Phil Stackpoole was removed as chairman of the Addison Township Fire Board Monday night after six years of service following a 5-2 vote of the township board.
Supervisor Bob Koski told the board his reasoning behind the removal was because he’d ‘like to see another person take the position and offer new ideas to the board and the township board.?
‘I feel it’s an appropriate way and an appropriate time to remove Mr. Stackpoole,? he said.
But trustees Christine Sypitkowski and Claudia VonDrak disagreed with the supervisor’s decision, voting against the motion.
‘I think that’s a hard thing for us to vote on, though,? Sypitkowski said. ‘We’re not given any reasons for why anything’s being done.?
‘I would prefer if we have a question like this before the board and we’re asking for a vote that we have some kind of information that gives us some clarification on the whys and wherefores,? VonDrak said.
Koski didn’t want to elaborate on any more of the reasons he suggested Stackpoole be removed because he didn’t ‘feel it should be aired publicly.?
‘I feel that it’s not beneficial for the person or for the township,? he said.
But Stackpoole claimed it was his understanding that he was being removed because of a possible violation of the Open Meetings Act.
Both the supervisor and the township attorney, Robert Davis, told Stackpoole a personal e-mail he sent to each board member on Nov. 1 requesting a ‘time-specific response? was a ‘gray area? that could be considered a violation of the act because the letter could be construed as a ‘meeting.? Koski wouldn’t say if the e-mail had anything to do with his removal.
Stackpoole maintained he was just ‘asking for ideas? from the board regarding the township’s Paid Time Off policy and that his goal was ‘to serve the taxpayers.?
‘I don’t think I did anybody a disservice and you’re not going to get any new ideas,? he said. ‘This is a political thing. Shame on you.?
Sypitkowski commented after the motion to remove Stackpoole passed, saying she didn’t like the way his removal was handled.
‘I don’t think this should’ve been in front of the board the way it was,? she said.