But someone else is going to have to finish the job.
Herasimowicz, who announced her resignation on Monday after a brief but turbulent tenure as the city’s finance director, had initially enjoying a good working relationship with the city’s administration. That relationship apparently soured and she was placed on administrative leave earlier this year. The city administration was initially reluctant to explain the action, but later acknowledged she was under investigation for mishandling city funds.
An independent report by accounting firm MahoneySabol largely cleared her of wrongdoing, calling her actions “necessary and reasonable” and the Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen reinstated her in a nearly unanimous vote, with only one member voting against the measure.
Derby Chief of Staff Walt Mayhew said he did not know why Herasimowicz had resigned, but said the city is trying to get her to stay in order to help the city meet crucial financial deadlines.
Herasimowicz’s resignation comes as the city continues to struggle with poor finances and is being advised by the state’s Municipal Finance Advisory Commission.
“Agata only provided two weeks notice, which is uncommon for such a position,” Mayhew said. “We will be asking her to provide 30 days notice, which is the accepted notice for such positions. That would allow us to wrap up the year-end processing and get necessary reports filed.”
Mayor Rich Dziekan, who advocated for Herasimowicz to be fired even after receiving the MahoneySabol report, was expecting her resignation, according to Mayhew.
Herasimowicz was initially hired in 2021 and city officials praised her credentials. She was originally picked by Dziekan in an effort to professionalize the city work force since previous directors did not have the experience or qualifications for the position.
Dziekan referred requests for comment to Mayhew. As of now, Mayhew said the city is looking for temporary workers to fill Herasimowicz’s role.
Herasimowicz also did not respond to requests for comment, but she previously compared Derby’s finances to the Wild West before she arrived. But she said there was no system in place to properly manage the city’s finances.
“I knew that it’s going to be hard. But I didn’t expect stuff like that,” Herasimowicz said.
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