The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has parted ways with its longtime treasurer and handed the town’s top financial job to his deputy.
Council appointed Nick Alaimo as treasurer Tuesday, replacing Kyle Freeborn, who was fired after more than 14 years with the municipality. Alaimo’s appointment takes effect immediately.
Freeborn’s portfolio also included corporate services. A town official said Lauren Kruitbosch, the director of organizational performance, strategy and transformation, will fill that position temporarily.
Alaimo, who like Freeborn is an accountant, had been manager of finance and deputy treasurer since 2017, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He worked for the Town of Pelham as an accountant from 2013 to 2017 and held junior positions with Niagara Region from 2010 to 2013.
A source told The Lake Report that Freeborn was let go without cause.
The move is the first major change in the town bureaucracy since Nick Ruller, a former councillor and town fire chief, took over as chief administrator last year.
Given the circumstances and his long tenure with the town, Freeborn is expected to receive a hefty severance. According to the Ontario “sunshine list,” he was paid just over $157,000 in 2025.
Another source said council was informed ahead of Tuesday’s meeting that Freeborn was “no longer with us.”
The town has not publicly explained his departure, citing confidentiality regarding personnel issues. Several town officials contacted by The Lake Report declined to speak on the record about the firing.
Freeborn joined the town as deputy treasurer in January 2012, according to his LinkedIn profile.
In 2017 he was named manager of finance and treasurer. He had been director of corporate services and treasurer since October 2019.
He was still authoring reports and publicly addressing council as treasurer in mid-June, including on a bid for $3 million in provincial infrastructure funding and the town’s $13-million annual infrastructure gap.
One councillor said Freeborn commuted to NOTL from Mississauga and was well-liked at town hall, while describing Alaimo as a strong fit for the job who knows the town well.
