Government

Village utilities director resigns, future of position unclear

JENNIFER GUSTAVSON FILE PHOTO | Jack Naylor has resigned as Greenport Village utilities director.

Jack Naylor has officially resigned as Greenport Village utilities director and the Village may not hire a replacement for the position, Mayor David Nyce said.

During a special meeting of the village board Thursday, the trustees voted unanimously to accept Mr. Naylor’s resignation.

“We came to a point where Mr. Naylor’s employment wasn’t agreeable for both sides,” Mr. Nyce said.

The voluntary resignation is a result of labor contract negotiations between the Village attorney and Mr. Naylor’s lawyer that took place during Mr. Naylor’s five-week leave of absence, Mr. Nyce said. Mr. Naylor was paid his full salary during his absence and will continue to receive Village benefits.

Since Mr. Naylor held a civil service job, he was protected until the next reorganizational meeting in April.  His resignation means no further action is required, the mayor said.

Mr. Naylor was first appointed in 2007, however the board has frequently expressed dissatisfaction with his performance in recent years.

In April 2012, Trustee Mary Bess Phillips proposed cutting Mr. Naylor’s one-year term in half because she had been unhappy with his oversight of the wastewater treatment and light plants. Members approved the shortened 180-day term by a 3-1 vote, with Mr. Nyce casting the lone dissenting vote after failing to sway his fellow trustees to vote on a one-year reappointment.

The dispute appeared to be resolved in October when the mayor confirmed that Mr. Naylor would stay on as utilities director.

During his recent leave of absence employees of the utilities department oversaw operations, Mr. Nyce said. Now that Mr. Naylor is out as director, Mr. Nyce said there is a possibility the village may do away with the position.

“We’re looking to restructure management of the department,” Mr. Nyce.

Mr. Naylor could not be immediately reached for comment.

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