Laura Allen

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Sept. 19, 2019) Berlin Town Administrator Laura Allen has been fired, town officials confirmed to the Bayside Gazette Monday.

No cause for the dismissal was given, with Councilman Thom Gulyas saying only, “I can’t believe we’ve been betrayed like this.”

Berlin Mayor Gee Williams and the Town Council unanimously agreed to dismiss Allen at 8 a.m. on Monday.

“This action was based on the best interests of the Town of Berlin, and its citizens, and property owners,” Williams said.

Williams said the decision was “a long time coming” and based on “more than one issue.”

While Williams would not comment on the circumstances of Allen’s dismissal, he did confirm that the handling of the chemical spill at Heron Park was a factor.

“It was unfortunate that this came about, but we’re all committed to trying to do what’s in the best long-term interest of the town,” Williams said.

Gulyas also stressed the importance of municipal officials being able to work together.

“We’ve got to protect the town,” Gulyas said.

Williams said that he and Berlin Managing Director Jeff Fleetwood would split the town administrator’s responsibilities until the position could be filled.

There is no timeline for the that hire, but town officials expect to start looking for candidates in the next few weeks, Williams said.

Allen served as town administrator for roughly six years, having taken the top management post on Sept. 3, 2013.

In addition to working on mitigating the chemical spill at Heron Park, Allen tackled several tasks over the past year, including the fiscal year 2020 budget cycle — which involved restructuring the property tax, water and sewer rates — and stormwater projects throughout town.

Of her departure, Allen said, “As town administrator, I served at the will of the mayor and council. It’s their right to make changes as they see fit.”