Rehoboth Fire Chief Bids Farewell

Fire Chief Mark Haskell, whose employment was terminated by the Board of Selectmen on April 21, left a goodbye message on the Fire Department’s Facebook page Thursday.

Haskell was placed on paid administrative leave by the Board of Selectmen until he receives his final paycheck.

“While this decision was made by the town, I want to be clear that I am disappointed by the decision of the Board of Selectmen. I harbor no ill will toward anyone,” Haskell wrote. “My service to this community has always been, and will always remain, a point of pride. I accepted the responsibility of protecting lives and property with honor, and I have never taken that trust lightly.”

“Though I no longer wear the title, I will always be a neighbor, a friend, and someone who cares deeply about the safety and wellbeing of this town. Thank you for standing beside me when it would have been easier to stay silent. I am humbled and forever grateful. If I was afforded the opportunity to return as the Chief, I would start back today.”

“I would like to finally thank the Firefighters of the Rehoboth Fire Department. Their support has been overwhelming. I knew we had a department of loyal and hardworking Firefighters; I did not realize the support I had as their Chief. The text messages and phone calls asking how I’m doing, how I’m feeling, what I’m thinking and what I plan do next has been very emotional. They understand I had their back; I had their safety and their wellbeing as my number one priority. If I could apologize to each and every one of them I would. Hopefully this letter lets them all know how I think of them all.”

Haskell had attended a recent Planning Board meeting to discuss a solar farm which abuts his property on Pond Street. The topic was not on the agenda for that meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, Haskell got up from his seat in the audience, identified himself as the Fire Chief, and asked about the solar project. A video of the meeting was shown to the Board of Selectmen.

The town’s legal counsel insisted that under state law, a town employee is prohibited from participating in a discussion on a matter in which they have a financial interest. Haskell’s “ownership of an abutting property” constituted a financial interest in the solar project.

Haskell had previously served as Assistant Fire Chief. Last October, Haskell replaced Chief Frank Barresi, who retired after serving in the department for 38 years.