Claims of workplace harassment, racist remarks result in council shake-up

A special council meeting Wednesday night called to address recent accusations of workplace harassment, a toxic environment and racist remarks involving Eddystone career staff resulted with a reorganization of council leadership.

Addressing charges involving employees, Councilman William Stewart, who came onto the board after the hirings of the staffers in question, said the borough is doing factfinding into the accusations.

He said there had been some personal changes in the borough at the last council meeting and confirmed there had been some very serious but so far unfounded accusations made on social media.

“I am always very hesitant to react to Facebook postings, however in my summation some very serious accusations have been made,” Stewart said.

At the council’s Feb. 12 meeting, council eliminated two positions, one a multi-position and the second a part-time public works sanitation position.

Stewart said that was a demonstration that council is taking the allegations very seriously and wants to resolve any issues with the borough staff.

One of the jobs eliminated was originally a part-time position. Council

President Rachael Walker said in August it was decided to look for a multi-position with the requirement of a CDL license.

Helen Bolton, Councilman Bob Bolton’s wife, was hired in fall.

That position would be responsible for driving the trash truck a few days a week, as well as additional requirements such as being a substitute crossing guard and basic clerical requirements as well as helping to digitize records.

The second position eliminated was a parttime public works employee. Stewart said the person was only hired in December and not getting along with co-workers. He is the one who claimed racial intimation.

A third employee resigned due to the fallout of the accusations. Stewart said it was disheartening to see the employee leave and asked if he gave a reason.

“Defamation of character and a hostile workplace,” said Borough Manager Dawn Jones. His resignation was accepted by council Wednesday night.

Stewart said there was certainly some unrest among borough employees and in the importance of taking the issue seriously they looked for professional guidance by reaching out to the consultant Michael Diaz at Delco Business Solutions to give a presentation.

Diaz reviewed best practices and proper staff conduct and summed up his presentation saying, “At the end of the day every enterprise is about people. Making sure that people feel they are supported and they know the rules of the road is imperative to being successful.”

In response to a question, Diaz said he wouldn’t decide hirings or firings. That decision rests with council.

Officials then spent some time discussing the hiring of an expert such as Diaz as compared to a labor solicitor.

Stewart said Dawn Jones has the most difficult job possible with everything in the municipality falling on her shoulders. He said a consultant such as Diaz offers expert advice on the topic.

One resident said things weren’t adding up and asked if their investigation led to a bringing in a human resources consultant.

As the meeting seemed to wrap up, Stewart said council has failed the borough employees and suggested a reorganization of council. He nominated Michael Bannon to be president to take over from Walker.

The vote on reorganization passed with Bannon the new president and Stewart the new vice president, taking over from Mandy Hall.

An effort by Stewart to change professional services brought a howl from Walker about violating Sunshine Laws about proper notice.

In the end, no other changes were made.