PLYMOUTH — Nov. 5, 2026 — Plymouth County commissioners on Thursday took a roll-call vote on an updated pay form for County Administrator Troy Clarkson that the chair described as consistent with a Superior Court order, while reserving both sides’ rights under his contract, including a negotiated $185,000 salary. Jared Valanzola restated opposition, citing a federal grant dispute.
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Administrator’s pay form. The motion was to approve the updated CPS form for the county administrator, consistent with an order from Plymouth County Superior Court. It stated that approval does not give up the county’s or the employee’s rights to enforce all parts of the signed employment agreement later, including the $185,000 salary.
Valanzola questioned whether the specific form had been properly listed, noting that the posted agenda showed a blank placeholder for CPS forms while an updated agenda named Clarkson. Executive Assistant Nancy O'Rourke said such forms often arrive at the last minute and are listed as placeholders.
Valanzola said that opposition to what the commissioner called this hiring would continue, citing an email chain from former administrator Frank Basler about a federal Byrne Grant that Valanzola said showed work had not been done. Chair Greg Hanley responded that the matter was before the board because of the court.
The vote to approve the CPS forms for Clarkson consistent with the order from Superior Court passed 2-1 with Valanzola voting no.
Grant dispute. Later, Valanzola asked Clarkson for an update on the Byrne Grant. Clarkson said the commissioner could have called or emailed first, that Clarkson read the email differently, and that because the previous administrator did not provide information Clarkson has had to work directly with the U.S. Department of Justice to become the grant’s executive authority. Clarkson offered a detailed written briefing.
Valanzola said the issue had been raised a month earlier, that Clarkson was informed in mid-August, and that Brockton and Plymouth rely on the grant and could lose out on what could be hundreds of thousands of dollars.
