The Woodstock Town Board voted 3-0 on Tuesday to fire a convicted sex offender hired earlier this year as a maintenance worker—capping weeks of turmoil that prompted a petition drive and calls for the resignation of Supervisor Bill McKenna.

Board members Bennet Ratcliff and Maria-Elena Conte seconded the motion introduced by their colleague, Anula Courtis, and voted yes. McKenna refused to vote, declaring the resolution illegal, while board member Laura Ricci abstained.

The resolution nullified the board’s March 11 and June 10 votes that had approved Michael Innello’s hiring—first as a part-time seasonal worker, then as a full-time laborer at $21.35 an hour. “We hereby rescind both prior resolutions and the employment of Michael Innello. This laborer is hereby terminated, effective immediately,” Courtis said during the meeting.

The resolution stated that “material information relevant to the hiring was not disclosed to the Town Board prior to its consideration and approval,” and that the omission “compromised the integrity of the hiring process.” It also noted Innello was unable to complete his probationary period and formally thanked him for his service.

Courtis said Wednesday that she, Ratcliff, and Conte would notify the town attorney, the Communications Workers of America union, and the town bookkeeper to finalize Innello’s termination.

The controversy first surfaced in early July, when the Daily Freeman reported that Town Board members had not been informed of Innello’s status as a registered sex offender. The Overlook’s reporting raised further questions about the town’s hiring process and McKenna’s role. Since then, more than 250 people have signed an online petition calling for Innello’s removal, while many others have criticized McKenna—first appointed in 2017 and now serving his fifth and final term—for failing to disclose the worker’s past.

McKenna has defended his decision to keep the board in the dark, telling The Overlook that he didn’t think Innello’s past was “pertinent” and that “it didn’t affect how he could do the job.” He hasn’t responded to 17 detailed questions submitted by the board, including when and how the position was posted, how Innello was recruited, and who conducted his background check.

Outrage Over Hiring Process

Innello, 31, was convicted in 2021 of sexually abusing an unconscious 23-year-old and possessing child pornography of an 11-year-old. He was convicted on Sept. 9, 2020, for crimes committed on Feb. 10 of that year. He served a five-year prison sentence and was paroled in December 2024. State law designates him a Level 3 offender, the highest risk of being a repeat offender and a threat to public safety, and he’s subject to lifelong registration and supervision.

Critics of the hire packed Tuesday’s board meeting, many expressing betrayal and fear. Woodstock resident and parent Robert Burke said he’s struggling to explain to his 11-year-old son why he can’t attend the town’s summer rec camp.

“It’s his favorite camp, but I am not sending him unless something changes,” Burke said. During public comment, he turned to McKenna and asked if he would tell his son why. “Bring him to the office,” McKenna replied.

Dahlia Boiardi, 18, a summer camp counselor and recent Onteora High School graduate, also addressed the board, saying Innello was near children at the camp even after McKenna told her in an email that he wasn’t actively around kids. Boiardi and counselor Denise Gordon, 18, said they saw Innello filling the camp’s swimming pool in late June—about 60 feet from children.

“I’m here because it’s concerning to me that the town supervisor thinks it’s okay to hire a Level 3 sex offender,” Bioardi said. “We’re a town of forgiveness, but also of rage.”

“[McKenna] hid this from people,” Gordon said. “It would have been good to know this sooner so we could feel safe.”

New York State doesn’t have laws restricting how close a registered sex offender can work to schools or places frequented by children, although Level 3 offenders can’t live within 1,000 feet of a school. It’s unclear where Innello lives. Other states, such as North Carolina, bar certain offenders from working within 300 feet of locations primarily intended for minors.

Woodstock Police Chief Clayton Keefe said officers are monitoring the situation closely and encouraged residents to report any concerns. “If someone sees him close to kids, they should call us,” Keefe said.

Residents and board members said the controversy revealed flaws in the town’s hiring process. Courtis said the board has already begun revising the procedures and plans to introduce a more robust human resources policy.

“This is gross negligence and acting in bad faith,” Ratcliff said. “The town board has acted in the way that it acts when it hires, and it has acted in the way when it terminates within the probationary period.”

Lily Korolkoff, a Democratic nominee for town board and a survivor of sexual assault, said, “this is not how you do second chances. You want to heal and you have to be honest about it.”

As of Friday morning, Innello remained on the town payroll. Supervisor McKenna did not indicate whether he will sign a report of personnel change form that stipulates the termination of Innello’s employment. McKenna did, however, say on Thursday that he has consulted with legal professionals and plans to release a statement in the coming days. The next board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12.

Noah Eckstein is the editor-in-chief of The Overlook. Send correspondence to noah@theoverlooknews.com.