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City of Monroe fires utility director
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MONROE -The City of Monroe announced Friday, Sept. 13 that it has terminated Alan R. Eckstein, who served as the city's utility director.

Until further notice, his duties will be assumed by existing city staff, according to City Administrator Phil Rath.

Eckstein's termination comes on the heels of a Salary and Personnel Committee meeting Tuesday, Sept. 10, during which members met in closed sessions. The first closed session was to meet with AFSCME union members on a labor grievance, which was followed by a closed session to consider employee issues addressed by the utility director.

Eckstein was given the opportunity to resign, but chose not to take that option.

Eckstein was hired by the city about one year ago.

Some members of the Salary and Personnel Committee and of the city staff met with employees at the wastewater treatment plant on Thursday, Sept. 12.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the city's Common Council is scheduled to meet as a whole in closed session to discuss circumstances surrounding the termination of the utility director and to confer with legal counsel about possible litigation resulting from that termination.

The council is also scheduled to reconvene in open session to take action related to the Salary and Personnel Committee's decision to terminate the employment of the utility director.

On Monday, Sept. 16, the Salary and Personnel Committee is scheduled to consider filling the vacant utility director position and providing temporary, additional compensation for the Lead Operator a the wastewater treatment plant.