• Robert Rogowski signs 3-year contract as Barre fire chief, to replace father

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Fire Lt. Robert Rogowski. T&G Staff/Kim Ring
• • • Barre police chief declines 2-month extension
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  By James F. Russell
  Correspondent

  
  Posted Jun. 16, 2016 at 2:55 PM
  Updated at 3:45 PM
  
  
  

  BARRE – Fire Lt. Robert Rogowski has signed a three-year contract with selectmen to serve as the town’s new fire chief, with a starting salary of $70,000 per year, he said in an interview on Thursday. He begins July 1.

  He would replace his father in the top spot.

  Selectmen unanimously voted at their June 15 meeting to approve the employment contract with Lt. Rogowski.

  But the long-serving chief, Joseph Rogowski - and his lawyer, Jack Collins - say that selectmen can only remove him from the job for just cause, which they have not done.

  Chief Rogowski, the elder, said he intends to remain as chief.

  In an interview, Lt. Rogowski, slated to be the fire chief starting on July 1, was asked if he had concerns about his father’s claim on the job.

  “Very much so,” he said.

  The prospective chief said he has discussed the uncertainty of what may transpire with town officials.

  “I’ve expressed my concerns with the town,” he said.

  “I’m a fourth generation firefighter. If he wasn’t going to be chief – I was concerned with the direction of (the department) with a new chief. I have a solid plan, and reputation,” he said.

  Lt. Rogowski, 32, joined the Barre Fire Department 16 years ago.

  He currently serves as a firefighter for a state fire district encompassing four communities on Cape Cod, and previously served as a full-time firefighter in Sterling.
  

  The lieutenant said he is also concerned about what may happen, should his father prevail in any potential legal action against Barre selectmen.

  The newly appointed fire chief also acknowledged that, as of Thursday, he had not given his current employer notice he would be resigning.

  At the board's June 15 meeting, selectmen unanimously voted to approve the employment contract with Lt. Rogowski.

  A year ago, selectmen voted not to renew Chief Joseph Rogowski’s contract, saying that would satisfy the legal notification requirements to terminate his employment.

  Mr. Collins wrote on behalf of the chief last month, telling town officials any appointment of a new chief would be “unlawful.” The lawyer says provisions of the “strong chief” law prevent him being terminated without just cause.

  At one point, selectmen offered the chief’s position to Phillipston Fire Chief Richard Stevens. However, he eventually chose to decline it.

  The job was then offered to Robert Rogowski.

  One of the board members who opposed keeping Chief Joseph Rogowski, Richard P. Jankauskas, was removed from office during a recall election last month.

  The leader of the recall effort, Gregory O’Sullivan, in the petition, alleged that Mr. Jankauskas had undermined public safety.

  Selectman Kathlyn Inman, who also opposed Chief Rogowski, was defeated during the April town election by Charles Chase.