Rockland Town Administrator's future still up in the air

ROCKLAND, Mass. — Rockland's Board of Selectmen deferred taking action against Town Administrator Allan Chiocca during Tuesday night's meeting.

"The Board of Selectmen has been advised by counsel that under the Rockland Town Charter, they cannot act with regard to any disciplinary action against Mr. Chiocca at this time. Section 2.18 of the Charter requires an affirmative vote of four (4) members to initiate action against the Town Administrator and the Board only had three (3) members present and able to vote on this matter," read a statement from the Board.

Board Chairman Larry Ryan, Vice Chairman Michael O'Loughlin and member Michael Mullen were present. Member Edward Kimball was a no show. He was expected at the meeting. The fifth member, Deidre Hall, resigned last Tuesday.

An independent investigation found Hall pressured Chiocca into an after-hours encounter at Town Hall.

During last Tuesday night’s Board meeting, town leaders publicly acknowledged the two engaged in sexual activity on the evening of May 1st.

“Mrs. Hall used her position as a member of the Board of Selectmen, who was actively reviewing and would soon be voting on his request for contract extension and salary increase, to pressure him into engaging in sexual activities with her,” said Regina Ryan of Discrimination and Harassment Solutions. The town hired Ryan to conduct the probe.

Hall resigned immediately.

Chiocca remains on paid administrative leave. He has been town administrator since 2008. In his absence, Rockland Police Chief John Llewellyn has been serving as acting town administrator. The board was set to meet in executive session Tuesday night to discuss Chiocca’s future with the town.

“While Mr. Chiocca was found to not have violated the town’s discriminatory harassment policy, other serious misconduct was identified in the investigation,” Town Counsel John Clifford during last Tuesday night's Board meeting.

O'Loughlin told Boston 25 News the Board will most likely not discuss Chiocca's status at the next meeting.

The Board is set to meet on July 31 and August 14.

Cox Media Group