Rockland voters start petition to oust selectman after town hall scandal

ROCKLAND, Mass. — Rockland voters launched a petition drive to oust a selectman they accuse of lying to investigators about a town hall sex scandal.

Residents turned their outrage into action on Saturday, calling for change with Edward Kimball's position.

Kimball is embroiled in a town hall scandal involving a sexual encounter between two town officials.

An investigation concluded that, on the night of May 1, then-board member Deirdre Hall engaged in a sexual act with Alan Chiocca, the town administrator, inside of town hall.

"What this gentleman did on the board is unforgivable," former selectman Lou Valanzola said about Kimball. "With Mr. Kimball, what he did, really to me, he lied. There was an obstruction of justice, he tried to interfere with the whole investigation."

The report was released at a town meeting last Wednesday, leading Hall to resign, and the board to remove Kimball as its chairman after board members claimed he lied to them.

>>RELATED: Investigation: Selectwoman pressured town administrator into 'sexual activities'

"I have no intention of resigning," Kimball said at the meeting. "I plan on completing my term. My term is up in April.

Organizers are hoping their signatures can create change, needing just 500 signatures to kick off the recall process.

"The town of Rockland deserves better," Caryn Stevens said.

The signature drive won't result in a recall vote on its own, with a subsequent petition needed to start the voting process.

However, organizers are hoping it doesn't get that far, and hope Kimball gets the message.

"If Mr. Kimball really cared about the town, he'd do the right thing and resign so the town can get on with the business," Valanzola said.

Cox Media Group