NAHANT – The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission denied the appeal of Former Nahant Acting Fire Chief Kevin Howard in a decision made last Thursday, Aug. 23.”I’m glad that it’s over for all parties and I hope that we can move forward,” said Town Administrator Andrew Bisignani.Howard admitted on April 20, 2012 to sufficient facts that he stole money from his firefighters union, and agreed to pay $14,000 to the town and firefighters’ union in restitution.Howard filed appeals with the Commission in February and April 2011 contesting whether the town “committed procedural errors related to the disciplinary proceedings ? and whether there was just cause to terminate him,” according to the decision.The Commission found that Nahant did nothing wrong because they gave “proper notice of the hearing with specific charges, notified (him) of his appeals rights under civil service law, appointed a hearing officer and notified (him) of the final decision to terminate him in a timely manner.”They also found that the town had just cause because Howard admitted to stealing over $250, and agreed to reimburse the union $12,854.42 and the town $1,145.42.The decision said, “The evidence supporting the charges against Mr. Howard is overwhelming.”Howard’s criminal charges were given a continuance on April 20, 2012, pending a three-year probation.Howard has the ability to file an appeal to Superior Court, but his next step is unknown since calls to his lawyers were not returned.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].