The Council voted 7-0 to accept Snell’s resignation after a public hearing and executive session.
In exchange for his resignation, effective Feb. 20, Snell received a severance package, including $34,000 in payments and a letter of recommendation.
Snell said he was unable to explain the basis for the suspension. “I really don’t know what happened,” he said. “I wish them the very best.”
Council members declined to specify the reasons for the suspension. Snell’s personnel files, obtained by the Dayton Daily News, contained nothing explaining the disciplinary action.
On Feb. 6, Council voted 5-2, with Mayor David Stubbs and Councilman Sandra Stemple opposed, to suspend Snell with pay, while contemplating final action.
Voting for the suspension were Richard Elliott, Joette Dedden, Gary Pelkey, Kimberly Kaan and Kyle Fields.
Snell, a former assistant manager in Mason, took over in Waynesville following scandals involving the former manager and finance director, and discovery of financial problems that resulted in declaration of a fiscal emergency by the Ohio Auditor of State.
After passing a 1 percent income tax in 2009, the state released the village from the emergency.
Last May, the Village Council gave Snell a raise to $58,246.
In January, Stubbs and three Council members took office. A performance review in January also found village employees were unhappy with Snell.
At Thursday’s meeting, resident Warren Sheehan waved a copy of the performance review while accusing Council of staging a “kangaroo court” to justify their decision to let Snell go.
Councilman Richard Elliott said the performance review was not a key factor in Council’s decision.
While declining to specify reasons, Elliott pointed to the sections of the village charter specifying the manager’s duties and responsibilities.
“We’re following the charter,” Elliott said Friday.
At Thursday’s meeting, residents and business leaders took sides before the final vote.
Resident Jerry Clark said Snell acted as if he owned Waynesville.
“There’s a lot of people don’t like him,” Clark said.
Dawn Schroeder, executive director of the Waynesville Area Chamber of Commerce, said Snell’s suspension had triggered ridicule from county officials.
“We’re not making a good name for ourselves,” Schroeder said during a hearing before the executive session.
The village will mount a search for Snell’s successor. Meanwhile Police Chief Gary Copeland is acting manager.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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