UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 9, 2009


                              CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.
                              ---------------------
               (Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified In Charter)


       MASSACHUSETTS                      0-25251              04-3447594
- --------------------------------      -------------------     -------------
(State Or Other Jurisdiction            (Commission           (IRS Employer
Of Incorporation)                       File Number)         Identification No.)


399 HIGHLAND AVENUE, SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS                       02144
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices)                           (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 628-4000
                                                           --------------


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name Or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
    (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




ITEM 5.02    DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;
             ------------------------------------------------------------------
             APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF
             -------------------------------------------------------------
             CERTAIN OFFICERS.
             ----------------

         On October 9, 2009, David W. Kearn, the Executive Vice President and
Senior Lending Officer of Central Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") and its wholly
owned subsidiary, Central Co-operative Bank (the "Bank"), notified the Company
that he will take an indefinite medical leave of absence. In addition, Mr. Kearn
has also notified the Company that he expects to retire as Executive Vice
President and Senior Lending Officer of the Company and the Bank on or before
December 31, 2009. Mr. Kearn has been on medical leave since August 24, 2009,
but had previously believed that his absence would be of a shorter duration. In
his absence, Mr. Kearn's duties have been performed by other members of senior
management. The Company has commenced a search for Mr. Kearn's replacement.









                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.



Date: October 13, 2009                 By: /s/ Paul S. Feeley
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Paul S. Feeley
                                           Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
                                           Chief Financial Officer