An ongoing state investigation led by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office into airport procurement practices had already prompted the resignation of longtime Airport Commission chairman Foley Vaughan last month, and was likely the catalyst behind Peterson’s dismissal on Tuesday.
But when the five members of the Airport Commission emerged from a closed-door executive session Tuesday night, they offered no explanation of their decision to cut ties with Peterson, who had served as airport manager since 2004.
“We’d like to announce that the commission has come to an agreement with Mr. Peterson that provides he will be terminated without cause, effective Friday, Oct. 28th,” chairman Dan Drake said. “I’m delighted that we have reached an agreement. It’s in everyone’s best interests.”
The terms of Peterson’s firing were not disclosed, and Airport Commission members would not reveal the details of a severance package that was approved during the executive session.
Peterson now has three weeks to decide whether to sign the severance agreement, Drake said.
Under the terms of Peterson’s current contract–the validity of which has been questioned–a termination without cause entitles him to severance pay equal to six months worth of salary and benefits. Under that calculation, Peterson would receive roughly $88,000 for half-a-year’s worth of his current salary, housing stipend, longevity pay and deferred compensation.
Jeff Marks, the current airfield supervisor, will serve as the interim airport manager while the search for Peterson’s successor gets underway.
On Tuesday afternoon, just hours before the meeting, Peterson was holding a shovel along with the five members of the Airport Commission during a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the airport’s new $3.8 million general aviation and administration building. By Tuesday night, Peterson was walking out of his final Airport Commission meeting as manager, receiving hugs and well-wishes from some airport employees and supporters.
Peterson, 73, leaves behind a legacy of vast infrastructure improvements at the second-busiest airport in Massachusetts, including a new $29 million terminal, completed in 2009, as well as the new rescue and firefighting building. But his tenure will also be remembered for a series of questionable financial and management practices that put a spotlight on him and the municipal enterprise fund he managed.
Friends and associates believed Peterson was a skilled and talented manager who guided the airport into the 21st century, while his critics saw arrogance, greed, disregard for the rules and a presumption of autonomy from municipal oversight.
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