Narragansett Interviewed Congressman’s Top Aide for Town Manager Position — Before Job Was Posted

Narragansett Interviewed Congressman’s Top Aide for Town Manager Position — Before Job Was Posted

Documents released after the Narragansett Town Council was found to be in violation of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) show the Council interviewed Congressman Jim Langevin’s Chief of Staff Seth Klaiman for the position of Town Manager — before the job was posted. 

The executive meeting minutes released after Attorney General Peter Neronha found the Council violated the OMA on multiple occasions show a Council divided on how to proceed in the search — and hiring process — of a new Town Manager. 

GoLocalProv.com was first to report the Open Meetings Act violations on Thursday. 

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SLIDES: See Executive Session Minutes BELOW

On May 31, executive session minutes show that Council President Matthew Mannix “noted the need for an executive session with limited participants because confidentiality had been a problem during prior manager recruitment processes."

According to the minutes, Mannix said "several individuals had contacted Council members expressing interest in the position: J. David Smith (resident and former Narragansett Police Department Chief of Police), Seth Klaiman (resident and Chief of Staff for US Congressman James Langevin, and Kevin Lynch (non-resident and former Cranston Police Officer)."

The council scheduled an interview with Klaiman for June 5 — before the job was posted. 

Timeline of Process

After Klaiman was interviewed in executive session on June 5 for just over an hour, council members discussed his candidacy. 

Following his interview on June 5, "Councilor Murray said the process of posting the position and reviewing resumes should be followed. Councilor Lawler expressed concern that this candidate’s name was already being discussed publicly. She said she was agreeable to others being interviewed."

Councilor Pugh said the position should be posted and candidates interviewed — to which Council Mannix said “that is a lengthy process,” noting that when the solicitor was replaced, “the Council appointed an individual who approached them, without a search being conducted.”

Council consensus was then that Mannix give instructions to the Human Resources Director to publicize the position and collect resumes through June 20. 

On June 24, executive meeting minutes show the council agreed to interview William Riccio, J. David Smith, John Apple, and James Tierney, and interviews took place on June 29. 

On June 29, Councilors Mannix, Lawler, and Lema stated Klaiman was their first choice — with Councilor Pugh opposed — and Mannix stated he would “contact Mr. Klaiman” to discuss employment and terms. 

SEE INTERVIEW NOTES BELOW

On July 8, Mannix reported that Klaiman “did not want to accept the Town Manager position if it was offered on a 3-2 vote” — with Pugh confirming he would vote no and Council Murray confirming he would abstain. 

The council then authorized Mannix to offer the position to Tierney. 

Complainant Responds

“They interviewed first, then had arguments about posting the job, and in the end went ahead and did want they wanted anyway,” said Melissa Jenkins, who had been one of the Open Meetings Act complainants.  

Jenkins, who had applied for the job, responded to Mannix’ calling her a “professional troublemaker” in the Narragansett Times. 

“I’m an activist. I don’t think that’s the same thing as being a troublemaker. I don’t think asking people to follow the law is causing trouble," said Jenkins. “Asking them to follow open meetings and equal opportunity laws is not causing trouble.”

Klaiman declined comment when reached on Friday.