FORESTVILLE - After months of being under fire by residents for what was described "disrespectful" behavior, absence from meetings and multiple failures to file monthly reports, Forestville Public Works Superintendent William Bentzoni has resigned, effective Oct 4.
"We have accepted the resignation of Mr. Bentzoni. We'll post the superintendent's job in the paper," Mayor Charles Brewster told the board and numerous residents in attendance Wednesday morning.
The OBSERVER has reported complaints about Bentzoni's performance and lack of appearance at board meetings since December. At the December 2011 meeting, residents alleged he was not completing monthly reports, not attending board meetings and not addressing their problems. One resident suggested the board did not have control over his behavior. Bentzoni was contacted for comment at that time but declined, saying he is "just doing his job."
From a February village board meeting, the OBSERVER reported Brewster claimed to have received around eight letters contradicting the negative comments made by residents at the prior meeting about the public works supervisor. Later that month, it was reported questions were raised at another board meeting about Bentzoni's work hours and whether or not he worked full time.
In April, the board approved a 2.5 percent pay increase for the public works supervisor at a meeting following a public hearing. Residents in attendance raised further concerns about Bentzoni, particularly since a tax increase of 1.8 percent was necessary to pay for his and another employee's raise. The tax increase passed a vote by the board, despite objections from many residents at the public hearing.
In May, the OBSERVER reported residents again complained about Bentzoni, who was not at the meeting to answer questions. Again, no monthly report for his department was filed.
In August, Complaints continued, and Bentzoni did not appear at the meeting or file a report.
Village resident Kevin Warner asked, "He should be at these meetings. Isn't it part of his job?"
Rumors in August Bentzoni was resigning were put to rest at a meeting at that time by the mayor. Letters to the OBSERVER editor followed both criticizing and praising Bentzoni's work.
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