Stonington - The town suspended Highway Supervisor Louis DiCesare II for five days without pay last month for alleged "insubordination and insufficient planning."

The town released a letter this week by Public Works Director Barbara McKrell informing DiCesare of his suspension after The Day made a Freedom of Information request for it on Jan. 22.

McKrell's letter does not detail why the town suspended DiCesare from Jan. 21 to 27, but refers to a Jan. 7 memo that referenced his conduct. The Day filed a freedom of information request for that document on Wednesday.

DiCesare, who was hired by the town in August 2003, initially worked as the assistant building official and for the past six years has been the highway supervisor. He earns $78,800 a year, which means his suspension cost him approximately $1,515.

"I don't agree with the town's position or with any of the accusations they've made that led to the suspension," he said on Wednesday.

Because his case is in the midst of an appeal and he has retained an attorney, DiCesare said he had to decline at this time to discuss the details of what led to his suspension.

He said he will defend his reputation and take all necessary steps to obtain any remedies due to him.

"I have worked diligently for the Town of Stonington for over 11½ years without a single disciplinary incident," he said.

DiCesare was not a member of a union during the time leading up to his suspension. Since last June, when he formally requested to join the Stonington Public Administrators Association, the town has fought his attempt to join the 14-member bargaining unit.

The union, which approved his membership, and the town are waiting for a formal written decision from the state Department of Labor, according to SPAA President Roger Kizer.

But DiCesare said the labor department ruled in his favor last week, and the union can now represent him.

McKrell's Jan. 20 letter to Di Cesare informing him of his suspension said she had received documentation submitted by DiCesare, and has "taken into account the statements made to me regarding the instances of insubordination and insufficient planning that we have discussed previously. My evaluation did not reveal any information that would lead me to issue any shorter period of suspension, given your statements to me."

She told him that town policy for nonunion employees allowed him to file a grievance and request a review by Vin Pacileo, the town's director of administrative services. Pacileo will then conduct an investigation and within 30 days notify DiCesare of his decision, which is final. DiCesare said he has not yet received that decision.

McKrell also told DiCesare in her letter that the suspension "does not include any discipline related to work you were responsible for on Elmridge Road nor any information that may be brought to my attention as a result of the catch basin assessment completed by Town Engineer, Scot Deledda, on Elmridge Road."

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas