Updated

Updated · Boston 25 News · Oct 30

Middleton Board Votes 4-0 to End Police Chief's Contract Amid Discrimination Suit

Updated

Updated · Boston 25 News · Oct 30

Middleton Board Votes 4-0 to End Police Chief's Contract Amid Discrimination Suit

Q: Why did Middleton’s board end its police chief’s job in 2027 while his disability discrimination lawsuit against the town is still pending?

Middleton’s board ended Chief William Sampson’s job effective June 30, 2027 because it said his leadership had become untenable, citing a breakdown in communication and what town attorneys called “an apathy in the execution of his duties.” The vote followed a public hearing required under the town charter and came after the board had already decided in executive session not to renew his contract extension. The pending disability discrimination lawsuit did not prevent the board from acting on his contract. Sampson’s case challenges the town’s motives and process, alleging he was pushed out after returning from injured-on-duty leave and was told to resign or accept a disciplinary performance improvement plan that gave Town Administrator Justin Sultzbach broad power to judge him and seek his termination. Sampson also claims the town failed to follow its own procedures and retaliated against him after he raised discrimination concerns. Town officials and Sampson are offering sharply different explanations. The town says the dispute is about performance, communication, and management concerns. Sampson’s lawyer says he had never been formally disciplined or told he was under investigation and argues the hearing and termination effort were pre-decided. So the board’s action and the lawsuit are moving on separate tracks: the board exercised its authority over his contract, while the court will decide whether that conduct was discriminatory, retaliatory, or otherwise unlawful.

3 articles · Updated · Boston 25 News · Oct 30

Middleton's Select Board voted unanimously to end Police Chief William Sampson's employment when his contract expires on June 30, 2027.
Sampson, chief since 2021, is suing the town for disability discrimination after alleging he was told to resign or accept a disciplinary improvement plan a week after returning from an on-duty injury leave.
At a hearing earlier this week, the town argued there was a communication breakdown and "apathy in the execution of his duties," while Sampson's lawyer said he had never previously been disciplined or told he was under investigation.
The lawsuit remains pending in court, and the town has not commented on the case.