Weichsel to Temporarily Step Aside for Health Reasons

The East Hampton Town Council will be discussing at an executive session on Tuesday the appointment of an acting interim town manager.

Interim Town Manager John Weichsel is expected to have surgery this week and the appointment of a replacement will be for the duration of his recovery, the length of which won’t be known until sometime after the surgery.

“There is no timetable for his return, initially,” town council member Thom Cordeiro said on Sunday.

The nature of Weichsel’s surgery was not disclosed.

“We feel there’s obviously a need for an interim town manager,” Cordeiro said. “It was Mr. Weichsel’s idea to put somebody in his place until he is suitably recovered.”

Weichsel, 78, took over as the interim town manager on May 2, replacing Bob Drewry. Drewry had stepped in on an interim basis after town manager Jeffrey O'Keefe resigned Sept. 10, 2010, after allegations of sexual harassment arose during an attempt to remove Police Chief Matt Reimondo and abolish the position of police chief altogether.

Weichsel was the Southington Town Manager for 44 years before retiring in January. He had been the only town manager Southington had since it first adopted a manager-council form of government in 1966.

“Our thoughts are with his recovery and we’re just concerned about his health at this point,” Cordeiro said. “We wish him well and a speedy recovery, and he will come back as soon as he is ready.”