DUDLEY – Highway Superintendent Daniel W. Gion publicly apologized Monday for the racist remark that landed him on administrative leave.

At the selectmen’s meeting Monday, resident Michael A. DeBoise of Jesse Road went to the microphone. “As an African-American living in this town, I’m very offended,” he said. “He’s an official in this town and he should act like an official in town. It’s embarrassing, very embarrassing.”

Mr. Gion was among many participating in a heated Facebook argument Monday night when he posted the comment “Stupid porch monkey!!” That reportedly referred to CNN political commentator Symone Sanders.

A woman Mr. Gion said he had several exchanges with that night, Destiny Grardner, later posted images of Ms. Sanders and Mr. Gion’s comment to the town's Facebook page and suggested he be fired. A second post by Ms. Grardner said, “Dan Gion thinks black people are porch monkeys and he is a supervisor employed here.”

Town Administrator Greg L. Balukonis reported that Mr. Gion was placed on paid leave Wednesday, pending the selectmen’s meeting Monday.

Mr. Gion apologized to selectmen, the town administrator and the public for his “insensitive comment” in an online forum where, he said, harsh words were directed at him.

“I never should have let my emotions get the best of me. Sitting in my home on a Monday night at 9:30 the furthest thing from my mind was I was acting in the capacity of a town employee.”

Mr. Gion was hired by the town in 1979 as a truck driver/laborer. He was promoted to foreman in 1993, and in 1999 he became superintendent.

Selectmen have praised him often in public for doing an “outstanding job,” and for doing more with less.

“I understand that the comment I made wasn’t right. It certainly brought a negative light to the good town of Dudley and upset a lot of people, especially African-Americans,” Mr. Gion said. “My apology is from the heart and totally sincere. I should have been more professional and thought of what I was saying before I posted it.”

Mr. Gion added, “We all make mistakes; we learn from them and move on to be a better person. That’s what I intend to do.”

Mr. DeBoise returned to the microphone.

“I have a forgiving heart and I forgive Danny Gion for saying what he said, but it doesn’t make it right,” he said. “If we sweep it under the rug then we’re telling our children it’s OK to do that.”

At close of the board meeting, selectmen went behind closed doors with Mr. Gion, presumably to decide what, if any, disciplinary action will be taken.