Rehoboth Fire Chief Terminated

Fire Chief Mark Haskell was fired by the Board of Selectmen in 4 to 1 vote on Tuesday. The reason cited was a dispute over a solar farm project located next to Haskell’s home. Chair Skip Vadnais, Lenny Mills, Robert Johnson, and Dave Pereira all voted in favor, with George Solas in opposition.

Johnson made the motion, stating: “I move that the Select Board find that the Fire Chief engaged in conduct constituting insubordination, misconduct, and conduct unbecoming as set forth in the record presented at disciplinary hearing held in open session on this date, April 20, 2026.”

Johnson added that Haskell had “failed to comply with directives of the Board regarding abstentions from involvement in the solar project and related inspection responsibilities and repeated violations of the state’s ethics laws.”

Haskell had attended a recent Planning Board meeting to discuss the solar farm. 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.

“The damage to my property or how much money I lost on that property, it’s already been done. I can’t fix that,” Haskell explained. “I can’t reverse that. That was done prior to me becoming the Fire Chief. My only motivation is the health, safety, and welfare of my firefighters,” Haskell said.

Johnson said Haskell would be placed on paid administrative leave until he receives his last paycheck.

Solas believes any mistakes Haskell may have made is outweighed by all the things he has done right.

“I’m only talking about this issue, Solas noted. “Nothing else is influencing me. The overall intent wasn’t negative,” Solas noted. “I have a problem with supporting (the motion).”

“I consider (Haskell) to be an honorable guy,” Mills said. “I voted for you as Chief and I respect you, sir. I respect your family. It is a very difficult situation that you’ve put us in, sir. Very difficult.”

Haskell had hoped the matter could’ve been resolved privately. “I was expecting to get a phone call to your house and be scolded in your kitchen,” Haskell said to Vadnais. “We could have hashed it out. We could’ve talked about everything that we talked about tonight.”

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.

At a February 10, 2025 meeting, Johnson said Haskell had the “right attitude” to lead the department. Haskell has been a member of the department for 34 years.

“Rehoboth is a better place moving forward with you here,” Mills said.