The Boston Landmarks Commission is in chaos following the firing of its director due to a semi-public letter accusing the mayor of circumventing its authority and even the law itself.

Executive director Rosanne Foley was apparently fired on April 19, ten days after a letter signed by every commissioner was sent to every city councilor and a variety of historic preservation stakeholders.

That letter accused Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration of playing fast and loose with the law in six specific cases, including the renovation of White Stadium, the proposed landmark designation of City Hall and the mysterious removal of Hotel Buckminster from its original voting date.

The commission claims jurisdiction over the entirety of the White Stadium, but was only given half of the proposed changes to review. The other half, that belonging to Boston Public Schools, was withheld, which the commission says legally precludes the Inspectional Services Department from issuing permits until the totality is reviewed.

City Hall is currently undergoing the landmark designation process, and the commission accuses executive officials of inserting themselves into the commission’s decision-making at almost every level.

“The city has for months impeded commission staff by stipulating what should and should not be included in a study report, the backbone of any designation,” commissioners said. “Administrators have directed when and how the process would proceed, requiring commission staff to solicit and coordinate input with them. They directed staff to not place the item on an agenda, and to make changes to the report. This process should have followed the commission’s standard practice as prescribed by legislation, not stipulated through the City Hall’s chain of command.”

The letter also sheds light on the highly irregular designation process for the Buckminster Hotel, which was initially slated for a vote in July. It abruptly vanished from the schedule, however, delaying approval until a month later following substantial public criticism from civic groups.

The mayor’s office pointedly refused to answer or allow commissioners to answer any questions about how that decision was made or legally justified. The Boston Preservation Alliance (BPA) said it came from Mike Firestone, Boston’s newly created chief of policy, who called them the day before to announce the move.

The commissioners’ letter confirms that the order came from city hall and repeats an unverified rumor that it was made at the behest of property owner IQHQ.

“That designation came only after public outcry,” wrote the commission. “The city lacks the authority to pull any item from the commission’s agenda or insert itself in the landmark designation process. Any landmark designation is subject to mayoral approval, which can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Boston City Council. Those approval and veto rights should be sufficient for the city to support the commission’s standard procedures.”

Commissioners accuse the city of regularly ignoring Article 85 to issue demolition permits without waiting the required period for alternatives to be explored, particularly in the North End.

They also say the city has failed to properly appoint members to the smaller historic district commissions, leaving some like the Fort Point and South End Landmark Districts without quorum and unable to execute their duties.

Now the commission’s executive director has been fired. The blow comes as her direct superior Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Boston’s chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space steps down as planned for some time.

Alison Frazee, executive director of the BPA, didn’t have comment on the personnel changes, but did echo every issue brought up in the commissioners’ letter.

“We have a process in place that’s very transparent and public, and that legally is required to be followed. I’ve been trying to be at the table for these discussions, but it’s been really hard to get traction with the administration,” she said. “We eagerly await a response from the administration and look forward to collaborating on solutions.”