Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 31 § 41A
Upon the request of the appointing authority and a tenured employee, who is entitled to a hearing pursuant to the first paragraph of section forty-one, a hearing before a disinterested hearing officer, designated by the chair of the commission, may be held in lieu of a hearing before the appointing authority. Such hearing officer shall make findings of facts and may make recommendations for decision to the commission. Following the decision of the commission, there shall be no appeal pursuant to the provisions of section forty-three; provided, however, that a petition to review may be filed pursuant to the provisions of section forty-four. All requirements relative to written notice and the holding of hearings pursuant to this section shall be governed by those set forth in section forty-one.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 31, § 31:41A