Claremont
In an email, Mayor Charlene Lovett said five of the nine councilors signed the contract and the others will sign it at the Wednesday council meeting.
In addition to his salary, McNutt will be offered the same health insurance options as other new city employees with the city paying 90 percent of the plan’s cost, and the city will contribute $15,000 a year toward retirement. McNutt is exempted from the state retirement system and the city’s merit plan, the contract says.
There are other provisions regarding termination or resignation. The contract says McNutt serves at the “pleasure of the council.” The council can terminate his employment “with or without cause” by a majority vote. If it is done without cause, McNutt will be paid six months’ salary. The city manager can demand a public hearing if the council votes to remove him and he will serve until the hearing.
McNutt, who is from Fitchburg, Mass., and was most recently the town administrator in Lancaster, Mass., has the right to resign without interference from the city but must give the city 90 days’ notice, the contract states. If he fails to give sufficient notice, he forfeits any unpaid benefits such as vacation and would only receive his earned salary.
McNutt is expected to start his job in early February. He will be at a public meet-and-greet from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the community center.
