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To the Editor:
The Board of County Commissioners for the County of Norfolk (“Board”) is writing to bring to your attention false information contained in an article published in the Franklin Observer on July 18, 2026 entitled Norfolk County Register Again Claims Court Win.
Specifically, the article claims that “The key result is that there was a court order mandating the promotions that had been denied to the two Registry employees since October of 2025 by the Norfolk County Commissioners.” In truth, there was no court order mandating the promotions. Rather, the County and the Register of Deeds, William P. O’Donnell, (“Register”) entered into a settlement and filed a Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice with the Superior Court on July 16, 2026. Thus, the Register’s claim that he “Won” the lawsuit is patently false.
By way of background, the Register filed his lawsuit in October 2025 after he failed to follow the hiring procedures in the County’s Employee Handbook. As a result, this Board refused to approve the Register’s recommended promotions. Ultimately, the Register’s lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice but not before the County incurred approximately $38,000 in attorney’s fees that could have been avoided if the Register simply complied with the County’s Employee Handbook before filing his lawsuit. More importantly, the Register’s failure to follow the Handbook delayed the promotions and corresponding increased pay for two experienced county employees for more than nine months.
Shortly after the Register filed his lawsuit, the Superior Court denied his request for a preliminary injunction, finding that: (1) he did not point to any legal authority for his contention that he does not have to follow the procedures in the Handbook; (2) he did not point to any legal authority that prevents the County’s Human Resources from being involved in the hiring process across the county to ensure consistent practices across department heads and appointing authorities; (3) he did not show a likelihood of success on the merits of his claims; and (4) he also failed to show that the risk of irreparable harm to him outweighed the potential harm to the Commissioners in granting the injunction or (5) that issuance of a preliminary injunction would serve the public interest.
The Superior Court further reasoned that: [T]he Register’s position is contrary to promoting the public interest because he seeks to place his office’s hiring process outside of any established process or procedure to ensure a fair, open process to recruit and hire the best qualified candidates. Instead, the commissioner’s HR policy and handbook seek to implement uniform guidelines for hiring across all county departments and offices as well as providing oversight of the hiring process.
That process is in the public interest because the public fisc is at stake in each of these hiring decisions.
Thus, contrary to the patently false claim that the Register secured a “Court Win,” the Superior Court found that the Register’s claims had no likelihood of success. Notwithstanding the Register’s penchant for filing lawsuits, wasting precious County financial resources, and falsely claiming a loss is a win, this Board continues to represent the citizens in Norfolk County through the lens of lean government supporting the regional needs that impact each community. As we continue to reform Norfolk County, we will undoubtedly encounter those who resist positive changes. Your readers in Franklin and beyond should rest assured that this Board will continue to prioritize community needs and services and always strive to serve you with honesty, integrity and accountability.
Thank you for taking the time to correct the Register’s false claim.
Sincerely yours,
______________________________
Joseph P. Shea, Chairman
Board of County Commissioners
For County of Norfolk
