California, MD — The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) has voted to put out on bid the job of attorney to the commission. The parameters of the job would be on an as needed basis and the attorney would report directly to the agency’s executive director. MetCom is the water sewer authority for St. Mary’s County.
Several years ago, then Executive Director and Attorney Jacquelyn Meiser (shown at left) decided to take the position of attorney instead of continuing as executive director when a law passed prohibiting one person from holding the two jobs. For the last several years, her salary, which is higher than that of the executive director, has been under fire from several MetCom board members. Based on statements at a recent meeting, it is believed her salary would exceed $170,000 beginning in July.
The decision to re-advertise the position came on a 3-2 vote. Commission member Bryan Barthelme made the motion, which was seconded by Mike Mummaugh, with member Charles “Sonny” Pessagno supporting them.
With commission member Alice Gaskin not in attendance and only six members present, two members (Mike Thompson and Bob Russell) voted against the motion. But Chairman Steve Willing, who also opposed it, was not able to vote because he can only vote to break a tie. Based on her previous votes, Gaskin would have likely also opposed the motion.
During the discussion, both Willing and Meiser urged the commission to postpone a decision until a full complement of members was present. They also urged the commission members to become familiar with the previous votes involving Meiser before making a decision. Meiser, for one, said she would prefer that over having to answer questions based on memory.
It is not known how many hours a week Meiser works and that fact has never been revealed at a commission meeting. Mummaugh noted that in negotiations with the commission, she had asked for a flexible work schedule so she could spend time with her son; Meiser agreed with that assessment.
Meiser wanted the discussion about her employment to be in open session while Barthelme preferred it to be in closed session. Barthelme said in the meeting his responsibilities were to the customers of Metcom. For two years he had been arguing her salary was too high and it needed to be adjusted.
During the discussion, there was disagreement between Meiser and Executive Director Scott Bundy as to who Meiser reports to. She said she was on a lateral line next to Bundy, indicating they were on equal footing. Bundy said that’s not how the staff chart looked that was shown to him when he was hired.
The discussion then proceeded up to the vote in open session. Bundy then requested an executive session to clarify some things in his own mind. Meiser stayed in the executive session but left before it was over and then, a few minutes later abruptly, left the building.
After an hour-long executive session, the meeting reconvened for only one vote — that Bundy prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) to present at the May 26 commission meeting.
Bundy and Willing were asked after the meeting if Meiser is still a commission employee. Bundy said that was not a subject of discussion at the executive session. It is assumed she will remain in her current position until the bidding is complete this was not clarified at the meeting.
Meiser, in addition to her employment with the commission, has her own law firm. Presumably she could bid for the position of attorney when the RFP comes out.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet,.com