Hopkinton voters approve nonbinding resolution to bring back police Sgt. Brennan

Tom Benoit, The MetroWest Daily News
·2 min read

HOPKINTON — Supporters of fired police Sgt. Timothy Brennan earned a symbolic victory during last week's Special Town Meeting, as voters convincingly approved a resolution asking the Select Board to reappoint Brennan to his post.

Brennan was fired earlier this year after knowing, but not reporting, sexual assault allegations against now-retired Deputy Police Chief John "Jay" Porter.

The resolution was brought to Town Meeting via citizens petition, passing in a 220-99 vote. Because the resolution is nonbinding, Select Board members need not act on it. The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for May 21 — the day after the town's annual election, during which two new Select Board members will be elected.

Then-Hopkinton police Sgt. Timothy Brennan, center, is shown with attorneys Elizabeth Keeley and Daniel Fogarty in January.
Then-Hopkinton police Sgt. Timothy Brennan, center, is shown with attorneys Elizabeth Keeley and Daniel Fogarty in January.

4-1 Select Board vote: Hopkinton fires sergeant for not reporting sexual assaults

Brennan was fired by the Select Board in a 4-1 decision in February, with Chair Muriel Kramer dissenting. Brennan's termination was recommended by Police Chief Joseph Bennett.

Incidents surrounding the town's investigation into Brennan's knowledge of the alleged assaults and his subsequent firing have caused controversy among residents.

Hopkinton gets two new Select Board members after May 20 election

Some residents started efforts to recall Hopkinton's Select Board members; however, those efforts appear to have faltered. Recalling a board member would require signatures from 10% of all registered voters, with at least 200 from each of the town's five voting precincts.

Change is coming nevertheless. Two current Select Board members, Kramer and Irfan Nasrullah, have elected to not seek re-election. Four candidates — Joseph Clark, Brian Herr, Kyla McSweeney and Peter Mimmo — will square off to replace them.

Interim Town Manager Elaine Lazarus did not respond to requests for comment on the citizens petition.

Porter is currently awaiting trial facing three counts of child rape after being accused of sexually assaulting the woman when she was 14 years old in 2004 and 2005, when he was the department's school resource officer. He has plead not guilty to the charges, with a trial expected to begin in December.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Hopkinton voters approve resolution to bring back police Sgt. Brennan