Director of Planning and Community Development post cut in Middleboro
Leeann Bradley, seen here in an image from her Facebook page, has been terminated from her position as Director of Planning and Community Development due to budget concerns.
Leeann Bradley, seen here in an image from her Facebook page, has been terminated from her position as Director of Planning and Community Development due to budget concerns.
MIDDLEBORO -- Town Director of Planning and Community Development Leeann Bradley has been let go as part on ongoing budget concerns in Middleboro.
The Middleboro Select Board agreed unanimously at their April 27 meeting to terminate her contract as of June 30. She will receive a buyout of $63,000, as specified in her contract, Interim Town Manager Joseph Perkins said.
Perkins and board members stressed that the decision was made purely for financial reason and does not reflect her performance.
Bradley served the town “admirably,’’ Perkins said, and has “incredible’’ institutional knowledge. “But we can’t afford the position.’’
She earned $125,294 in 2024, according to public records.
Bradley had served as Town Planner before being promoted to the newly created position of Town Director of Planning and Community Development by former Town Manager James McGrail.
The town is required to have a Town Planner, Perkins said. That position is currently held by Joseph Mandile, who recently announced his retirement as of May 29.
Select Board Chair Teresa Farley said she had been approached by Bradley about her returning to the soon to be vacated town planner position. Bradley said on April 28 that she hopes to be appointed by the Planning Board to her original position as Town Planner.
Farley said that “no offer was made’’ but that she reached out to Labor Counsel to try to get advice.
She acknowledged that some select board members were “frustrated’’ by not being aware of the situation. She apologized, saying she wanted to keep conversations “confidential.’’
Select Board member Brian Giovanoni said that, “in the future, it would be nice to know exactly’’ what is being discussed and “have an open discussion.’’
He ultimately agreed with his fellow board members to “move forward as a group.’’
Select Board member Tracie Craig-McGee said being named chair of a board requires a learning curve. Farley was named chair earlier this month.
“Every chair deserves a mulligan,’’ Craig-McGee said, referring to a golf term for a second chance.
