Montville Pays McNally $135,000 in Settlement Over Firing

The Town of Montville has settled a lawsuit brought by former employee Tom McNally and while the town doesn’t concede it’s in the wrong, it’s paying him $135,000 “for a full release of any pending or future claims.”

McNally, who was will now have a record that states he resigned, per the settlement documents obtained by Montville Patch through the Freedom of Information Act.  

The settlement also states McNally will receive one lump sum payment, minus taxes as if it was a payroll check, and his attorney will get $35,000 in fees. The payment is supposed to be made by March 2.

McNally filed suit against Montville, McDaniel, the WPCA and Brian Lynch, Tim May, Jon Lilly, and Mike Didato alleging he was wrongfully fired for “exercising his rights of free speech.”

Also part of the settlement is the clause that prohibits McNally from seeking rehire with the town, the WPCA or the Board of Education for five years. But it doesn’t preclude him for running for office.

McNally announced last month that he is leaving his seat on the BOE as secretary and is running for Montville Town Council.

Neither the town nor McNally have commented on the settlement. 

Read more about the history of the McNally case.