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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SVHC President Dee Announces Retirement
BENNINGTON, Vt. — Thomas A. Dee is retiring this year after 16 years at the helm of Southwestern Vermont Health Care.
The CEO and president of the health care system said he plans to retire at the end of 2025 and a search committee has been formed to seek his replacement.
"It is with mixed emotions that I take this next step in my life," Dee said. "After 45 years in healthcare leadership, I can honestly say that my time at Southwestern Vermont Health Care has been some of the most formative, fulfilling and, at times, humbling work in my career. SVHC has an amazing team of individuals, who care deeply about the patients and families we serve."
Tom Green, chair of the Board of Trustees will co-chair the executive search committee, along with other key leaders at SVHC and Dartmouth Health.
"Tom Dee's extraordinary leadership has been transformative and has catapulted our community hospital into one with a statewide and national spotlight that has five consecutive recognitions as a Magnet Hospital for Nursing Excellence and the American Hospital Association's Rural Hospital Leadership Award," said Green. "He has always taken a hands-on approach to enhancing patient care and experience, while consistently supporting the superb providers, nurses and staff that make it all possible. While Tom leaves big shoes to fill, he has built a highly talented leadership team and is leaving SVHC in a strong position for our next leader."
Dee led SVHC through its initial affiliation with what was then known as Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health in 2012, and the integration with the Dartmouth Health system in 2023. He also guided Southwestern Vermont Medical Center through massive transformations, including the building of the new emergency department and front entrance, as well as impending plans for a new cancer center and an inpatient adolescent mental health unit. He has also played a key role in economic development in Bennington, specifically with the redevelopment plans for the former Southern Vermont College campus and the downtown Putnam project.
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