A group of concerned Woodstock parents have called for the town’s most recent maintenance employee to be fired. They also want town supervisor Bill McKenna, who has attempted to allay their fears, to resign.
Their concern, they say, is that Michael Innello, a Level 3 sex offender, might have access to children at the town’s summer camp, which utilizes Andy Lee Field and the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center.
It’s not so much the recommendation for Innello’s hiring that has some parents and a majority of the town board upset. It’s the withholding of the town employee’s past on the part of McKenna.
“Three members of the town board have formally requested information related to the hiring of this individual and submitted a list of questions to the supervisor, who has refused to respond or provide any information to confirm whether the proper process was followed,” said Anula Courtis, the Democratic nominee to succeed McKenna as supervisor in this November’s election.
McKenna defends his actions
Camp director Kathryn Abbott said Innello was not permitted on the grounds when day camp is in session. Staff has been instructed to call police if he is seen. She referred all other questions to McKenna.
McKenna said Innello did not have keys to any of the buildings, and that he picks up garbage outside them between 6:30 and 7 a.m., well before the campers arrive.
McKenna noted he has been on the town board an elected town official for 20 years and takes town safety seriously. “I take it very personally taking care of Woodstock,” he said. “I would not do anything that would put anyone in harm’s way.”
The supervisor said he was not excusing or condoning the behavior that led to Innello’s conviction and prison sentence. He believed, however, that Innello, a good employee, deserves a second chance.
McKenna, who has met with Innello’s parole officer, said he has communicated to the camp counselors that they can call his personal cell phone with concerns. He said he was more concerned about recent reports of a homeless man camping out in the back of Andy Lee Field in his underwear. He said he went there to try to locate that individual.
McKenna said all town vehicles, including the one assigned to Innello, have GPS trackers. He demonstrated on his smartphone that he has access to vehicle locations at any time.
Protecting the public
Courtis also believes in second chances, but thinks it inappropriate in this specific situation. “The court has determined he poses an ongoing threat,” Courtis said “This isn’t about denying someone a future, it’s about protecting the public, especially our children.”
McKenna said he knew of Innello’s history and vetted him extra carefully because of it. He said he did not reveal the details to the rest of the town board because he did not think it was relevant to job performance.
Close to campers
Concerned parents and camp staff are expected to attend the July 22 meeting of the town board to protest Innello’s hiring.
With very few exceptions, the board usually approves potential hires recommended by the supervisor. It is implied the candidates have gone through necessary checks and meet the requirements.
One condition of Innello’s parole was that he cannot have contact with minors. The supervisor said Innello is closely monitored and that any slipup would lead to a parole violation and his firing.
McKenna said the only time Innello had been near campers or staff was the first day of camp, when the maintenance department headed by Allen VanLeuven was shortstaffed trying to get the pool ready for the season.
Courtis was unconvinced.
“The supervisor has said this individual won’t be working near kids or women, so what does that mean for future hires?” she asked. “Are we now limiting who we can employ, specifically women, because of one person’s criminal history? None of this makes sense.”
Courtis feels the town board was deprived of being able to participate in making an informed decision in Innello’s hiring. She echoed concerns from families that Innello was in close proximity to summer camp and other areas where children are present. She supports Innello’s removal.
Councilmember Bennet Ratcliff wants to go further, according to McKenna. He wants the supervisor, his longtime foe, impeached.
Ratcliff did not return a request for comment.
Innello, 31, was hired as a part-time laborer in March and given full-time status in June. He was convicted September 9, 2020, of one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a person incapable of consent, a Class D felony, for sexually abusing an unconscious woman and filming it. He was also convicted of one count of possessing sexual performance by a child younger than 16, a Class E felony. He was sentenced to five years in state prison and served most of that term. He was released to parole supervision last December.
Join the family! 
