ADAMS — K. Scott Kelley, who was placed on paid leave over three months ago, is no longer the town's police chief.

Kelley

Select Board Chair John Duval told The Eagle on Monday that Kelley no longer works for the town. He declined to elaborate on the specifics of his departure.

“The town does not comment on personnel matters and will have no further comment on this matter at this time,” Duval said. “That’s the guidance we received by the town counsel.”

Kelley was placed on paid leave Sept. 8 after an executive session. The agenda cited concerns about “the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence” of an employee, or potential “discipline or dismissal, or complaints or charges.”

The Select Board at the time appointed Sgt. Donna Malloy as interim police chief. Then, on Oct. 1, the board appointed former Lanesborough Police Chief Timothy Sorrell to serve interim chief in Adams.

On Nov. 12, the board approved a three-month contact for Sorrell and changed his title to acting police chief. His biweekly salary is about $4,000, according to Holli Jayko, interim town administrator.

“Tim will be acting police chief, and that will go on until further notice,” Duval said on Monday. Kelley could not be reached for comment

Sorrell, a Lenox native and Marine veteran, served in the Lanesborough Police Department for over 33 years, the final 5 1/2 as chief. He retired from the department in 2021, and has served a term on the Lanesborough Select Board.

Timothy Sorrell is acting police chief until further notice.

Sorrell was a special officer in Adams for almost four years, where he has worked traffic details, election details, manned the desk and served as the firearms licensing officer. He had familiarity with the building and the other officers. His son, Nicholas Sorrell, is a patrolman in Adams.

Kelley was hired Jan. 18, 2021, succeeding Adams Police Chief Richard Tarsa.

“He was truly a gentleman to negotiate with,” said Jay Green, then the Adams town administrator, at the time of the interview process.

He was one of 37 applicants and two finalists for the job. The other was former Egremont Police Chief Erik Josephson. After Tarsa’s retirement, Troy Bacon, of Indiana, served in the role as acting chief.

Prior to coming to Adams, Kelley’s nearly 25 years in law enforcement were entirely in South Carolina. He served as chief of police at Spartanburg Community College.

Kelley earned $115,172 a year and was serving a three-year contract that began Jan. 1, 2024, and would have run through Dec. 31, 2026, according to Duval.

A review of Kelley's employment and training history in law enforcement in South Carolina shows no red flags.