Rumor of Sexual Relationship by Town Administrator Prompts Investigation into Massachusetts Chief

A Massachusetts town is investigating comments attributed to a ranking fire officer who reportedly suggested that the town administrator received a substantial pay raise because she had a sexual relationship with the chairman of the town’s Board of Selectmen.

The rumor involved a $31,000 pay raise granted to Mendon Town Administrator Kimberly Newman by the town’s Board of Selectman. In January, the town’s attorney, Michael J. Maccaro, said that town employees had reported that Assistant Fire Chief Mike Zarella had suggested that the reason for the raise was that Newman had a sexual relationship with Mark Reil, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

According to the selectmen, the increase was to help dissuade Newman from leaving the town for a different job she had been offered.

On January 20, 2016 the Board of Selectmen met to discuss the accusations in executive session, but Chief Zarella objected that he was never informed beforehand about the allegations and demanded that the meeting be held in public. That move prompted a lengthy discussion over the proper process to follow.

Chief Zarella has denied starting the rumor claiming it was already in existence. He is president of IAFF Local 4936, and reportedly was seeking a copy of Newman’s new contract when the comments were attributed to him.

The investigation is expected to be completed in two weeks.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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