Aug 6, 2009 11:06 pm US/Eastern
T Buys Out Grabauskas For $327,000
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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After Thursday's vote, it appears Grabasukas holds the cards in the battle for his job.
WBZ
The head of the MBTA has agreed to step down after narrowly keeping his job with Thursday's vote to oust him as general manager.
The vote took place earlier Thursday, but MBTA Manager Dan Grabauskas reached a buyout deal hours later with Transportation Secretary Jim Aloisi and members of the T's board of directors. His buyout includes $215,000 in salary left on his contract and another $111,000 in benefits plus full health coverage through the end of deal next May. Grabauskas was paid $255,000 a year.
For reasons that remain unclear, Aloisi put forth a public campaign against Grabauskas last month, including a letter from three board members denouncing the T's chairman. Aloisi also included a disputed claim that Grabauskas had been out of touch with his office.
Grabauskis, a longtime executive branch official, had drawn support in the battle for his job from top Democratic leaders, including Boston Mayor Tom Menino and leaders in the House and Senate and half the members of the MBTA board.
After Thursday's tied panel vote, it appeared Grabasukas held the cards.
Earlier Thursday, Gov. Deval Patrick reiterated his desire to make a change before Grabauskas' contract expires next spring.
PATRICK DISAGREES WITH BUYOUT
"My first concern is not the general manager. I want to be respectful to him, and I want to see he's treated fairly, but my concern is the safety of the riders and the efficiency and appropriateness of the management," Patrick said.
It's unclear why Patrick and Aloisi wanted Grabauskas gone. The move will be costly to taxpayers because Grabauskas had said he would expect a full buyout.
Patrick released a statement Thursday night saying he strongly disagrees with the board's decision to grant Grabauskas a buyout, calling it "out of line with both the fiscal conditon of the MBTA and the job performance of the General Manager."
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