Jeremy Goldman

CAMBRIDGE - The members of the Dorchester County Council terminated the employment tonight of former County Manager Jeremy Goldman. The 3-2 vote took place in closed session.

This was the second meeting of the current board following their swearing-in two weeks ago. Though they did not reveal how the vote went out of public view, when it was time to name an acting manager, members Lenny Pfeffer (District 4) and Rick Travers (District 3) voted against naming county staffer Donna Lane to the post. President William Nichols (District 2), Libby Nagel (District 5) and Jay Newcomb (District 1) voted to place Ms. Lane in the job until a permanent replacement for Mr. Goldman can be found.

The closed session was not on the meeting's agenda, so when near the end of the meeting Ms. Nagel moved to go into closed session to discuss Mr. Goldman's employment, eyebrows were raised among the audience.

When the board returned about half an hour later, Mr. Nichols said, "The vote was 3-2 for a change."

"It will be done immediately," he continued. "There will be no waiting."

Mr. Nichols said the council would abide by the terms of Mr. Goldman's contract, which specifies severance pay.

"It's not a power grab," Mr. Nichols said. "When you serve at the pleasure, that's what happens."

Mr. Pfeffer spoke out against the move "I think that this evening, a reckless, careless decision was made."

Mr. Travers said, "As Councilman Pfeffer, I am concerned also." Turning to Mr. Goldman, he said, "I'm sorry to see you go."

"It's an honor and a pleasure," Mr. Goldman said.

"When a new board comes in, they have the right to do what they want," Mr. Nichols said.

"Some of you, I know who you are, and I know what you're going to do," he said as he looked over the audience in the council meeting room. "Anybody wants to tell lies, go ahead. Tell the whole truth."