New London Police Chief Not Planning Retirement

The City Council took a retirement agreement for Police Chief Margaret Ackley out of discussion on Monday after learning that no such agreement is on the table.

The Council unanimously voted against going into executive session to discuss “the employment of, and a retirement proposal from attorneys representing, Police Chief Margaret Ackley” after Law Director Jeff Londregan said he confirmed with Ackley’s attorney today that she is not planning to retire.

“They consider that there is no retirement decision or offer from her to the city, so this matter is effectively moot at this time,” said Londregan.

Councilors still met in executive session to discuss “strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims or pending litigation involving the city of New London.” They took no action after the meeting, which included representatives from Mayor Daryl Finizio's office.

Councilors voted 6-1 in favor of this meeting, with Councilor Adam Sprecace opposed due to concerns over whether executive session was allowed with threatened rather than pending litigation. Londregan said the threatened litigation is the same action brought up in August of 2011 when Ackley accused Michael Buscetto III, then a city councilor and mayoral candidate, of unethical behavior.

An investigator looking into Ackley’s claims against Buscetto determined that she would be unlikely to prevail at trial if she sued the city, but that the case would have a “settlement value” of less than $30,000 to avoid legal costs. In January of 2012, the Council rejected a formal employment contract for Ackley and $25,000 settlement proposed by Finizio.

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