Stoughton town manager Tom Calter and Police Chief Donna McNamara have been placed on paid leave by the select board pending an investigation.
The board placed both on leave after an executive session Wednesday night.
The action comes three weeks after Calter placed McNamara on leave for an unspecific complaint.
It created a firestorm in town where residents rallied in support of the chief and the firefighters’ union issuing a statement saying their members have been subjected to the same intimidation tactics by Calter as McNamara alleges to have experienced. The firefighters’ union has a pending complaint against Calter with the state labor board.
McNamara has filed a discrimination and harassment lawsuit against Calter and the town.
In a press release today from McNamara’s attorney Leah Barrault, a motion seeking an injunction ordering the Town to take action regarding her employment that was scheduled to be heard in court Friday, has been withdrawn due to Select Board’s ruling.
Following Wednesday night’s closed-door session, select board chair Joseph Mokrisky read a statement saying that a fair and impartial independent review will be conducted of the complaints against the police chief and town manager.
The statement was met with jeers from residents in the packed meeting room with some calling for a recall of the select board.
McNamara told reporters after the meeting that she was disappointed with the select board’s decision and expressed appreciation for her supporters.
WATD news has reached out several times to Calter for comment but we have not heard back.
Meanwhile, the select board appointed Marc Tisdale as acting town manager. He has been serving as assistant town manager and town engineer for the past 15 years.