Mayor Ray Tout has announced that CAO Lori Heinbuch “is no longer with the township of Wellington North.”
A tersely-worded media release issued Tuesday evening added, “We have no further information to report at this time. We wish Lori well in her future endeavors.”
Sources have told the Advertiser county human resources manager Andrea Lawson and the OPP were present when Heinbuch left the municipal building in Kenilworth on May 2. Locks on the township office were also reportedly changed.
Tuesday night’s announcement was quite different from the statement provided by Tout after a council meeting on Monday.
“She’s still the CAO,” Tout told reporters when questioned about rumours surrounding the absence of the CAO. The mayor would not confirm or deny reports that Heinbuch had been suspended with pay.
Council met in closed session after the council meeting on Monday to discuss a “personnel” matter. Tout confirmed the CAO position was part of the closed session discussions.
“I’m not answering any questions because you’re putting the municipality at liability,” the mayor said on Monday night.
Heinbuch, who received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal earlier this year for her “contribution to municipal and community service,” has been with the township for 11 years, including seven as CAO.
She is the second township manager to recently leave the municipality. Treasurer John Jeffery announced his retirement suddenly last May.
