Falmouth Town Manager Julian Suso removed by Select Board

FALMOUTH — After months of wrangling, the Select Board on Monday fired town manager Julian Suso, effective July 12, citing poor performance.

Select Board member Onjalé Scott-Price made the motion to dismiss Suso, which was affirmed by her and fellow board members Chair Nancy Taylor, Douglas Brown and Samuel Patterson. Member Edwin Zylinski abstained.

At April 25 meeting, the board read its performance evaluation of Suso in which members said he lacked leadership qualities, trust with the public and criticized him for the departure of town employees with minimal explanation.

. 

Suso insisted he had accomplished all the objectives that he had jointly set with the Select Board as per his contract.

Julian Suso and his lawyer accuse the Select Board of corruption

He also accused the Select Board of corruption, saying members had retaliated against him because he had hired Maura O’Keefe as town counsel rather than Megan English Braga, who had the support of Taylor. 

The Select Board then asked Suso to resign, which he refused. They then voted to initiate his removalHe countered by hiring a lawyer and requested a public hearing. 

'On trial ... for his career and reputation': Falmouth select board may fire town manager

At that June 21 public hearing, chairwoman Taylor read aloud the reasons that Select Board members wanted Suso gone. These included many of the same points made in the performance evaluation, as well as complaints from the public about Suso. 

Suso’s attorney John Clifford accused the Select Board of corruption, saying the hearing was “a sham” and implied that members had met outside of scheduled meetings to conspire against Suso. He also mentioned Suso’s financial skills, and his completion of goals set forth in his contract, including the dismantling of the municipal wind turbines and securing a project manager for the planned Sandwich Road fire station. 

Previous reporting:Falmouth select board votes to oust town manager Julian Suso

He also emphasized the notion the board retaliated against Suso for not hiring Braga as town counsel.  

Suso was suspended with pay since the initiation of his removal. He will receive four months’ salary, according to his contract. His yearly salary is $197,000.  

Suso’s attorney could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.