Rotterdam Town Hall Clears Supervisor and Attorney in Workplace Investigation
An Albany-based law firm hired by the Rotterdam Town Board has concluded its investigation into workplace misconduct allegations involving Town Supervisor John Polimeni and town attorney John Mertz, finding that the claims could not be substantiated. The findings, detailed in a 22-page report released last week, mark the close of a $38,000 inquiry that examined complaints filed earlier this year by two municipal employees.
The investigation, led by former assistant U.S. attorney Thomas A. Capezza of the firm Capezza Hill, centered on allegations brought forward by Debra Butler, a town assessor, and Lisa Gallo, a public works coordinator. While the report provides a summary of the findings, it stops short of declaring the complaints entirely without merit, noting that because additional evidence could potentially emerge, a categorical dismissal is not currently warranted.
The Claims Against Town Leadership
The allegations, which triggered the investigation following ethics complaints filed on May 5 and May 27, painted a picture of a strained work environment. Lisa Gallo, who has served the town for over two decades and took on the role of public works coordinator in August 2025, alleged that she faced bullying and demotion. Specifically, she claimed that Polimeni publicly criticized her during department head meetings and, in one instance, threw a notebook in her direction while demanding she document her job description.
Polimeni has denied the physical gestures described by Gallo. Capezza’s report notes that while one witness corroborated the supervisor’s professional demeanor, that individual was not present during the alleged incident. Gallo, however, contends that Mertz witnessed the interaction, an assertion the town attorney denies.
Debra Butler, who was confirmed as the town assessor in December 2025, raised separate concerns regarding age discrimination and claims of intimidation by Mertz. Butler alleged that she faced pressure to resign and was subjected to threats regarding her reputation if she resisted specific training requirements. She further claimed there was an effort to replace her with Polimeni’s confidential secretary, Elisa Blum—an allegation the investigative report found to be unsupported.
Town Faces Legal Exposure over Employment Status Dispute
A significant portion of the tension between Gallo and the town administration stems from a dispute over her employment status. Following a grievance hearing regarding an employee’s denied time-off request, Polimeni moved to place Gallo back in her former role. Gallo argued that the town failed to adhere to civil service rules regarding probationary periods.
Capezza’s report acknowledged that this personnel mix-up carries the most significant potential legal exposure for the town. However, the firm concluded that the supervisor’s stated “good-faith misunderstanding” of Gallo’s probationary status as of September 10, 2026, was plausible, citing available documentary context.
Kevin A. Luibrand, the attorney representing Polimeni, maintained that his client cooperated fully with the investigation. “Somebody who’s looking for issues will always find them,” Luibrand said. “John was cleared and he cooperated 100%.”
Pending Lawsuits Ensure Continued Conflict for Town Administration
While the internal report effectively concludes the ethics complaints handled by the Town Board, the matter is not fully resolved. Lisa Gallo has indicated she is considering a lawsuit against the town following the upcoming November 3, 2026, election. A complaint she filed with the state Division of Human Rights remains pending, ensuring that the conflict between the employee and the town administration will continue to play out in external legal forums.
The investigation’s inability to reach a definitive finding leaves the parties involved in a state of continued uncertainty. For the town of Rotterdam, the episode highlights the ongoing challenges of managing civil service compliance and internal workplace culture. As officials look to the 2027 budget—which proposes cutting Gallo’s current position—the friction between the administration and its staff remains a defining feature of the current municipal climate.
