Independence Township Building Director Dave Belcher was awarded $13,375 in backpay in a settlement with the township over a 60-day suspendion in 2011.
‘After receiving guidance from the township’s legal counsel, the three full-time elected township officials agreed to request the board review disciplinary documentation and that the incident be permanently removed from Belcher’s personnel file,” said township Supervisor Pat Kittle.
The board voted on Jan. 20 to remove the disciplinary action and restore the 60-day suspension-with-no-pay, at the rate of pay he earned at the time.
The case stems from 2009, when Belcher accepted a $3,000 bonus from the supervisor at the time without approval of the township board.
Belcher was given the $3,000 bonus for his work on the new township hall.
Disciplinary action was taken against him on May 17, 2011. The previous board of trustees voted to suspend Belcher for 60 days without pay, and put him on a one-year probation over the incident.
Clerk Barb Pallotta and Trustee David Lohmeier were both on the previous board, which voted to penalize Belcher in 2011.
After seeking advisement from the township’s legal council, Kittle, Pallotta and Treasurer Paul Brown determined the incident should be reviewed.
‘Since I took office, Dave Belcher has been a top notch above-the-board employee,? said Kittle. ‘The conclusions resulting from this review clearly find Mr. Belcher’s performance as the township’s building department director has been proven to be excellent since approximately January 2013.?
By accepting the settlement, Belcher agreed to release any claims Belcher could have against the township relating to the incident.
-Andrea Beaudoin