Meeting over a period of months beginning last summer, the Oak Bluffs selectmen were deeply torn over whether to fire John Rose for inappropriate behavior and lying about it, executive session minutes show.

Under pressure to clarify the status of fire chief John Rose following a settlement involving sexual harassment claims, selectmen stood behind their embattled department head.

The town has settled sexual harassment and discrimination claims against its fire chief John Rose, agreeing to pay former fire department administrator Cynthia Hatt $97,500.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting an inquiry into the Oak Bluffs EMS and fire department, multiple sources familiar with the investigation have confirmed.