Watertown highway superintendent resigns job

Less than a year into his term, town of Watertown Highway Supervisor F. Richard Serow has resigned from the position.

Mr. Serow beat 26-year Superintendent John F. Maguire Sr. in the November election. He was slated to make $53,120 during the current fiscal year. His resignation is effective Oct. 17.

A woman who answered the Serow phone and identified herself as Mr. Serow's wife, when asked Tuesday night about his reason for resigning, said, "I'm not going to say, sir."

Town Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett revealed during a brief special meeting Tuesday that he received the resignation letter Aug. 24. Mr. Bartlett then held the letter for at least two weeks before submitting it to the town clerk to disperse to the other council members.

Councilman Edward M. Smith said he was upset that he didn't receive a copy of the resignation until Saturday.

"Why didn't I hear a word about this until then?" he said.

Mr. Bartlett said he didn't notify fellow lawmakers of the resignation because the letter was submitted more than a month in advance of its effective date.

"I took it as personal correspondence," he said.

Town Clerk Kay M. Rich received the letter from Mr. Bartlett on Sept. 17, six days after the town's monthly meeting. No one was selected at the meeting Tuesday to replace Mr. Serow.

"Wouldn't you be upset if you didn't get this until now?" Mr. Smith asked.

"I think you're just being an idiot tonight," Councilman Stephen L. Rich replied.

The squabbling between councilmen didn't stop there.

Mr. Smith refused to vote, claiming the meeting was being held illegally because a lack of notice was given to residents.

The state Committee on Open Government states the following:

"When a meeting is scheduled less than a week in advance, notice must be given to the public and the news media 'to the extent practicable' at a reasonable time prior to the meeting."

Mr. Bartlett left a message on a reporter's answering machine Saturday morning and a notice of the meeting was published in the Times on Monday. Mr. Smith said the public should have been given seven days' notice.

"I made a reasonable attempt to contact the media," Mr. Bartlett said.

"I still think it's illegal," Mr. Smith replied.