BATAVIA/City DPW director placed on administrative leave

File photo-Tom Phelps-November 9, 2024

By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service

Tom Phelps, the Department of Public Works director for the City of Batavia, apparently has been placed on administrative leave but he’s staying silent about it – at least for now.

“I can’t make a comment until the investigation is concluded,” Phelps said when reached by telephone on Tuesday afternoon. “I really am unsure what this is all about.”

He went on to say that this is happening while he is on vacation this week from his job.

Video News Service also reached out to City Council President Eugene Jankowski and City Manager Rachael Tabelski on Tuesday afternoon for comment – with Jankowski saying, “The City can’t comment on personnel matters due to privacy concerns and they’re looking into it.”

Tabelski has yet to respond to an email.

Reached by telephone after that, Councilman-at-Large Nicholas Lord said that he was notified by management via email on Sunday that Phelps, a city employee for seven years who was promoted to the DPW head in October 2024, had been placed on administrative leave.

“I had heard this from members of the community on Friday, I inquired about it on Saturday and officially heard it from city management on Sunday,” said Lord, R-C, who was elected to the governing body last November.

(File photo)

Lord said he did not know who is taking Phelps place in the interim.

“I’ve asked, but no detail has been provided,” he said, adding that he has voiced his displeasure about not receiving information in a timely manner.

“It’s a tough go, but that’s OK,” he said. “I got elected for the people and I’m trying to do my best to represent people. I’ve been on political boards before, the Hamburg Development Corporation when I lived out that way, and the City Council slash City Hall is one of the most emotional groups that I’ve ever worked with on a board.

“So, I wasn’t super prepared for that, but there’s definitely a lot of emotion in the decision-making, which, like I said, I’m not accustomed to. So, it’s a learning curve for me. But I’m doing my thing and representing the folks that elected me and doing what I think is right at the end of the day.”

Lord, 30, is employed as director of facilities for Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston and Lockport Memorial Hospital. He said he had applied for the DPW director position two years ago

“I interviewed when they were interviewing for his position and they also were interviewing for a director of HR (Human Resources),” who had given up a multi-year career with Wyoming County to come to the city and since has left. Now, Tom is on administrative leave.

“I don’t know if the issue is City Hall, but I’d like to see some type of third-party assessment of what’s going on there as far as the turnover goes and that’s on the record if you want.”

City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on May 26 at City Hall Council Chambers.