Town's Insurance Company Settles Marchand Case for $1.285 Million

The town of Hamilton has settled for $1.285 million.

The settlement was announced by the Hamilton Board of Selectmen on Monday night at 10:20 p.m. after coming out of an executive session following a regular Board of Selectmen meeting at .

It will be paid by the town's insurance company, Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Agency. A complete copy of the release and settlement agreement is attached to this story as a PDF.

Marchand first sued the town of Hamilton in 2009 in U.S. District Court in Boston seeking damages for what he said were a series of unauthorized investigations and allegations against him that caused stress and anxiety after he alerted state officials that EMT certifications were being issued to officers who claimed credit for classes that were never held.

The case was amended by Marchand in 2010 and did not list the amount he was seeking. In a so-called demand letter he sent to the town, as required, before filing in the suit, he said he was seeking $5 million.

Marchand resigned from the in September 2010. At the time, he was on leave receiving injured on duty pay. He was a full-time Hamilton police officer for 13 years.

On Monday night, the Hamilton Board of Selectmen released the following statement.

"The Town of Hamilton was recently notified by MIIA (Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Agency) that it and other insurance companies had reached a settlement with former Hamilton Police Officer Michael Marchand for an amount of $1,285,000.

After nearly three years of protracted discussions the parties agreed to the Release and Settlement of any and all claims related to the ongoing lawsuit against the Town of Hamilton and other defendants.

We note that the Settlement is in no way an expression of liability or fault and that all costs associated with the Settlement are attributed to the Insurance Companies and not the Town or other Defendants.  This agreement is final and closes the chapter on a very difficult time for all parties involved."

Check back to Hamilton-Wenham Patch for more coverage on Tuesday.