WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The police officer who accused the Police Department of sexual harassment and racism has retired, ending a year of tumult that saw the departure of both the town manager and police chief.
Sgt. Scott McGowan retired as of Oct. 31, according to a statement issued by his attorney David A. Russcol, a partner of Zalkind, Duncan and Bernstein of Boston.
"Sgt. McGowan came to believe that continuing the legal disputes with the town of Williamstown would not be in anyone's best interests," said Russcol. "He intends to dismiss his recent retaliation complaint at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, as those issues have been resolved to his satisfaction and that of the town."
Interim Town Manager Charles Blanchard said he could only confirm that as of Oct. 31, McGowan was no longer a member of the Williamstown Police Department. He added that town would issue a statement on this next week.
McGowan had recently filed a second complaint with MCAD, alleging that he was placed on administrative leave last winter as retaliation for allegations he raised in a 2019 MCAD complaint and subsequent federal lawsuit against the town, the former town manager and the former police chief.
Meanwhile, the town had three times in the past month scheduled a disciplinary hearing for McGowan, who then exercised his right to have the hearing held in public. The latest date scheduled for the hearing was Nov. 16.
During this period, the Select Board held two executive sessions related to litigation regarding police.
The town's annus horribilis began in August 2020 when McGowan filed suit in federal court alleging three counts of discrimination and retaliation for bringing misconduct in the force to light and naming then Town Manager Jason Hoch and Police Chief Kyle Johnson.
The Select Board was caught off-guard by the federal suit and had been unaware of the MCAD complaint, in which McGowan alleged the town denied him a promotion to lieutenant because he blew the whistle on various incidents of sexual misconduct and racist behavior in the Police Department.
Those incidents, some of which went undenied by the town in court filings, sparked a community conversation about conduct in the department and ultimately led to the departure of the former chief and town manager.
In March, McGowan was placed on paid administrative leave for investigation into an "employee complaint." Hoch, who was still town manager at the time, said the leave was not disciplinary.
Russcol said the sergeant had informed Blanchard last week on his intent to retire from the department, in which he has served since 2002.
McGowan's retirement would seem to close a chapter on a year of turmoil that has led the town to consider its police practices, but town has still not fully recovered. It's back to square one in trying to find a permanent town manager after a failed search last month, and will have to find a temporary manager as Blanchard will be leaving next month. The lack of a town manager has also put off the search for a new police chief.
Russcol's full statement is below:
Late last week, Sergeant Scott McGowan informed Williamstown Interim Town Manager Charles Blanchard of his retirement from the Williamstown Police Department, effective October 31, 2021. Sgt. McGowan came to believe that continuing the legal disputes with the Town of Williamstown would not be in anyone’s best interests. He intends to dismiss his recent retaliation complaint at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, as those issues have been resolved to his satisfaction and that of the Town.
In 20 years of service to the Town of Williamstown Police Department (14 years as the department investigator), Sgt. McGowan has been a dedicated law enforcement officer and civil servant. Sgt. McGowan was responsible for the successful investigation of serious crimes against individuals and helping to deliver appropriate justice. These incidents ranged from significant larcenies to the heinous crimes of sexual assault and rape, which at times targeted our most vulnerable populations, children and the elderly.
Because of Sgt. McGowan's thoroughness and fairness, he earned the respect of prosecutors in the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office. Sgt. McGowan further earned the admiration of defense counsel, too, as Sgt. McGowan understood that it was equally essential in an investigation to exonerate the innocent. This admiration was most evident when two prosecutors and two criminal defense attorneys provided letters of recommendation for Sgt. McGowan's promotion to the rank of lieutenant in 2019.
Sgt. McGowan is delighted to move ahead with his many future career opportunities. Despite this, Sgt. McGowan does have one foremost sadness leaving law enforcement, and that is the permanent bond he formed with the many survivors of serious crimes that remains unbroken today. Sgt. McGowan understood law enforcement was more than stopping a car for speeding, and real police work was truly helping individuals who were victimized get justice.
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Williamstown, Five Other County Towns Receive Seasonal Community Grants
Staff Reports
BOSTON, Mass. — Five months after Williamstown's town meeting opted into the commonwealth's Seasonal Communities program, the town has received its first grant from the state under the program.
Gov. Maura Healey Tuesday announced nearly $2 million in Seasonal Community Grants to help all 24 municipalities in the program statewide.
The funding helps communities advance housing projects with the potential to support 594 year-round homes, including affordable housing developments, infrastructure improvements and planning efforts that will help unlock future housing opportunities.
"From the Berkshires to Cape Cod and the Islands, our seasonal communities are an important part of what makes Massachusetts special," Healey in a news release. "But we know these communities face unique challenges, especially when it comes to housing for the people who live and work there year-round. That's why we created the Seasonal Communities designation and are backing it up with funding to help local leaders build more homes, support their workforce and keep their communities strong for generations to come."
That list of awardees includes six Berkshire County towns:
• Egremont — $60,687 to support septic and well construction for Phase II of Town Hall Housing, adding affordable housing units (20 units).
• Great Barrington — $84,731 to conduct a housing needs study, develop a Housing Production Plan and support the design and engineering of roadway and streetscape improvements near Reed Street and Main Street.
The park on Stetson Road “officially” opened with a ribbon cutting a little after 2 p.m., two hours after attendees started using their skateboards, bicycles, scooters and rollerblades at the Max Rothschild Memorial Skatepark. click for more
The single-vehicle accident left the operator of the motorcycle with, "serious injuries to his head, face and upper body," according to a news release from the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office. click for more
The town's two art museums were, collectively, before three town land-use boards over the last two weeks for approvals of an expansion and signage. click for more
Gabe Thomas carded an even par round of 71 at Stockbridge Golf Club Monday to finish two shots clear of the field and claim the first county individual championship for the McCann Tech golf team. click for more
Owners and friends Michelle Marrocco and Tiffany Boyden opened Pup Place last month at 895 Simonds Road, the former location of a martial arts studio.
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