CLINTON TWP — A former township road crew worker may sue the township after losing his job.

Blane Martin, 55, of Saxonburg said Monday he plans to challenge his dismissal, which was ratified by the township supervisors Friday.

“I am hoping to seek some legal representation over it,” Martin said. “It wasn’t handled right.”

The board voted 2 to 1 for Martin to no longer be an employee retroactive to March 17, when an executive session was held about his employment.

He has not worked for the township since then.

Clinton Supervisor Ed Boyd, board chairman, called the action a layoff.

“This would be a ratification,” Boyd said about Friday’s vote.

Boyd, who voted to end Martin’s employment, said he couldn’t elaborate further due to it being a personnel issue.

Martin, who was paid $18 an hour, said he was not given a reason for his dismissal.

“They really wouldn’t tell me,” he said.

However, Martin blames the move on friction he has with Boyd.

“Me and Ed have gotten into it at times,” Martin said.

Martin, a former township supervisor, said an issue arose after Boyd saw him leave work early one day.

“I worked through lunch,” Martin said about why he could leave before quitting time.

According to Martin, the men had an argument about his departure time.

Martin said he just wanted Boyd to leave road crew workers alone so they could do their jobs.

Supervisor Kathy Allen sided with Boyd.

“It’s more than personality conflicts,” Allen said. “I’m evaluating our work force with an objective viewpoint.”

With Martin’s departure, the township is left with one full-time roadmaster and a part-time worker.

Supervisor Jim Halstead, who is the roadmaster, opposed Friday’s vote.

“It really cuts the legs out from the road crew,” Halstead said.

He explained much of his time is doing paperwork tied to natural gas and oil drilling occurring in the township and the part-time worker is about to take a leave of absence.

Halstead said Martin has grounds for legal action.

“I’m real concerned this will cost us money,” Halstead said.

While Clinton’s insurance carrier would defend the township if Martin sues, Halstead said the township still would pay at least $15,000 for the deductible.

He accused his colleagues of violating the state Sunshine Act because they must have discussed Martin before the March 17 executive session.

Halstead said he was the only supervisor who did not know what the subject of the March 17 meeting was ahead of time.

He praised Martin for his 15 years of service in the road department.

According to Halstead, Martin was part of the most efficient road crew the township had in the last 17 years.

Martin agreed less road work will get done now.

“I don’t think the residents are going to be happy with this,” he said.

Martin stressed he should not have lost his job because Boyd doesn’t like him.

“We don’t have to get along,” Martin said.

He said Boyd should just talk to the roadmaster about any problem he has.

Martin was given a severance package that included two weeks pay in March and hospitalization coverage through April.

He said that money and temporary health insurance extension doesn’t make up for what happened.

“It was totally wrong as far as I am concerned,” Martin said.