A rumor circulating last week that former Lake Orion Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel was on the verge of accepting the same position in Holly was laid to rest by Van Tassel on Monday.
‘I didn’t call Holly and Holly didn’t call me,? Van Tassel said, noting she has gotten phone calls from people enquiring about the rumor.
Van Tassel said she even had a conversation with the Holly School Superintendent, who thought Van Tassel was on the verge of being hired, but reiterated that she hasn’t had ‘any conversations with Holly.?
Van Tassel said she has had discussions, however, with a different municipality, and expects to speak with them again later this month.
‘No offer was made, we just had a preliminary discussion,? she said of a December conversation with the unnamed municipality.
Van Tassel was fired by Lake Orion in November. Clerk Arlene Nichols continues to serve as interim manager while the village council is reviewing applications for the position.
The council reviewed applications during their regular meeting on Monday.
They looked at 22 applicants (five of which were discussed behind closed doors for confidentiality reasons), and agreed to review just five of the applications for further consideration and possible interviews.
The council will continue to advertise the position on the Michigan Municipal League’s website, setting a Feb. 6 deadline.
Their hope is to have a list of all possible candidates in front them at their Feb. 11 meeting.
They also agreed at Monday’s meeting to pay Van Tassel’s severance package of $40,259.30.
The package includes six moths pay and nearly $9,000 in unused vacation time.
The cost to the village could reach over $50,000 if benefits are included. Those benefits would be discontinued if Van Tassel takes another job prior to the June 15 expiration date.
The agreement will still get final approval from the village’s labor attorney.
The money to pay Van Tassel will come from the village’s general fund.