HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022.11.01 STB Packet
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
NOVEMBER 1, 2022
4:00 PM
AGENDA
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
ITEM(S) FOR BOARD ACTION
11STB2022-1 RESOLUTION Adopting a Resolution Censuring a Councilmember
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Resolution No. 2022-____
EXTRACT OF MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD ADOPTING A
RESOLUTION CENSURING COUNCILMEMBER PATRINA FREEMAN
At a special meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Irondequoit, Monroe County, New York
held at the Town Hall, 1280 Titus Avenue, in said Town of Irondequoit, on the 1st day of
November 2022, at 4:00 P.M. local time: there were
PRESENT:
Rory Fitzpatrick Town Supervisor
Patrina Freeman Town Board Member
John Perticone Town Board Member
Kimie Romeo Town Board Member
Peter Wehner Town Board Member
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP Attorney for the Town
Town Board Member _______offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, the Town Board has a fundamental interest in ensuring the general welfare
of citizens of the Town and in instilling and promoting confidence of the residents of the
Town and the general public in the orderly and principled operation of Town government
and the conduct of its affairs (Irondequoit Town Code § 40-13); and
WHEREAS, the proper administration of the government of the Town of Irondequoit
requires its officers and employees, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, to be
independent, impartial and free from conflicts of interest in fulfilling their public
responsibilities so that the public will have confidence in the integrity of its town
government (Irondequoit Town Code §20-2); and
WHEREAS, under usual circumstances, the Town Board believes that in a democracy,
the ballot box is the highest and best corrective action for elected officials who fail to act
in the best interest of the Town and its residents and/or put their interests before those of
the Town and its residents; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board acknowledges that in some instances, an elected official’s
improper actions are so egregious that a response is needed, and indeed deserved by the
public, before the next opportunity to visit the ballot box occurs; and
WHEREAS, recently, the Town Board has been made aware of certain actions taken by
Councilwoman Patrina Freeman that are antagonistic to the proper standard of conduct
for elected officials who the people of Irondequoit trust to work for public’s benefit,
including:
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1. On several occasions, Councilwoman Freeman tried to use Town resources for the
benefit of an organization not part of the Town government, without prior Town
Board approval. Specifically, despite knowing that ICARE is not entitled to use
Town resources for free without prior Town Board approval, Councilwoman
Freeman improperly sought for ICARE: use of Town conference rooms without
the normal rental fee; use of public funds to purchase supplies for a non-Town
events hosted by ICARE; coverage under the Town’s insurance policy for a non-
Town event hosted by ICARE at a local school; and payment by Town for ICARE
website and associated technical support; and
2. Councilwoman Freeman frequently and consistently addressed Town employees
and other elected Town officials in a demeaning and accusatory manner, often
chastising them in open public, and on several occasions stating that she was
“going to kill” a town employee and/or official who she perceived to have made a
mistake, and on at least one occasion stating to a Town employee that “I am your
boss” and “it’s not going to be good for you if you don’t do what I say”; and
3. While working on Town committees and boards, Councilwoman Freeman on
many occasions refused to schedule meetings, ignored requests for input, or was
otherwise uncommunicative, thereby frustrating the progression of work on behalf
of the Town; and
4. Councilwoman Freeman consistently refused to meet with the Acting Town
Supervisor, the Town Supervisor, and other Town Board members on an
individual basis outside Town Board meetings to discuss Town business; and
5. Councilmember Freeman showed disinterest in, or disregard for, and otherwise
was disruptive to Town business by excessively texting and emailing from the
dais at Town Board meetings; and
6. Councilwoman Freeman improperly abstained from voting on a number of
resolutions important to the operations of the Town, including without limitation
on March 15, 2022, June 21, 2022, and July 12, 2022; and
7. Evidence suggests that Councilwoman Freemen revealed the substance of
sensitive discussions held in executive sessions of the Town Board to people not
on the Town Board;
8. Councilmember Freeman misrepresented the Town Supervisor’s position on
certain matters to the ICARE members, including telling the members that the
Supervisor refused to meet with them; and
9. On at least one occasion, Councilmember Freeman threw papers at Town
employees; and
10. On or about October 17, 2022, Councilwoman Freeman engaged the media to
allege that she was assaulted by Town Supervisor Rory Fitzpatrick, despite being
fully aware that after a police investigation, her claims could not be substantiated
by evidence.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, as a result of these instances, the Town Board
enacts the following censure against Councilwoman Freeman effective until the end of her
current term:
1. The Town Board expresses to Councilwoman Freeman its desire that she conduct
herself in a dignified and professional manner at all times while representing the
Town and the people of Irondequoit.
2. Councilwoman Freeman must request and receive approval from the Town Board
before incurring any expense on behalf of the Town.
3. Councilwoman Freeman may not contact any Town employee directly. Instead,
Councilwoman Freeman shall direct any comments to or requests of Town
employees to the Town’s Director of Personnel (currently Jason Vinette), who
will act as an intermediary for the communication.
4. Councilwoman Freeman is restricted from meeting with any Town employee
outside the presence and supervision of the Town’s Director of Personnel
(currently Jason Vinette).
This censure shall take effect immediately and last through the end of Councilwoman Freeman’s
elected term. If this censure is violated, the Town Board will move forward with all available
remedies, including without limitation, procedures for the removal of Councilwoman Freeman
from the Town Board.
Seconded by the Town Board Member __________ and duly put to vote, which resulted as
follows:
Town Board Member Wehner voting _______
Town Board Member Perticone voting _____
Town Board Member Romeo voting _______
Town Board Member Freeman voting _____
Town Supervisor Fitzpatrick voting _______