Debnam v. Town of Belmont

Debnam, Foy, Gaudet, Madden, and McDonald, permanent fire fighters in the fire department of the town of Belmont, were laid off, effective February 1, 1981, in response to a reduction of municipal revenues due to the enactment of St. 1980, c. 580, popularly known as Proposition 2Vz. The fire fighters appealed to the Civil Service Commission (commission), pursuant to G. L. c. 31, § 43, as appearing in St. 1978, c. 393, § 11. The commission reversed the town’s action and ordered that the fire fighters be restored to their positions without loss of compensation or other rights. The fire fighters…