WEST BOYLSTON — Town Administrator James Ryan was dismissed Monday after a dispute with Police Chief Dennis Minnich over the display of a Trump flag in the police station’s gym.
The West Boylston Select Board voted to fire Ryan in a closed-door session, a decision Ryan’s lawyer, John Clifford, said was inevitable.
“The outcome of this meeting was a foregone conclusion,” Attorney Clifford stated. “The Select Board simply acquiesced to Chief Minnich’s demand that James be fired and made it clear that the Chief will be able to enforce the law as he sees fit going forward.”
The controversy began when Ryan, who took office in January, asked Minnich to remove a Trump flag from the gym wall. Minnich complied, but a week later, Ryan learned that a flag was still on display. He contacted Minnich again and then sent an employee to verify its removal. Minnich later discovered that a second flag had been put up without his knowledge, causing the confusion. However, he was frustrated that Ryan had sent someone to check on him, according to The Boston Globe.
“He called my integrity into question, which irritates the H out of me, and I’m not going to put up with it,” Minnich said.
Minnich then filed a complaint with the Select Board, arguing that Ryan overstepped his authority.
Attorney Clifford claimed the chief escalated the situation through public and social media discussions.
“This controversy was created by Chief Dennis Minnich [when he] decided to litigate his complaints against Mr. Ryan in the press and on social media,” Attorney Clifford said.
Ryan acknowledged making mistakes as a new administrator but denied responsibility for the controversy.
“In tonight’s meeting, James expressed his sincere regret that he had any role in what became an embarrassment and distraction for the entire town,” Attorney Clifford said.
Ryan is now reviewing his options to challenge his termination, his attorney said.
