Pingree Grove trustees fire village manager

Pingree Grove trustees fired the village manager Monday night but released few details on why.

Scott Hartman, 38, who became the village manager in June 2008, was officially fired for convenience, a clause in his contract that means he can be terminated for any reason.

During the often tense meeting, Trustee Greg Marston said Hartman made an estimated $400,000 mistake and that Hartman was preparing to fire certain staff members - information Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey admonished Marston for releasing, as it had been discussed behind closed doors in an executive session.

After the meeting, Marston said Hartman spent $400,000 on a 2009 waste water treatment expansion project that the village had never authorized.

He declined to say whom Hartman was trying to fire.

Hartman was in the audience at the meeting and said he could not discuss his dismissal.

"I can't speak to the personal reasons - the decision was made collectively by the board," Hartman said. "It's one of the trials and tribulations of the profession."

Hartman also would not say whom he was planning to fire, but he did acknowledge he moved prematurely on the waste water treatment project, thinking the village would get federal stimulus money.

Less than five minutes after it was brought up for discussion and after listening to a resident's appeal to spare Hartman, Marston, with trustees Stephanie Mette, Steve Wiedmeyer and Josh Cossiboon, voted to fire him.

Trustee Larry Gillie voted against the measure.

Carey protested the decision to remove Hartman, saying it wasn't good for Pingree Grove.

"I don't agree with this; I think this is for a few people," Carey said.

Marston disagreed.

"I'm shockingly on the other side of the argument," Marston said. "This couldn't be more crystal clear."

Trustees will decide next week how to proceed with finding a replacement.

Village Attorney Dean Frieders warned the board and staffers there will be more demands placed on them now that the board has fired Hartman.

"I think it's incredibly important to recognize that there's no one on staff that is going to serve the role of village manager."

Fires: Trustee says manager spent money on plan not yet approved by village