Signal Mountain reaches agreement with outgoing city manager

Matt Trollinger watches as Signal Mountain City Council approves separation of settlement paths

The Signal Mountain City Council has reached an agreement with outgoing City Manager Matt Trollinger.

At an abbreviated meeting Friday afternoon, the council voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

The terms include the resignation of Mr. Trollinger, who was previously the city manager of Somerset, Maryland.

In return, he will receive severance pay including

– Payment of three months and eight days’ basic salary less applicable deductions shall be paid in one lump sum no later than next Tuesday.

– Employer’s COBRA share of his health and dental insurance through January 31, 2025. If he finds another job with benefits, then the new plan will take effect.

Neither party should speak ill of the other.

Gail Green told the council that citizens did not know why the initial action was taken against the short-lived city manager at the Oct. 4 meeting. She said there was no live broadcast and “no minutes, no.”

She said some residents feel the city is “taking advantage of this man and his family, and it’s not right.”

Sitting next to Mr. Trollinger in the front row were his wife and newborn child.

Ms. Greene said, “Why do we have so many city managers changing over?”

John Coolidge said he understood there was an issue with Mr. Trollinger taking paternity leave after his wife gave birth to their first child and not signing certain documents.

He said, “If Matt Justice was the acting city manager, why couldn’t he sign the papers?”