Stoughton Town Manager Thomas Calter released a statement Tuesday after the town’s firefighter and public works unions voted no confidence in him during an ongoing fight over the manager’s handling of the police chief’s job removal.
Calter and Police Chief Donna McNamara were both placed on paid administrative leave last month pending the outcome of an independent investigation after the two exchanged accusations, and McNamara filed a harassment lawsuit.
McNamara’s complaint filed in Norfolk Superior Court accuses Calter of discriminating against her and interfering with her efforts to lead the department because she’s a woman. She also accused Calter of harassment by contacting her virtually every day during a two-week period in July.
One of McNamara’s claims is that Calter ordered her to destroy a report about a second internal affairs investigation about the agency’s involvement with Sandra Birchmore, a 23-year-old pregnant woman and former participant in a department youth program who was found dead in her Canton apartment in 2021.
In the statement, Calter was adamant that he was not involved with the investigation into Birchmore’s death.
“I want to begin by expressing my deepest condolences to Sandra Birchmore’s family,” Calter said in the statement. “I have always been committed to supporting a full, thorough, and transparent investigation into Sandra’s death, and I remain committed to ensuring that the facts are fully brought to light.”
Calter continued with emphasis, “I want to be unequivocal on one point: I did not ask Chief McNamara to destroy, alter, suppress, or otherwise interfere with any investigation or investigative report concerning Sandra Birchmore. I would never make such a request.”
Calter said he has maintained his silence at the town’s request, as the investigation remains ongoing.
McNamara’s lawsuit said she’s been away from the Stoughton Police Department since July 7 when she was instructed to go home during a meeting with Calter, who she said told her to resign or face immediate termination.
In his statement, Calter said McNamara “was not given any ultimatum or demand to consider” following the July 7 meeting.
Calter called the harassment allegations “baseless,” as he had no communication with McNamara since July 7. He said the only subsequent contact was a text message “intended solely to coordinate attorneys’ schedules,” which was approved by a town lawyer.
Calter said McNamara was not placed on leave because she filed a harassment complaint against him. The complaint was filed 16 days after she was placed on leave, he said.
Calter expressed disappointment in the no confidence vote by members of Stoughton’s fire and public works unions, which was reported by WCVB-TV.
“While I respect the right of employees and their representatives to express their views, I stand firmly by the work I have done and the progress we have made during my four years serving the Town of Stoughton,” Calter said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and remain confident in the record of my tenure as Town Manager.”
Calter said he is fully cooperating with the town’s investigation, and he remains “confident that a complete and impartial investigation will establish the facts and resolve these allegations.”
Lauren Albano can be reached at lauren.albano@globe.com. Follow her on X @LaurenAlbano_.