Linda Williams ousted after 25 years with town

Town Manager Libby Gibson terminated ZBA Administrator Linda Williams Tuesday afternoon, citing insubordination and violation of directives. Williams has been a Town of Nantucket employee for 25 years.

In a statement to The Independent Wednesday, Gibson said: "Ms. Williams no longer works for the Town. The Town had legitimate reasons to separate her from employment. While employee personnel actions are protected by privacy rights and cannot be discussed publicly, Ms. Williams was given every opportunity to correct longstanding problems but failed to do so. Ms. Williams may disagree with the Town's action, that is her right; however, the Town will respond to her complaints through the due process proceedings that are available to her. I cannot comment further at this time."

Williams, in response to the termination, asked for clarification and elaboration, and said that Gibson refused. Williams asked Gibson to waive the local grievance procedure in order to go directly to state arbitration to expedite the process.

According to Gibson: "There is no benefit to the Town to "expedite" the process, as Ms. Williams phrases it. The process is clearly outlined in the union contract. The contract identifies mandated periods of time within which the Town must respond. We certainly intend to comply with those provisions. This also provides Ms. Williams with every opportunity for the due process to which she is entitled."

Williams must now go through the local grievance procedure, which includes a hearing before the BOS, at a time yet to be determined.

On Monday, Williams said the locksmith was at her office changing the locks and the phone had been rerouted. At that time, Gibson gave Williams a letter, asking her to appear at a meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday to review Wiliams' file and her disciplinary history. Tim Mahoney, town employee's union representative came to Nantucket yesterday and was present when Williams was fired.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there was a political aspect to this. I've had my job threatened before, if I didn't shut up - what I do in my private life has nothing to do with my job," said Williams this morning. "I've given all of my adult life to this job. I don't have any cushion. I've lost all means of support."

"I would rather have a positive solution at the selectmen level to continue in my job - I love my job. I don't want a settlement from the town. "