WEST BOYLSTON — Officials are dismissing claims by the town administrator's lawyer that the decision to fire James Ryan has been made before a scheduled hearing about the handling of a Trump flag being displayed inside the police station. Ryan has been criticized by the police chief and others for apparently ordering that the flag be removed.

A lawyer representing the West Boylston Town Administrator says he faces imminent termination following a Trump flag controversy.

Residents were given an opportunity to speak out Wednesday night about the controversy that arose over a Trump flag that the town administrator ordered removed from the police station. The 13 residents who spoke during the public comment session of the Select Board meeting included the police chief’s son,