Some Woodstock records seem to contradict claims made by a former town police officer removed from duty due to Parkinson’s disease. Documents and emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request show the town attempted to place officer Anthony Schleuderer in other positions, contrary to claims made in an August lawsuit against the town, supervisor Bill McKenna and police chief Clayton Keefe.
The lawsuit alleges the town and police department violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and state Human Rights Law by failing to provide him reasonable accommodations, such as placing him in a position that does not require firearms qualification.
After being told he needed to retire or resign, he was fired January 5, 2024, to be effective November 15, 2023. He had exhausted all his paid time off. According to a letter from McKenna, it was unlikely he would be eligible for unpaid leave because it was improbable he could ever return to active duty. He has not been paid, but remains active on the payroll.
Schleuderer had expressed interest in applying for a full-time dispatcher position, but was told he needed to take a civil-service exam. When the civil-service list was exhausted, Schleuderer was offered a provisional full-time position.
He refused, according to McKenna. He applied for and was offered a part-time dispatcher position, but according to the records obtained, he refused that position on May 17.
McKenna said Schleuderer was also encouraged to apply for positions at the town highway department, but those would have required a commercial driver’s license.
In a letter sent January 24, 2024, the United Federation of Police Officers Local 439 said Schleuderer had applied for disability retirement in September 2023 through the state retirement system.
It claimed his termination violated the contract and Schleuderer’s rights to due process.
The retirement system sent a letter to town bookkeeper Pam Boyle July 26 confirming Schleuderer was eligible for retirement but could not receive benefits until he was removed from the payroll.
McKenna said Schleuderer is still on the payroll because he has refused to send a resignation or retirement letter. He also said the union indicated Schleuderer would not be eligible for retirement if he were not on the payroll, so the town was trying to do what it could to help him.
The town eventually hired two part-time dispatchers to fill a full-time position, a move the lawsuit alleges subverted state Civil Service Law.
Schleuderer seeks reinstatement or payment in lieu of returning, and an injunction requiring the town and police chief provide reasonable accommodation for his disability, lost wages, and punitive damages.
Schleuderer’s attorney, John DeGasperis of the Basch & Keegan law firm, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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