Board of Fire Engineers v. Board of Selectmen

The issue before us is whether the trial court erred in determining that the Newington Board of Selectmen was the proper body to hear disciplinary proceedings brought against the chief of the fire department. We hold that there was no error.

In June of 1978, a citizens’ petition was filed with the defendant board of selectmen seeking removal or discipline of the town fire chief, also a defendant herein. Before the selectmen took action, however, the Newington Board of Fire Engineers brought suit in Rockingham County Superior Court seeking, inter alia, a declaration that it was “the responsible…