ROCKLAND, Mass. — The husband of the former Rockland selectwoman at the center of the town hall sex scandal is running to fill the seat his wife left vacant when she resigned.
Rockland Town Clerk Donna Shortall told Boston 25 News Christopher Hall has pulled papers to run for both open selectmen seats. Hall is married to former selectmen vice-chair Deidre Hall.
Shortall said the town checked with the state and found a candidate can take out nomination papers for both seats. The candidate can collect and submit signatures for both seats, but they have to withdraw from one of the races by October 2.
October 2 is the last day for any candidate to withdraw because the ballots will then be printed. If a candidate hasn’t withdrawn from one of the races by then, they’re left off the ballot altogether as a candidate can’t run for two positions.
Richard Penney also pulled papers for the seat with a five-month term, which was previously held by Edward Kimball.
James Simpson and Jared Valanzola have pulled papers for the seat with a one-year and five-month term, which was previously held by Deidre Hall.
Boston 25 News was first to break news of the sex scandal in May.
The town hired Discrimination and Harassment Solutions, LLC. to conduct an independent investigation after 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 into the early morning of May 2nd.
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.
Hall’s resigned July 10.
Kimball resigned on July 31 amid a recall effort by residents.
Chiocca has been on paid administrative leave since May 29. The town charter mandates no action can be taken against a town administrator without the vote of at least four board members. Right now, the board consists of Chairman Larry Ryan, Vice Chairman Michael O’Loughlin and Michael Mullen. Boston 25 News reviewed Chiocca’s contact and calculated he has been paid more than $32,000 while on leave.
Candidates have until Friday, September 14 to pull papers to run for the two vacant selectmen seats. The papers must be returned by Monday, September 17.
The election will be held on Tuesday, November 6 with the state election. There will be two separate ballots. Voters will have the option of voting in the town election and/or the state election.
Boston 25 News reached out to Christopher Hall by phone and on Facebook for comment.
Why are you running for selectman? The need to for open and transparent leadership is more important than ever. My experience with several boards including Finance and School Building the past 10 years have been examples of boards which have functioned transparently and presented all the facts to the townspeople, so they could make their own informed decisions on what was best for them personally as well as the town. This needs to become how the BOS functions. It should be for the townspeople, not for any individual's own agenda.
What is your platform? Transparency and Integrity
I'm running for the Rockland Board of Selectmen to get our town back to the people's business and moving in the right direction. As a lifelong Rockland resident, I've been dismayed by the recent headlines, but that's not the Rockland we know.
Now, more than ever, we need someone who has demonstrated their ability to work together towards our common goal of making Rockland a better place to live, work, and raise a family. And I'm that candidate.
From my previous time working in the MA state senate and chairing the town Charter Committee, to my present work on the school building committee and planning board, I'm uniquely positioned to hit the ground running once elected and work with other board members to get back to doing the right thing for Rockland.
We saw a lack of judgment and humility from many in positions of trust in Rockland over the last several months. There are many who can attest to my humble nature and ability to grow and learn from mistakes. This is the type of person we need, now more than ever, on the board of selectmen.
With so many great people in place at town hall and across all departments, as well as a great group of volunteers across all boards and committees, it's important to elect someone who will continue to encourage the fantastic and professional level of services our departments are providing and will also be able to collaboratively work with volunteers on important issues such as downtown redevelopment, Union Point, and the potential school building project.
I'm asking for your vote on November 6.
Boston 25 News reached out to Christopher Hall and James Simpson, but we've not yet heard back.
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