By DAMIEN FISHER, InDepthNH.org
Few answers are forthcoming about Brookline Fire Chief Charles Corey’s job status after the veteran firefighter was put on paid administrative leave this week.
Town Administrator Scott Butcher told InDepthNH.org he could not comment on the personnel issue, but said he is hopeful to see Corey back on the job at some point.
“We’re hoping it will get resolved quickly and we’ll see him back there,” Butcher said.
Butcher did not know Corey’s salary off hand when contacted Wednesday, but confirmed Corey is a full-time employee and is being paid while on administrative leave.
Corey did not respond to a request for comment. The chief was placed on leave Monday, Dec. 18, and a Brookline Police Officer was in attendance while Corey vacated the station house, according to Assistant Fire Chief Davis Joki. Joki told InDepthNH.org the presence of the police officer is standard given the situation, but did not comment on the specifics.
Brookline Police Chief Bill Quigley could not say if a police officer was present when Corey was placed on leave, but said Corey was not removed from town property by law enforcement.
“All I can say is he was not escorted out by a police officer,” Quigley said.
Whatever is going on with Corey is not going to be communicated to Brookline residents anytime soon. Select board Vice Chair Brendan Denehy told InDepthNH.org the board has no plans to say anything at this point.
“We’re not making any statement at this time,” Denehy said.
Board Chair Eddie Arnold could not be reached for comment.
It is not clear if Corey’s leave is at all related to the board’s emergency meeting held Dec. 13. The board met for a non-public session last Wednesday that was noticed as “Non-public session re RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (personnel); (c) (reputation) and (l) (legal); potentially others.”