Callanan v. Personnel Administrator for the Commonwealth

The plaintiffs, who seek promotion to the position of fire lieutenant, brought this action in the nature *598of mandamus under G. L. c. 249, § 5, to compel the personnel administrator for the Commonwealth (administrator) to establish the eligibility list for the position of district fire chief for the city of Boston. The administrator appeals from an order directing him to certify the plaintiffs’ names as eligible for appointment to the position of fire lieutenant, and finding him in civil contempt. A Justice of the Appeals Court stayed the order pending appeal, and we took the case on our own…