A Massachusetts town administrator, James Ryan, was recently voted out of office after he called for a Donald Trump flag to be removed from a local police station. Ryan had noticed the flag during a tour of the station and asked the police chief to remove it, sparking controversy. The police chief considered the flag to be a security violation, leading to a strained relationship between him and Ryan. Despite Ryan’s assertion that he was simply enforcing bylaws prohibiting signage on public buildings, the Select Board voted 4-1 to terminate his employment contract. Ryan’s lawyer indicated that his client sought to handle the situation impartially without political bias, and Ryan is planning to respond to his termination with a lawsuit. The town’s population of approximately 8,000 people largely supported Democratic nominees in the 2024 election, with a significant margin over Trump. Despite the controversy, Ryan expressed a willingness to work with all partners to ensure the town receives necessary support and federal funds. The Independent reached out to the West Boylston Select Board and Ryan’s lawyer for comment on the situation.
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