FRAMINGHAM — A legal agreement inked in late December will allow Framingham’s former assistant town manager to stay on the payroll through June while he considers applying for a position in the new city government.
Bob Halpin — the former town manager, and now an adviser to Mayor Yvonne Spicer — announced last week that he signed a separation agreement on Dec. 28 with his former right-hand man, James Duane.
The deal, executed days before a new city government was installed, allows Duane to continue receiving his salary through June 30, 2018 while he considers his job prospects.
Duane was among a handful of employees whose jobs were eliminated or replaced in the city transition. His salary was redirected to fund the position of chief operating officer, a new job created by Framingham's recently-adopted city charter.
Halpin, who signed a similar agreement with selectmen last year, praised Duane’s work during his 17 years as a town employee, saying Duane served with the “highest degree of professionalism and achievement.”
Duane advanced through the ranks to become operations manager, deputy director and director of the Division of Parks and Recreation before being named assistant town manager in October 2015.
“It is my hope that this separation agreement and accompanying commitment to severance will allow for further consideration of where he fits into the future City,” Halpin said.
Spicer offered similar sentiments, saying that as a Framingham native, Duane understands the "inner workings of the community and the fibers that bond Framingham together.”
“This separation of service will hopefully provide relief and clarity for Jim; and a clear path of where he will fit into Framingham’s new form of government,” Spicer said in an announcement. “I am optimistic that there is a place for Jim here, and we must provide Jim with the time and support that he needs to decide where that best fit may be.”
Under the terms of his severance deal, Duane resigned effective Dec. 31. He will first exhaust any accrued vacation and personal leave, after which a "severance period" running through June 30, 2018 will be triggered. Duane will continue to be paid his regular salary during the severance period, and will remain eligible for health insurance benefits. The severance period will end if Duane is rehired by the city in another capacity.
Duane earned an annual salary of more than $122,000 in 2016, the most recent year for which salary records were available.
As part of the deal, Halpin agreed to provide Duane a positive letter of recommendation, and to tap into his network of contacts in local government to help Duane find another job.
In exchange, Duane agreed to be "reasonably available" to assist city officials by providing information and background on matters in which he was involved as assistant town manager.
Duane also agreed to waive his right to bring legal action against city officials in the future on a range of grounds, including "constructive discharge, defamation, infliction of emotional distress (intentional or negligent), misrepresentation, negligence, promissory estoppel, unjust enrichment” or any claims relating to employment policies.
The city is currently soliciting applications for a chief operating officer, who will carry out many functions once handled by the assistant town manager. The person appointed for the job will serve at the pleasure of the mayor, and will assist in the “coordination and direction” of various city departments. The charter directs the mayor to appoint someone for the job with “strong administrative and executive qualifications” or other bona fides, such as education, training or municipal experience.
Jim Haddadin can be reached at 617-863-7144 or jhaddadin@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JimHaddadin