ROCKLAND, Mass. — Rockland Police were called to Town Hall Wednesday night for reports of Selectmen Edward Kimball harassing people collecting signatures in an attempt to recall him, Police Chief John Llewellyn confirmed to Boston 25 News.
Llewellyn said Kimball was not cited or charged.
Richard Penney is one of the residents leading the push to recall Kimball, who is tied up in a town hall sex scandal.
Penny told Boston 25 News he was taking to Kimball when police showed up.
“He wasn't harassing per se,” Penney said. “His wife was very emotional.”
READ: Rockland Police were called when Selectmen Ed Kimball showed up at Town Hall tonight as residents were collecting signatures in an effort to recall him https://t.co/IJr5tVpUOW #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/hdCOtA6zu7
— Mike Saccone (@mikesacconetv) July 26, 2018
The process to recall Kimball officially started Tuesday, when the first batch of signatures were turned into the Town Clerk Donna Shortall.
“I received initial petitions declaring the intention of 560 registered, certified voters to seek recall of Selectman Edward Kimball,” Shortall told Boston 25 News.
According to the affidavit from residents, they’re seeking to recall Kimball “for interference in the governing processes of the Town of Rockland with his disregard of Parliamentary procedures and violations of the Open Meeting Law.”
The next step in the process is the issuance of recall petitions, which will need to be signed by 15% of the total number of registered voters in town. Rockland has 12,016 registered voters, which means 1,802 signatures need to be gathered on the petitions.
The petition must be returned within 14 days, making the deadline Tuesday, August 7.
An investigation began in May when then-selectwoman Deidre Hall and Town Administrator Allan Chiocca accused each other of inappropriate behavior during an after-hours encounter at Town Hall on the evening of May 1st and early morning of May 2nd.
The town hired Discrimination and Harassment Solutions, LLC. to conduct an independent investigation.
The investigation found Hall pressured Chiocca into the late-night sexual encounter
“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 or Discrimination and Harassment Solutions
The report also found Hall and Kimball had been having an “intense physical and emotional affair” throughout March and April.
Earlier this week, Boston 25 News reported the investigation has already cost taxpayers more than $40,000.
Hall’s resignation was announced the night the report was released, July 10.
Chiocca remains on paid administrative leave. The town charter mandates no action can be taken against a town administrator without the vote of at least four board members. Right now, only 3 board members are eligible to vote. Kimball will have to recuse himself because of his involvement in the scandal. Hall’s seat remains vacant.
A group of about 50 residents are collecting signatures for the recall effort.
Penney said more than 300 signatures were gathered Tuesday.
“There was good activity,” he said.
A group of residents will also be collecting signatures Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Hall and Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the Farmers Market at Town Hall. Signatures will be collected in front of Town Hall on Saturday as well, but residents will also be going door-to-door throughout town.
If all the required signatures are collected before August 7 and certified by Shortall, she will then submit a certificate to the selectmen. The board would then give written notice to Kimball, who then has five days to resign. If he chooses not to resign, a recall election will be held between 60 and 90 days from the date on the certificate issued by Shortall.
Boston 25 News reached out to Kimball Wednesday night for comment.
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