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An attorney for the suspended fire chief of Rockport, Massachusetts, filed a lawsuit against town leaders on Monday, arguing that they’re breaking a variety of laws by the way they’re managing the all-volunteer fire department.
The 57-page complaint filed on behalf of 10 taxpayers targets decisions made by both the Board of Selectmen and the town administrator, including appointing the town administrator as public safety commissioner, putting the fire chief on paid leave, installing an assistant police chief to oversee the fire department and hiring an auditor to review the fire department.
The court filing comes nearly three months after the firefighters threatened to walk off the job over disagreements with town leaders over the fire department’s management.
Updated on January 25, 2021 at 7:49 am
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Nearly three months after threatening to walk off the job over disagreements with town leaders over the fire department’s management, Rockport’s volunteer firefighters say the town is now targeting them with an unnecessary audit.
The latest dust-up between the fire department and town hall, which is across the street from the fire station, comes as its chief, James Doyle, remains on paid leave, something that could end as early as Tuesday during his termination hearing.
“Now, they’re going to tell us they’re doing on audit on our department,” said Capt. Frank Favaloro. “We don’t feel we need an audit. We know what the problems were. We know what our problems are. If anything needs to be audited, it’s across the street.”
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By Michael Cronin Staff Writer   Dec 15, 2020
Dec 15, 2020
TIM JEAN/Staff file photo/Rockport Fire Department s Ladder 1 is seen on Main Street.
ROCKPORT â The town s counsel has recommended selectmen take no action on a community-helmed petition seeking to emancipate the Rockport Fire Department from town oversight, calling it invalid as written.
Attorney Michael Walsh of Walsh & Walsh LLP in Lynnfield submitted a petition at Town Hall on Dec. 7 asking selectmen to call a special Town Meeting that would vote on establishing the âIndependent Rockport Fire Department.â The petition said the new department would serve under a three-person prudential committee elected by the public. The committee would be responsible for selecting a fire chief to oversee all administration, personnel, and equipment; manage the budget; and enforce policies.
featured
By Michael Cronin Staff Writer   Dec 15, 2020
Dec 15, 2020
TIM JEAN/Staff file photo/Rockport Fire Department s Ladder 1 is seen on Main Street.
ROCKPORT â The town s counsel has recommended selectmen take no action on a community-helmed petition seeking to emancipate the Rockport Fire Department from town oversight, calling it invalid as written.
Attorney Michael Walsh of Walsh & Walsh LLP in Lynnfield submitted a petition at Town Hall on Dec. 7 asking selectmen to call a special Town Meeting that would vote on establishing the âIndependent Rockport Fire Department.â The petition said the new department would serve under a three-person prudential committee elected by the public. The committee would be responsible for selecting a fire chief to oversee all administration, personnel, and equipment; manage the budget; and enforce policies.