Amid allegations of harassment, Chatham-Kent has parted ways with Thomas Kelly, just four months after he had been named chief administrative officer for the municipality.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said late Thursday afternoon that Kelly “is no longer an employee of the municipality.” However, CK officials would provide no further details.
“We understand that there may be questions about this matter. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has a responsibility to respect the privacy of our employees,” the municipality said in a statement. “The municipality will not be making any further comments at this time.”
The announcement comes one week to the day that CKXS News reported that Kelly had been the subject of a Ministry of Labour investigation after a harassment complaint was filed against him on November 22, 2021. The ministry said one investigator had been assigned to the case and one unspecified order had been issued to Chatham-Kent as the employer.
Kelly was first hired by the municipality in 2012 and served as the general manager of infrastructure and engineering until his departure on Thursday.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff announced on November 15, 2021, that Kelly would replace Don Shropshire as the municipality’s CAO. Shropshire was expected to retire at the end of last year, however, he has remained in the CAO position.
The municipality said Chatham-Kent Council will be taking steps in the coming weeks regarding the recruitment of the next CAO. Shropshire will remain in the position for the time being.
