The Comstock Township Board voted Monday to approve a lump sum separation payment to terminate Township Superintendent Scott Hess without cause.
The vote followed an extended discussion in which a motion to investigate whether cause existed before executing the agreement failed, and a separate motion to recuse Trustee Kristie Cherry from the vote over a potential conflict of interest also failed. Treasurer Sandra Bloomfield urged the board not to proceed with payment while a lawsuit against the township is pending.
What the board approved
The separation agreement includes payment of Hess’s remaining salary, car allowance, and pension obligations. The board voted to pay the settlement in a lump sum rather than in installments, over the objection of Treasurer Bloomfield.
The termination is characterized as without cause, meaning the agreement includes a mutual release of liability between the board and the superintendent.
The divided vote
Before approving the settlement terms, Supervisor Benjamin Martin moved to authorize an investigation to determine whether cause for termination existed prior to executing the separation agreement. Treasurer Bloomfield supported the motion. The motion failed and did not pass.
A separate motion to recuse Trustee Kristie Cherry from voting — based on a letter signed by Superintendent Hess regarding her property, which some argued created a conflict of interest — also did not pass.
What comes next
With Hess’s departure, the board also discussed redistribution of the superintendent’s duties. Supervisor Martin indicated he would take on those responsibilities while the board determines next steps, including potential amendments to the employee manual to reflect the transition.
The board also approved retaining outgoing CFO Bret Padgett on an hourly basis to assist Treasurer Bloomfield and Deputy Treasurer William Knight during the transition period.
