Insurance covers bulk of Rockland settlement with development director [Bangor Daily News, Maine]

Dec. 10--ROCKLAND, Maine -- The city's insurance has covered much of the costs of the settlement with former Community Development Director Audrey Lovering.

The city received a check for $30,196 early last week from Traveler's Insurance, according to City Manager James Smith. The city will have to pay a $5,000 deductible out of that payment.

The city had filed a claim for reimbursement following the settlement reached Oct. 11 with Lovering.

The city has not stated the reason for the settlement, citing state confidentiality laws connected to personnel matters. The Bangor Daily News last month, however, obtained a copy of a memo from the city manager's attorney that stated the payout to Lovering was a nuisance settlement to avoid additional legal costs if she had fought her likely termination.

The BDN had learned there was a dispute over a downtown grant and whether Lovering had provided accurate information to the manager about if relocation of light poles would be eligible for grant reimbursement.

Lovering was paid three months worth of salary totaling $21,000, health insurance through the end of January that will amount to $2,824, and $2,000 for the cost of her attorney, $3,799 for the attorney who represented the city manager, and $360 for an attorney to moderate a disciplinary hearing. She also was paid her unused sick and vacation time.

The deadline is Friday for candidates to submit applications for the vacant community development position. The personnel board is expected to conduct interviews beginning the following week.

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