RUMFORD – The River Valley Growth Council on Wednesday granted its executive director, Joseph Derouche, two more weeks of unpaid leave and permission for additional unpaid weeks if necessary.
Derouche, for whom the River Valley Technology Center was named because of the critical role he played in its creation, has been battling multiple sclerosis for years.
At a special meeting two weeks ago, the council granted Derouche two weeks of unpaid leave because he had used up his allowed sick and vacation time.
Derouche was hired as the council’s executive director despite his illness. He began his new job on Feb. 1 after resigning as Mexico town manager on Dec. 31 because of ill health.
“Under the situation with his health, it’s only fair to hold the job open for him,” Dick Lovejoy, growth council spokesman and acting board president, said Wednesday.
“Our organization is working hard to fill in for him in his absence. We are hopeful he’ll be able to come back,” Lovejoy said.
Derouche served as the growth council president for 12 years and as Mexico town manager for a decade. When he left the town’s employ, selectmen granted him four weeks of vacation and paid health insurance through June 2005.
Lovejoy said the personnel committee meets on a regular basis to discuss what is right for the growth council and for Derouche. “If not for all the things he has done in this area, we wouldn’t be here,” he said.
Rosie Bradley, assistant executive director, will continue to perform the duties of the executive director.
Derouche was hired at an annual salary of $40,000. His contract expires June 30. On June 15, the personnel committee will review Derouche’s performance, according to Lovejoy.
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