Culp funded a campaign mailer saying Singh’s contract is “poor judgment and mismanagement of our tax dollars.”
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But it was Papanek and Flasher who voted to direct the township administrator to draft a separation agreement with Singh.
The vote followed a nearly 40-minute executive session. Papanek declined comment after the vote. Flasher, and Trustee Doug Barry, who voted against the resolution, did not return messages.
“I am absolutely surprised that the existing trustees, Mr. Papanek and Mr. Flasher, would take this action when all during the campaign they defended the need for the compliance officer and raved about the performance of Mr. Singh,” Morris said in an interview this week.
“I’m interested to know what’s changed in the past month.”
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The separation agreement says Singh’s work for the township will cease Dec. 31. The township will pay Singh four months’ salary and accrued vacation and sick leave in a lump sum. Singh agreed not to take any action against the township.
Singh is contracted to work at least 12 hours a week at $119.46 per hour, meaning four months’ pay would be roughly $22,936. Singh was also reimbursed for meals and a hotel when he stayed overnight locally to attend meetings.
The separation agreement is different than what it says in his contract, which runs through 2020. The contract says if his work is terminated without cause they have to pay him a lump sum worth six months’ pay and continue his benefits for six months.
Singh signed a formal letter of resignation dated Dec. 19.
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“I thank each of you for the opportunity and support you provided in our effort to improve Miami Township,” his letter says.
Morris questioned whether the current trustees wanted to end the contract for fear he and Culp would try to find cause to terminate him without a severance payment.
Singh has not returned messages seeking comment.
Singh was hired in the wake of a slew of concerns about the actions of township employees, including improper use of township computers and a deputy police chief hosing down a naked 17-year-old girl who had been pepper sprayed.
