board of trustees fires clerk

BY CAMERYN

Oakes

In a surprise resolution not on the agenda, the Manorhaven Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday to rescind the employment contract with Village Clerk-Treasurer Jacqueline Zimbardi.

The resolution was presented by Trustee Khristine Shahipour, who cited a customer-client relationship with the mayor that was not disclosed prior to her employment and a conflict of interest due to her husband serving on the village’s planning board.

Shahipour also said Zimbardi was overpaid, was asking to be paid overtime to work at village meetings and lacked the credentials necessary for her position.

“All of which is not in the best interest of the taxpayer for which this board owes a fiduciary obligation,” Shahipour said.

Mayor John Popeleski, who opposed the resolution, asked before its passage to have the discussion in executive session as a personnel issue. But the rest of the board denied this request.

Popeleski later asked to discuss the matter publicly, which the rest of the board denied as well.

The mayor said he was “broadsided” by the resolution.

Trustee Vincent Costa asked Deputy Clerk Alex Kovacevic to then poll the board on the resolution to terminate Zimbardi. But Popeleski told him not to.

Kovacevic then asked for legal counsel to ensure there would be no repercussions for making an incorrect decision on the matter. Citing a potential conflict he did not explain. Village attorney Genevieve LoPresti declined to offer counsel.

After minutes of delay, Popeleski told Kovacevic he could poll the board on the resolution.

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