selectboard meeting on Monday, January 25. The meeting is at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Community Room at the Brown Public Library.

Ken Johnson said that he realizes that Mr. Lyon is upset about the elimination of his position but, added, that he has six months to decide whether to just retire after nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the community.

Return to top

There used to be time when

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2010-02-17 13:32.

There used to be time when small town living and employment meant something. People would dedicate their lives to a town and help make it a better place. It was a thankful job. Well guess what it is a thankless job that no good respecting person would want to take on. Northfield is suffering from bad management at the top for starters. Nancy has done a poor poor job but yet she is insulated.The Boards and Trustees are a bunch of cronies. When are people gonna get mad and wake up? Why do we have to cut positions when there is record turnover and unfilled positions?

Bravo Northfield, I've not

Submitted by Steve Davis (not verified) on Thu, 2010-01-28 16:15.

Bravo Northfield, I've not had much reason lately to be proud of the town where I was born but the above letters supporting Billy and setting the slectboard straight has made me very proud indeed. Keep Billy, dump the town manager and seriously rethink re-electing and selectboard members. Thanks Northfield, Steve Davis

I wathched the joint meeting

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2010-01-26 15:10.

I wathched the joint meeting on TV. I am very glad they added that position back into the budge. Mr. Lyon has been a dedicated employee and should be able to retire on his terms, not a budget cut. Also, I am appalled at our selectboard. Certain members (you know who you are)did not have the guts to admit motions made and then threw a temper tantrum when the motion to add the position back. You should be careful how loud you speak, there is a microphone near, although maybe it was good that true colors are shown. While the trustees were trying to get their vote to add the position back, one of the Selectboard members loudly stated that the remaining members caved in due to public outcry. As they should have. You made a huge mistake and you were called on it.

Poor Leadership: The Top-Down

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2010-01-26 13:18.

Poor Leadership: The Top-Down Attitude: abusive authority; deplorable delagation; lack of listening; Dictatorship in decision-making; Lack of letting go; Egocentric manner; Fear of losing authority. True Leadership is being courteous. They never look down or talk down. Transparency. They don't have one set of manners for important people and another for less important. To them everybody is important because everybody has God-given potential; they just work to bring it out. Great leaders are decisive. As a leader you'll be remembered for two things: the problems you created and the ones you solved. The Town of Northfield needs a great leadership team. The last few months is a exclusively a result of having poor leadership at the helm. I commend the people that reversed the decision to eliminate Mr. Lyon's job. I pray that we, as a community, can find better leadership in the Trustees, in the Selectboard, and in the Town Manager's position.

I want to commend the

Submitted by Steve (not verified) on Tue, 2010-01-26 03:42.

I want to commend the selectboard/trustee members who corrected their course of action monday night. Shame on the ones who voted to keep the elimination of the superintendant and even more shame on the trustee who had to abstain because she was afraid of showing some courage and is best friends with the town manager.

Outside of the clear

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2010-01-25 12:22.

Outside of the clear personnel issues, I am not in support of living in a town where these two positions are eliminated. If this were done right, it would have included an open discussion about the need to consolidate positions or cut the budget before it ever entered the realm of personalities. You can tow the party line and repeat it is about the position and not the person, but when your actions speak much differently, it's clear that people don't believe you. AND get even more upset. I am not sure how the town manager and select board members can look at themselves in the mirror and feel good about themselves. I sure wouldn't.

The one thing I have always

Submitted by Jessie Tierney (not verified) on Mon, 2010-01-25 12:01.

The one thing I have always loved about Northfield is that everyone in the town supports each other. There is a sense of pride, community and a sense of true belonging. In most communities people can't even trust their own neighbors anymore... Bill Lyon is an integral part of what makes Northfield so great. He's dependable, accessible, knowledgeable, and he truly cares about the town and its citizens. It makes me sad to think of our town being run like a big corporation with no allegiance to those who have given their hearts to the place.

Because of the low

Submitted by na (not verified) on Mon, 2010-01-25 16:47.

Because of the low pay/appreciation and high responsibility/aggrevation, I generally temper my criticism of our Town Manager. However, personal integrity and real concern for our community, are expectations that I have for this position as a baseline. Based upon numerous incidents (both reported and unreported) over the past couple years...I must finally say that Nanci's concern for our community is wholly lacking (I won't even quote some of her "off the record" statements around town). And there is now also enough evidence to call into question her integrity. In tonight's session, I hope the board addresses the lack of transparency and due process in this event, and sets a course for seeking a new Town Manager. Also, if record of this vote (of removing Bill Lyon) can not be produced. The issue must be revoted or dropped. If not, I suggest that we citizens of Northfield set the course for electing a new Select Board.

Here's the repository of

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2010-01-25 10:18.

Here's the repository of meeting minutes (http://www.northfield-vt.gov/text/Meeting%20Minutes/2009/). The current Joint Board meeting minutes have a timestamp of "22-Dec-2009 10:58 34k " and show no record of this reported vote or executive session, where this vote would have been confidential. I included the timestamp so that noone could "update" the minutes ex post facto. This should be the most germane point in tonight's meeting, as such a vote not properly recorded would be a severe breach of protocol.

There is something fishy here

Submitted by Dave Black (not verified) on Mon, 2010-01-25 08:56.

There is something fishy here and it stinks of Power Play, on the part of the Town manager. What I mean is why would the Town Manager say that no raises are expected because of a budget crunch, then fire an outstanding, dedicated, public servant like Bill Lyon then give herself and others his salary in a form of raises. She and both boards are supposed to be looking out for the welfare of the community and save money. This is an immoral act and a lack of leadership. Bill Lyon deserves better. Maybe the Monday evening meeting will shed light on this.

Precisely! And with doubtful

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2010-01-25 10:20.

Precisely! And with doubtful "due process"... this is BIG, and worthy of thorough scrutiny by the citizens

Please support Bill Lyon, the

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2010-01-24 17:07.

Please support Bill Lyon, the town and village owe him a great deal over the decation that he shows. I am really upset that the town manager would even consider such measure. She has no clue how much Mr. Lyon is an asset to this town. Please support Bill Lyon speak out loud and clear to your selectmen and trustee. The manager should be that one who needs to go. Lets give our respect to an employee who has worked all these years for us. Speak up at the town meeting and lets reverse this stupid decision.

Perhaps,Ishould not sumit my

Submitted by Althat you haveex Birnie (not verified) on Sat, 2010-01-23 16:05.

Perhaps,Ishould not sumit my comments,as I am not a resident of Northfield/Falls(was in 1940/41). Now reside in South Carolina and visited Northfield/Falls 09 summer,and was extremly impressed(normally,not easily impressed)with the condition of the Falls covered bridges. A lot of areas in Vermont are not taking care of their bridges("Big tourist attraction). Did not know who were responsible. Was it State.County or Northfield? Contacted town and village manager. She referred me to Bill Lyon. He was very friendly,answering all my questions about Northfield&Falls.Was not only impressed about bridges,but condition of the roads.Know that it is not an easily job to do it,especially with the weather that you have. Have experience with good and bad politics. Apparantly "BAD"! There is no substitution of 35+ extensive experience that Bill Lyon has.Think Northfield will be in "BIG" trouble when he leaves. Should Northfield shoul re-consider!! Considered living in Northfield for summers,but if this amount of bad politics,probably will go somewhere.

I was really surprised to

Submitted by Steve (not verified) on Sat, 2010-01-23 15:11.

I was really surprised to hear this. I believed it to be a rumor. I will certainly be at the monday meeting and want some concrete answers why the town manager allard believed it was okay to just the superintendant through a murky, no..a muddy ( at best) meeting. Although I havent seen the minutes myself, my understanding was that there was nothing in them that indicated this was happening. So that leads me to believe it was done behind closed doors. I am going to try and get a copy of them on monday to prepare for the meeting and encourage everyone else to do so. This is not how a man who has spent 35 plus years working his rear off should be treated. Maybe the manager, selectboard and trustees need to get sued again to understand what they are doing is wrong.

I have known Bill Lyon for

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2010-01-22 21:09.

I have known Bill Lyon for over 23 years. He has given his all for the entire town. It is very concerning that a few people can make a decision like this. They have no idea of what he has done for the Town. He has given of his life and family. There is a right way to handle a situation and a wrong way. This is definitely the wrong way. Certain people in the Town's Management do not know when they have something good. They are mean and have no idea what this man has given. The person who should be fired is NOT Bill Lyon, but Nanci Allard. Bill Lyon has a wealth of knowledge about our internal systems, roads, fire, water, sewer, and emergency structure. He has been on the job and serving Northfield for over 35+ years. What goes around comes around.

I know what Bill Lyon has

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2010-01-22 20:33.

I know what Bill Lyon has done for the Town of Northfield, and the sacrifices he has made. The Town of Northfield stands to lose a lot of knowledge and a very dedicated individual. It's a tough economy out there. Let's shop for a new Town Manager, instead.

screw u nanci allard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2010-01-22 15:11.

screw u nanci allard

Hmmm...I don't see anyting in

Submitted by NFLD citizens (not verified) on Fri, 2010-01-22 14:51.

Hmmm...I don't see anyting in the 12/21 minutes about this vote. And didn't Nanci already inform town employees that they should NOT expect raises in 2010, per our budget crunch. I fully support replacing any town manager who is not "managerial" enough to handle a RIF of a 40yr dutiful employee of our town with enough professionalism and decorum, such that it does not become front-page drama and an embarrassment to that employee. Dump Nanci!

1) I don't see this vote in

Submitted by NFLD citizens (not verified) on Fri, 2010-01-22 14:46.

1) I don't see this vote in the Joint Board meeting minutes of 12/21, nor do I see mention of executive session where this would have been decided. 2) Recent statements by Nanci and the Select Board have indicated that town employees should NOT expect pay raises in 2010. 3) The Joint Boards should publicly address the appearance of this process, which was not transparent and appears questionable when Mr. Lyons' "replacements" and the Town Manager are to receive previously unavailable pay increases as a result of this SECRET VOTE. Given the all-around budget crunch, and the expense of Mr. Lyons seniority (<40yrs of service); it's understandable that Mr. Lyons' position would be open for discussion. In fact, most organizations throughout the state are under the same pressures. However, the citizens of Northfield are owed full transparency. And our community should feel that it owes Mr. Lyons more respect after 40 yrs of service. Eliminating his job is understandable. The disrespect is the front-page drama, back-room political deal, which seems to be a hallmark of Nanci Allard. I wish to thank Mr. Lyons for the many years of wonderful service his given us, and hope he remains active in our community in his next endeavors. I hope the citizens of Northfield block the budget until pay raises for Nanci and her cronies are eliminated. I hope the next incarnation of the selectboard will conduct a thorough review of the recent performance of the Town Manager, with focus on actions during the investigation of Chief Shaw and this matter at hand (Bill Lyons). Regards

If this isn’t a sure case of

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2010-01-22 14:12.

If this isn’t a sure case of “stab in the back?” Dump Naci and keep Bill.

I think it is absolutley bull

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2010-01-22 14:09.

I think it is absolutley bull crap. I agree that if anyone should be fired it should be Naci. Who do you think she gained all her knowledge from? I'm sure she couldn't do her job (which she can't) without Bill being a part of assitng her. Sounds like a sure case of "stab in the back."

The person who should be

Submitted by Mike Kerin (not verified) on Fri, 2010-01-22 09:30.

The person who should be fired is NOT Bill Lyon, but Nanci Allard. Bill Lyon has a wealth of knowledge about our roads and water and sewer systems. He has been on the job and serving Northfield for a long time. The knowledge he has is very valuable and will be a loss for us when he is gone. If anyone has worked in the field for anytime they know what I'm talking about. There is nothing like experience to help do a job, especially with underground systems like water and sewer. When a break occurs he knows where to shut off the source and how to repair it. He knows his crew and gets excellent work from them. Bill will be missed by those of us who know his value. Mike Kerin

I went to the joint meeting

Submitted by Mike Kerin (not verified) on Tue, 2010-01-26 11:34.

I went to the joint meeting last night . At the meeting Nanci said" I'm not getting a raise" . At the Town Meeting I'm going to hold her to it. Also when they put the positions back in the budget there was a savings by not giving the raises and part time employee. I question the logic of eliminating the positions if it costs more. Try having people pay a little more for their health care plans. That would be a big savings. Just an update . Mike Kerin

I think that it is selfish of

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2010-01-21 22:24.

I think that it is selfish of these three town employees to benifit and get a salary increase when this poor man whom has worked for the town for almost 40 years looses his job. What is this world coming to? Are town officals like the banking executives that are taking all this bail out money to make their wallets fatter. what a shame this poor man suffers while you guys gain a few extra bucks.. ridiculous!!! I would rather save a co-workers job then recieve a raise and have them loose theirs.. think of their family!! WHAT BS this is!!!

I think that it is selfish of

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2010-01-21 22:18.

I think that it is selfish of the other 3 town employees get a salary increase when this man dedicated almost 40 years to the town of northifeld, and he is loosing his job, and the others benifit. Is town employees of northfield becoming like banking executives and stripping the hard working people out of money and jobs just to make their wallets fatter!! Sounds like it to me... what a shame!

Bill Lyon Out Say Trustees,Selects

Post new comment