Middleboro Housing Authority Director still employed, weeks after board voted to buy her out

Nov 22, 2023

MIDDLEBORO – The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners couldn’t agree on the legal text of a proposed buyout agreement for Housing Authority Executive Director Maria “Angie” Medeiros, which means that Medeiros still holds the role of Executive Director, even after the board voted to remove her from the position.

Back in Monday, Oct. 23, the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted to buyout Medeiros’ contract. Medeiros had originally been contracted to work for the Housing Authority until Dec. 31.

“Her contract expires on December 31 of this year, so some decision whether to keep her on or not had to be addressed by the board,” said Housing Authority Board of Commissioners chair Nancy Thomas. 

The board did not discuss the reasoning behind the decision.

But to actually terminate Medeiros’ contract, the board needs to come up with a new contract that would nail down the details of how Medeiros’ remaining salary would be paid out. The board also needs to choose a new Executive Director to take Medeiros’ place.

At a Middleboro Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21, the board was presented with a proposed buyout agreement for Medeiros. But the board didn’t end up voting on the proposed agreement, because board members said that they did not have enough time to review it.

“My problem is that it is a nine page legal document that we legitimately just had ten minutes to look over that none of us have ever seen,” said State Appointee Rich Young to Thomas. “I’ve never had a legal document that that I’ve been asked to vote on that I haven’t been able to spend time [reading prior to a meeting.]”

Vice Chair Joseph Mandile and Treasurer Scott Bernard echoed Young’s concerns.

“I am very surprised that we didn’t receive this earlier for us to review,” said Mandile. 

Thomas responded that the reasoning behind not distributing the document was to prevent “leaks.”

“As long as it says ‘draft’ on there, it is not for public consumption,” said Thomas.

Young pointed out that the document is now public record because the contract draft was distributed in a public meeting.

According to the contract, Medeiros’ last day was scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 22. Board members said Mediros had already returned her supplies. 

According to Thomas, “Angie Medeiros remains the Executive Director until such time as the Separation Agreement is signed.”