During a regular monthly meeting of the commissioners Wednesday, Chairman Aaron Haley told a group of about 15 concerned residents that Massaro has the legal option of closing the hearing to the public.
Haley described tonight’s session at Fire Department headquarters on Admiral Street as "a hearing related to a termination process."
Haley said Massaro has three options: a basic retirement, a disability retirement if the board’s doctor certifies he is disabled, or termination, if the board determines the allegations are true.
When asked whether he uttered racist epithets, Massaro has said, "I don’t recall ever having a conversation like that." He did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.
Massaro has been on paid administrative leave since returning from vacation two weeks ago. He claimed in an accident report that he suffered a stress-related injury due in part to the allegations about racist comments.
Margaret Krzeminski, one of the residents who questioned Haley about Massaro, said, "It’s a political hot potato … Anybody else would’ve been fired right off the bat."
But Haley said the board has to follow legal procedures or face court action.
Randall Beach |
