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The following letter to the editor was written by Jim Haselkamp, former director of human resources at Fairfield:
I guess the famous “Only in Bridgeport” moniker needs a stepchild “Only in Fairfield.” I tried not to get involved in the controversy involving former First Congresswoman Kupchick’s compensation in the hope that current Human Resources Director Katherine Simpson would resolve the issue, however, that did not happen and I felt compelled to respond.
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First, I served as the Human Resources Director for the Town of Fairfield for approximately two and a half years prior to Ms. Simpson’s hiring.Secondly, it pains me and the public should feel pain that Ms Simpson did not address the appropriateness of the payment Because her department would initiate and approve it! I see this matter is being reviewed by the same department that caused the problem and there appears to be a conflict of interest. I don’t understand what HR needs to review, since the “review” should be done before the check is issued. If a review is to be conducted (which in my opinion is a waste of time), it should be conducted by someone other than HR.
Quite simply, the payment either complied with policy or practice, or an error was made. Trying to make it look like the first congresswoman did something wrong or inappropriate is laughable. It says a lot about a person’s character when they are willing to take on responsibilities that are not theirs, and it’s a tribute to the former first female congresswoman. Responsibility for this decision lies with Ms. Simpson, the responsibility of Human Resources. Concerns about whether these payments should be made are legitimate, but these concerns should be directed where appropriate.
The policy was developed under the Fratto administration and revised over the years by various government departments without formal approval. I believe the addition of “elected” officials to the severance language was coined by my predecessor, Mr. Hibson, who worked for First Selectman Tetrow. I assumed HR would review the policy and Mr. Tetreau’s payment to assist in determining Ms. Kupchicks’ payment. My discussion, and the only substantive changes to benefit policy made during Ms. Kupchick’s tenure, relate to ongoing global changes in vesting schedules for 401A participants. There were no other substantive changes, nor those affecting the first-term congresswoman.
Ms. Kupchick certainly had no specific knowledge of her payment after she left, and had every right to rely on HR to properly handle her final payment. This is truly sad and one of the main reasons I left Fairfield because it had nothing to do with integrity and everything to do with politics.
Finally, I call on First Selectman Gerber to have Ms. Simpson resolve this matter, release the final payment information to First Selectman Tetro, and release all documentation generated by Human Resources regarding Ms. Kupchik’s payment and/ or email, the public should know.
greeting,
Jim Haselkamp
Former Human Resources Director
fairfield town
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