MENARD

WOONSOCKET — In April, a beleaguered Mayor Susan D. Menard threw in the towel during a week in which her police chief and deputy chief retired abruptly and the state police took over the Police Department. Menard announced that she would be retiring on June 15, a year and half early.

But as the weeks went by and controversy in the Police Department died down and the City Council’s investigation of misuse of city resources by city employees hit a snag when Menard filed an injunction to stop the council, there has been constant talk that the mayor isn’t leaving next month.

On Tuesday, during her weekly visit with WNRI radio talk show host Roger Bouchard, Menard said she wanted to stay to see the adoption of the 2008-2009 budget and the first quarter tax bill sent out on July 1. When Bouchard pointed out that that was two weeks later than what she said, Menard said she would decide on July 1 when she would go.

Council members say the uncertainty is unfair to Council President Leo Fontaine, who under the City Charter would take over as mayor because he must prepare for a major change in his life and that of his family. He has to notify Corkery Genealogical Inc., the legal and probate family business where he works, when he will be leaving. He has to work on a transition for the new administration.

Not knowing the mayor’s date of departure is also tough on the manager of the Board of Canvassers who must set a date for a special election to elect a council member to replace Fontaine.

Menard would not talk much about her departure. “I don’t know yet,” she said. “It will definitely be later.”

Bouchard said there is a political battle going on, “a tit for tat.” Menard is handing her administration over to Fontaine who is investigating her administration and that can’t sit well, he said. “She is giving him a run for his money,” Bouchard said. Up to about six months ago, Menard and Fontaine got along well to the point where she once said he was like a son to her, he said.

Councilman William Schneck said the mayor is being unfair to Fontaine. “We need a firm date. We have to have a transition period. It’s not fair to Councilman Fontaine and his family and his family business. The Board of Canvassers has to plan a special election,” Schneck said. “Let’s get real. Let’s get professional. Too many people’s lives are affected by this move.”

Schneck said what would help Menard out the door is a decision from the state Ethics Commission. She is being investigated by the commission for leasing Harley-Davidsons from her son-in-law’s Harley dealership in Massachusetts and allegedly not going out to bid.

“If she is found guilty that would help make her decision quicker. Until then, we don’t have an official letter from her so this could go on until the end of her term, and there is nothing we can do,” Schneck said.

Fontaine was not available for comment.

Councilman John Ward said that it is not only difficult for Fontaine to have an amicable transition but now he is limited in his ability to talk with Menard due to the council’s investigation of misuse of city resources and Menard’s request to depose three council members, including Fontaine, regarding the case. The uncertainty is confusing the people, Councilwoman SuzanneVadenais said. “I don’t know if she is doing this to upset everybody and throw people off course.”

Todd Brien, who ran unsuccessfully twice for mayor against Menard, said her actions are unfair to Fontaine and city residents. Brien said he will run for the council seat that will be vacated when Fontaine becomes mayor. Brien, a retired police sergeant, said that regardless of when she leaves, Menard should not be allowed to pick the new police chief. “If she is going out the door, she shouldn’t be making any appointment.”

tpina@projo.com