Page 5 - eagle042221

April 22, 2021 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5

ROMULUS - SUMPTER
ROMULUS - SUMPTER

Firefighter terminated for taking double pay

”
Following lengthy and heated Luke detailed his findings the entire board to view the
discussion, members of the from each week and found that Luke said the result was an 18-foot long table videotaped interview of Armatis
Sumpter Township Board of Armatis had incorrectly calculat- with Luke, claiming “there is
Trustees last week terminated ed the amounts 58 times in 74 in his office covered more to the story.”
firefighter Colleen Armatis in payrolls he reviewed from with records and documentation. Luke asked if she was imply-
connection with payroll irregu- January of 2020 until February of ing that he had not accurately
larities. 2021. Armatis was paid $1,482 and completely reported the con-
Armatis, through her repre- extra, $1,104 for double runs and fighter, not only herself, proving, his instructions to her about the tent and result of that interview
sentative Jim Steffes of the another $380 while studying for she claimed, that it was an error. overlaps or double payments. to the board members to which
Michigan Association of her firefighter one rating. Luke “If she did it for one, she did it Conflicting accounts of the time Morgan replied that she felt he
Firefighters, waived her right to a said he met with Fire Chief Joe for everyone,” Steffes said in of Januszyk's instructions and had. She persisted, however, to
closed session and employee con- Januszyk regarding the matter Armatis' defense. training were also discussed. insist that viewing the video
fidentiality during a hearing on and explained that an audit of all Luke said he did go back and Steffes reminded the board interview was crucial for the
the matter which was part of the payroll and call records was nec- review the payroll for every fire- members that Armatis turned the board members and that the
board Zoom meeting March 13. essary in light of the complaint. fighter during the same period payroll information over to the board members should each
Armatis, who has been with Luke said the result was an 18- but could not base anything on chief every month and no one have copies of the 18-feet of docu-
the department about 5 years, is foot long table in his office cov- the small number of other ever checked or questioned it. He mentation he had reviewed in
accused of taking double pay- ered with records and documen- instances which occurred. With said the union believed the inves- the investigation. She said she
ments from the fire department tation. three other employee records tigation is incomplete and that and Treasurer James Clark had
for fire runs and while complet- During a subsequent inter- reviewed, he said, the double even the small sample of employ- seen the tape at Luke's office and
ing her firefighter one video view with Armatis, Luke said, she payment occurred only four ee records demonstrates that continued to argue that she and
training which occurred while acknowledged the double-pay- times. “she did it wrong for others.” the board members needed all
she was also being paid for ments but said that it was an “I cannot say this works for “Was she an asset to the the documentation and records
hourly work. According to the error and that Januszyk had not her (Armatis) in her defense or department?” he asked. “I'm Luke had prepared.
union contract which became instructed her to change the pro- against her,” he said. “There sim- befuddled. The union contract “We have all the information
effective in January 2020, fire- cedure until August. Armatis said ply was not a large enough sam- requires progressive discipline and a recommendation from the
fighters are paid a base fee per the double-payments were an ple to work with.” for all but the most serious director of public safety,”
run or response to a fire alert error and that she forgot to “In my opinion, this is always errors.” He added that the responded Trustee Tim Rush
tone and then hourly. If the indi- implement the new procedure. wrong. The fire chief went to responsibility for the double pay- who then made a motion to vote
vidual is already being paid by She suggested that the error had Armatis and told her several ments was with Januszyk, as the on Armatis' termination.
the township for other work, the not only occurred in her pay but times to make sure this was being head of the department. Following more discussion
run fee is to be deducted from in others in the department. She done correctly,” Luke said. “This was never done with including insistence by Morgan
the hourly rate they are already told Luke during the interview, “I don't feel I have any other malice, it was an honest mis- and Steffes that the board mem-
being paid. he said, that it was a mistake and choice as director of public safety take,” he said. bers examine Januzyk's pay
Public Safety Director Eric that she simply forgot the new but to bring to the board this ter- Trustee Matt Oddy repeatedly records looking for the same
Luke told the board members procedure. She also claimed that mination request,” Luke said. asked Januzyk for a definite errors in recordkeeping, Oddy
that he had received a complaint being paid double for firefighter “The responsibility is hers. I don't answer regarding the amount again asked Januzyk if he felt he
March 10 that there were irregu- training was standard policy. believe you ever get paid double and time of training and if the had trained Armatis. Young
larities in the fire department The deductions for runs and for the same job,” he added, fire chief felt he properly trained repeated Oddy's question to
payroll preparation, which was study were properly made in “especially when the person Armatis. “Well, I thought I did, Januzyk who reluctantly
part of Armatis' duties. In August, Luke said, when making the huge mistakes is also but evidently, I didn't,” Januszyk responded, “I would say yes.” He
response to the allegation, Luke Januszyk told Armatis to be care- the one who benefits.” responded at one point. During said he told Armatis three times
said he began an investigation of ful to implement the new proce- Members of the board and the discussion, he confirmed he that “we gotta watch the double-
the fire department payroll dure. In following months, how- township attorney Rob Young dis- had shown Armatis how to taps” referring to the double pay-
records dating back to January of ever, Luke said, the double pay cussed the matter at great length, deduct the runs from the hourly ments.
2020. The complaint, he told the continued at an erratic rate, pri- questioning Januszyk about the pay three times. Steffes denied Morgan and Clark cast the
board, was that Armatis was marily benefitting Armatis. training he provided to Armatis, that claim on her behalf and said lone dissenting votes and Armatis
being paid for fire runs and study Armatis' claim was that she which Steffes claimed was inade- she had not been trained. immediate termination was
time while also being paid hourly. made the mistake for every fire- quate and the specific dates of Trustee Peggy Morgan wanted approved by a 5-2 vote.
City infrastructure construction continues in Romulus

Romulus Mayor Leroy Burcroff has a Barth is being resurfaced following the tion, something he has persistently insist- ed a $400,000 non-vehicle pathway grant
very nice problem. installation of a new water main as the ed needed attention. Van Buren to construct a sidewalk from the I-275 bike
Burcroff recently asked residents to current water pipes is deficient with fire Township is also a paratner in the recon- path to the downtown area. Construction
“pardon the dust” in the city as various flows for nearby residents and schools. If struction which is designed to make the has started and is estimated to finish this
community infrastructure projects contin- any lead metal water service lines are area safer by turning the boulevard inter- fall, Burcroff added.
ue construction. encountered during the project, they will section into a necked-down intersection “We are hard at work making improve-
Burcroff said than many of the projects be removed in their entirety, Burcroff with a traffic light. ments throughout the City of Romulus. We
are in response to requests or concerns said. The Great Lakes Water Authority is in ask that you please excuse our dust as we
expressed by residents and that the city Throughout the city, the sanitary sew- the final stages of making connections work to make the City of Romulus an even
had responded. ers are under rehabilitation, Burcroff and installing appurtenances along the better place to live, work and play through
Currently under construction, he said said, being conducted by Granite Liner newly installed water main . The roadway these projects.
is the new Ozga Sanitary Sewer. a new Construction. This project spans across from Wick, Cogswell and Tyler roads will “If you have any questions or concerns,
sewer line from The Progressive Hall to the entire city and will include the clean- be paved in fall 2021, Burcroff said. please call (734) 942-7579,” Burcroff added
St. Aloysius Church to service the resi- ing of the sewer lines and rehabilitation The City of Romulus has been award- in a social media post.
dents along the West side of Ozga who of the sewers in specific districts in the
have failing sewers. city.
Also causing some construction dust is Wayne County has partnered with the CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF NORTHVILLE
the current work on the reconstruction city, Burcroff said, to finally reconstruct Advertisement for Millennium Park Dugout Replacement Project
and water main project on Barth Road. the Hannan and Northline Road intersec- Sealed Bids will be received by the Clerks Department, Second Floor, Northville Township Hall, on or before 10:00 A.M. Friday,
May 7, 2021.
The Township hereby solicits bids to remove four (4) existing chain-link dugouts, provide and install four (4) fixed metal roof
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF NORTHVILLE dugouts on two (2) ballfields at Millennium Park, 45745 Six Mile Rd., Northville, MI 48168. Information on the project is avail-
able on the Northville Township website at www.twp.northville.mi.us/projects along with all bid documents, and can also be
Advertisement for Community Park Dugout Replacement Project obtained from the Clerks Department, Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm at Northville Township Hall, 44405 Six Mile
Road, Northville, Michigan.
Sealed Bids will be received by the Clerks Department, Second Floor, Northville Township Hall, on or before 10:00 A.M. Friday,
May 7, 2021. Additional information may be obtained from the Parks & Facilities Supervisor, Nathan Reilly at nreilly@twp.northville.mi.us.
Questions regarding the project shall be brought to the attention of the Nathan Reilly, Parks and Recreation Department via email
The Township hereby solicits bids to remove four (4) existing chain-link dugouts, provide and install four (4) T-cantilever shade to nreilly@twp.northville.mi.us. Questions will not be accepted after 3:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 5, 2021.
system dugouts and concrete pads for each dugout on two (2) ballfields at Community Park, 15801 Beck Rd., Northville, MI
48167. Information on the project is available on the Northville Township website at www.twp.northville.mi.us/projects along Roger Lundberg, Township Clerk
with all bid documents, and can also be obtained from the Clerks Department, Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm at
Northville Township Hall, 44405 Six Mile Road, Northville, Michigan. Publish: April 22, 2021 NT0127 - 042221 2.5 x 2.376
Additional information may be obtained from the Parks & Facilities Supervisor, Nathan Reilly at nreilly@twp.northville.mi.us.
Questions regarding the project shall be brought to the attention of the Nathan Reilly, Parks and Recreation Department via email
to nreilly@twp.northville.mi.us. Questions will not be accepted after 3:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 5, 2021. NOTICE OF ELECTION
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF NORTHVILLE, MICHIGAN
Roger Lundberg, Township Clerk MAY 4, 2021
Publish: April 22, 2021 NT0128 - 042221 2.5 x 2.376 TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP:
Notice is hereby given that a Special Election will be held in Northville Township on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. The polls will be
SYNOPSIS open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL REGULAR MEETING
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF NORTHVILLE At the following locations:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DATE: Thursday, April 15, 2021 Precinct 1 & 2 Moraine Elementary 46811 Eight Mile Road
TIME: 7:00 p.m. Precinct 3 & 4 Northville High School 45700 Six Mile Road
CALL TO ORDER: Supervisor Abbo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Precinct 5 Township Hall 44405 Six Mile Road
PRESENT: Mark Abbo, Supervisor Scott Frush, Trustee Precinct 6 Winchester Elementary 16141 Winchester
Roger Lundberg, Clerk Mindy Herrmann, Trustee Precinct 8 & 9 Silver Springs Elementary 19801 Silver Springs Drive
Jason Rhines, Treasurer Cynthia Jankowski, Trustee Precinct 10 &11 Ridge Wood Elementary 49775 Six Mile Road
Christopher Roosen, Trustee Precinct 12 Meads Mill Middle School 16700 Franklin
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
1. Agendas: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Northville Township residents in Precinct 1-6 & 8-12 will be voting on the following:
A. Regular Agenda and the Consent Agenda items - Approved
2. Appointments, Presentations, Resolutions & Announcements: Northville Public Schools
A. Northville Youth Network - Appoint Sherrie Winfield - Approved
B. Beautification Commission - Reappoint Lora Cash - Approved Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
C. Historic District Commission - Reappoint Shana Maitland - Approved Exempting Principal Residence
D. Landfill Working Committee Report - Presented And Other Property Exempted By Law
3. Public Hearing: None 19.2383 Mills For 5 Years
4. Brief Public Comments: One resident had a question or comment for the Board.
5. New Business: Full text of the ballot proposition may be obtained at the administrative offices of Northville Public
A. Declaration of a Local State of Emergency - Approved Schools, 405 West Main Street, Northville, Michigan 48167, telephone: (248) 344-3500.
B. IGA for Wayne County Park Millage Projects - Approved
C. Marv Gans Comm. Park Electrical System Repair - Approved PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Northville Township residents in Precinct 7 will NOT be voting in this election because they
D. Fire HQ In-Floor Exhaust Removal - Approved are part of the Plymouth-Canton Community School District.
E. Fire Station AHU Replacement (B.A. FY20) - Approved
F. Web Design Technology - Approved A sample of each ballot is available at the Northville Township's Clerk's Department located at 44405 Six Mile Road, Northville
6. Unfinished Business: None MI 48168. Sample ballots can also be found at the township's website: www.twp.northville.mi.us.
7. Ordinances:
A. Adoption - §28-10 - Stopping, Standing, Parking Ordinance - Approved Absentee ballots are available for all elections; registered voters may contact the local clerk to obtain an application for an absent
8. Check Registry: voter ballot.
A. In the amount of $2,767,981.39 for the period of March 6, 2021 to April 2, 2021. - Approved
9. Board Communication & Reports: To comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), voting instructions will be available in audio format and in Braille.
A. Mark Abbo, Roger Lundberg, Jason Rhines, Scott Frush, Mindy Herrmann, Cynthia Jankowski, Arrangements for obtaining the instructions in these alternative formats can be made by contacting the township clerk in advance
Christopher Roosen and Todd Mutchler of the election. All polling locations are accessible for voters with disabilities.
10. Any other business for the Board of Trustees: None
11. ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. Roger Lundberg
A draft of the meeting minutes will be available on April 23, 2021. Northville Township Clerk
Respectfully submitted: (248) 348-5825
Mark Abbo, Supervisor
Roger Lundberg, Clerk NT0130 - 042221 2.5 x 4.861 Publish: April 22, 2021 NT0129 - 042221 2.5 x 5.702