Solid Waste manager quits

NORWAY — Alison McCrady, named the best solid waste manager in the state in 2004, has quit her position with Norway-Paris Solid Waste (NPSW) after a little more than four years on the job.

Officially, McCrady resigned to return to Idaho, “to pursue job opportunities and to care for her elderly parents,” according to a joint statement issued on behalf of McCrady and the NPSW board of directors by Paris attorney Dana Hanley.

However, intrigue has swirled around the Brown Street transfer station for several weeks.

At the last meeting of the year for Paris selectmen, Town Manager Sharon Jackson informed town fathers that, earlier in the day, NPSW treasurer Bruce Hanson called to say that “the situation has been resolved.”

“What situation is that?” asked Selectman Ernie Fitts.

Jackson explained that on Tuesday, December 5, McCrady was suspended by NPSW directors for five days.  Beyond that, she had no other information, and said she did not know herself what the “situation” was.

NPSW directors have been tight-lipped.  They continue to refuse to say why McCrady was suspended without pay, or to explain why Hanson abstained from the vote. 

McCrady did appeal the suspension.  However, according to Norway Town Manager David Holt, it was unclear who McCrady was appealing to.  The town selectboards, he said, had no power to overturn the suspension.

During the suspension, NPSW board members filed in for McCrady.  Hanson says they will continue to do so now that she is not returning to work. 

In a recent telephone interview, Hanson said “everything is going great” at the transfer station.  He also complimented NPSW employees for “stepping up to the plate.”  There has been no decision yet, he said, on how or when to replace McCrady.

Beyond that, Hanson referred all questions to attorney Hanley.

For his part, Hanley’s only comment was to release the short, one paragraph joint statement, in which the NPSW board wished McCrady “well in her new endeavors.”

“The board commends Alison for her hard work and expertise, including her extensive knowledge of the laws and methods applying to the waste disposal and recycling industry, as well as her high productivity and reliability. They have rescinded her recent suspension,” read the statement.

Both Hanson and Hanley declined to say if the action to rescind the suspension came before or after McCrady resigned.  However, Hanson did say that this action absolved the board from ever having to explain why McCrady was suspended in the first place.

NPSW President Ray Garnett could not be reached for comment over the holidays.

The NPSW board will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, at the Norway town office, to work on their budget for the coming year.   The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, January 15, at the Paris town office.