In a change of tune, Carmel reinstates two former employees.

In what might be the start of a new trend, there is good news coming from Carmel City Hall.

After a closed session City Council meeting this morning, it was announced two former city employees, Margie Perotti and Leslie Fenton, would be reinstated with the city. Both had been terminated March 26, and subsequently filed suit with claims that included wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment.

Both Perotti and Fenton were fired under the watch of former city administrator Jason Stilwell, who resigned in October. Numerous city employees either quit, were fired or put on leave since Stilwell was hired in 2011. 

Perotti had worked in various capacities with Carmel’s planning department over the years, and will be rehired as a community activities coordinator/assistant. She will be given back pay and accrued benefits beginning March 27, and will report back to work Jan. 5, 2015.

Fenton formerly worked in several administrative positions with the city, and will rehired as an executive assistant. Because her new position will not be unionized, the city agreed to give her 30-days notice in the event of future termination, as well 90 days in severance pay. Fenton can still apply for a unionized position with the city if one becomes open. She will report to work Feb. 1, 2015, and will not be paid for the month of January. 

Attorney Michelle Welsh represented both women in their claims against the city, and per the settlement, will be collecting up to $30,000 in attorney’s fees from the city. The city also agreed to pay the city’s employee union up to $15,000.

After Carmel City Attorney Don Freeman made the announcement, Mayor Jason Burnett praised Freeman and City Administrator Doug Schmitz for their hard work in resolving the matter.

“There’s been extensive work that Don...has done, including working through the holidays, in order to get to this point,” he said.

Burnett finished his remarks by welcoming Perotti and Fenton (who were not present) back to City Hall.