BRENTWOOD – Karen Clement, who was placed on paid administrative leave last month, is no longer an employee of the city of Brentwood. She has been city manager since 2015.

The Select Board announced Tuesday in a message on the city’s website that Clement is no longer employed.

“The board would like to thank Karen for her many years of good work for the city and wish her the best in her future endeavors,” the announcement said.

Clement was placed on leave at the same time as the chief of police

The board announced on Oct. 10 that Clement and Police Chief John Ventura had both been placed on paid leave.

The announcement came after a non-public emergency meeting of the city’s municipal council on October 9 at noon at the city offices. At the time, board members declined to comment on why Clement and Ventura were placed on leave, citing it was a “personnel matter.”

The board was asked to comment on Clement’s departure during its regular meeting on Tuesday, including whether she resigned or was fired.

“We’re not going to release that information because it’s private personnel information,” said jury chairwoman Jennifer Jones. “We do not release that information about any of our employees under any circumstances. What I can tell you is that Miss Clement no longer works for the city.”

Jones did not comment on whether Clement received severance pay.

“I’m not going to share any details about her departure,” Jones said.

Jones confirmed Tuesday that Ventura is still on paid leave. Ventura joined the Brentwood Police Department in 2022.

“We will notify the public if there is a resolution to that,” Jones said.

Brentwood Police Lt. Justin Doty was the officer in charge during the chief’s leave.

Jones told the public Tuesday that the city plans to replace Clement. The board replaces Clement together with administrative employee Jillian Benedix.

“We’d all like to have a city manager, I can tell you that,” Jones said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Brentwood city manager out: Police chief still on paid leave