Charlton Fire Department Complaints and Investigation
At a glance
Names are ASR-approximate.
- What: firefighters (union) have raised complaints and held a vote of no confidence alleging harassment, retaliation and vindictive behavior.
- Where it stands: open and potentially escalating; the board retained an independent investigator and treats the matter as personnel, declining to give details. No board decision announced.
Board position
- The board retained an independent investigator, treats the matter as personnel, and declined to give details.
Concerns raised in public
- September 22: attorney Rebecca Cousins raised the fire chief remaining in position during an ongoing investigation (cut off by the chair; she warned of lawsuit risk).
- October 13: firefighter Steven Reese said he emailed the board twice and only one member replied, and asked what anti-retaliation steps exist under personnel policy section 10.
Status
- Open and potentially escalating; no board decision announced.
Discussion time
About 6 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 - Select Board Meeting | 4 |
| 2026-09-22 - Select Board Meeting | 2 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - Select Board Meeting — Chair read a statement on the independent investigation; firefighter Steven Reese pressed on retaliation safeguards in open forum; board gave no further details.
- 2026-09-22 - Select Board Meeting — Raised in open forum by Rebecca Cousins; board declined to discuss; no decision made.