NORWICH – Following the resignation of the City of Norwich's former acting DPW chief, Council President and Ward 1 Alderman Matthew Caldwell clarified the board's position Monday and said the process of investigating the issue was done by-the-book.

“I think we were very thorough, unbelievably thorough, exactly the way we should have done it,” said Caldwell of the process investigating former acting DPW supervisor George Carnrike, Jr. “I think we hired the right people to help us out, experts and professionals who know how this is exactly done.”

Caldwell said the board does not release details of investigations as a general rule of respect to employees. He said Carnrike's investigation was treated like every other investigation.

“Unless there is an exceptional reason, as a general rule it is not good practice to discuss those things, both for the city and the employees,” he said.

The common council accepted the resignation of the former acting superintendent of public works, Tuesday, over the objections of Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike.

George Carnrike is the brother of the mayor.

Caldwell said the board was right to accept the resignation, “There are times we look back and you ask, 'Did we do the right thing?' I would say we absolutely did. That's my opinion.”

The city has never offered an explanation as to why the superintendent was placed on paid administrative leave on June 12.