Another senior staff member is no longer with Wellington North Township.
Mayor Ray Tout confirmed after Monday’s council meeting that director of public works Deb Zehr has been let go.
Tout said council decided not to retain Zehr after her probation period ended. She was hired last August and had her probation period extended before being terminated on May 2, Tout told the Advertiser.
The township finally sent out a News release on Zehr’s departure on Tuesday stating, “Mayor Raymond Tout and Chief Administrative Officer Michael Givens announced that Deb Zehr is no longer with the Township of Wellington North.
“The Township thanks Ms. Zehr for her efforts and wishes her well in her future endeavours. There is no further information to report at this time.”
Zehr’s departure comes on the heels of several terminations and departures by senior staff over the past couple of years which have seen a treasurer, CAO and fire chief replaced.
“The title is going to be managed by the CAO (Mike Givens),” Tout said after the May 12 council meeting. “He’s overseeing it.”
In his role as acting director of public works, Givens will be assisted by other staff, Tout said.
“We’ve got good people who know how the system works,” the mayor added.
Tout, when asked whether frequent changes in senior staff might have an impact on hiring new, qualified replacements, said finding staff is becoming more difficult.
“You have to move forward and if you do business like you did in 1980 you won’t,” the mayor responded.
The mayor said the township is also looking at costs when it comes to new hirings.
“To get exactly what you want out of the labour pool, Wellington North can’t afford it,” he said.
Tout declined to comment on whether the township would hire a consultant to find a replacement.
