WESTBROOK – The Westbrook City Council gave final approval on Monday to settlement agreements the city made with two female firefighters who sued the city on charges they were sexually harassed and discriminated against at the Westbrook Fire Department.

Firefighters Lisa Theberge and Kathy Rogers will receive a total of more than $846,000 between them in the two separate settlement agreements.

The payments to the two women, who made their claims two years ago and subsequently filed state and federal lawsuits against the city, will be for lost compensation such as overtime and sick time, damages, attorney’s fees and other costs. In exchange, the firefighters will drop their legal claims against the city.

The council on Aug. 30 gave preliminary approval to the agreements. Councilors took a second, final vote on the agreements on Monday, Sept. 13.

Of the total payment to settle the claims of the two women, the city of Westbrook will be responsible for nearly $228,000 or about 27 percent. The city’s insurance carrier, the Maine Municipal Association, will cover the remainder, which is about $619,000 or 73 percent.

The city already has paid a deductible of $20,000 – $10,000 apiece – for the two women’s claims.

In September 2008, the two firefighters were put on paid administrative leave due to what they said was a hostile work environment at the fire department.

Theberge returned to work this June. Rogers is still on paid leave. She will remain on paid leave until she retires this fall, according to her settlement agreement.