REPORT: Colton received $61K severance, City’s silence for resignation

Matt Colton is out as police chief and he received a severance package of approximately $61,000.

The package, revealed through a Freedom of Information Law request by the Finger Lakes Times Times, includes 20 weeks of prorated salary, unused personal leave and vacation time, alongside four months of health benefits.

The severance package comes after months of speculation about what led to Colton being placed on administrative leave in early-January.

Another fact revealed through the FLT’s FOIL request was that no wrongdoing was admitted by either party through the separation agreement. The City has apparently agreed to limit disclosure about Colton’s performance and reason for departure.

Last week, this is what Mayor Steve Valentino had to say about the situation:

“The best I can say at this point is Chief Colton has put in his resignation as of last Friday, and we are immediately starting the search process for the new replacement and I just can’t thank City Manager Amie Hendrix enough. I also can’t thank our previous chief, Michael Passalacqua enough for coming back.”

Valentino noted that City Council, the City Manager’s Office, and Community would be moving forward quickly to find its next permanent police chief.