Embattled Massachusetts Fire Chief Steps Down

Two weeks after being placed on administrative leave for falsifying an elevator certificate, Fire Chief Thomas P. Ruchala has retired, effective Feb. 28.

Joseph Becker, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, read an announcement of the retirement at last night's board meeting, adding that he and the board would not take any questions nor make any further comment.

"On behalf of myself and the board, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to him," Mr. Becker said. "Tom has served the department since at least 1965, when he was 15, and he has been involved with so many things in town. We wish him all the best."

Chief Ruchala was placed on leave after a state Department of Public Safety report that indicated he had falsified the inspection certificate on the wheelchair lift in the Public Safety Building and then lied about it when it became public. The inspection certificate had an expiration date of June 2002, and Chief Ruchala altered the certificate before an insurance safety inspection in 2009, changing the certificate's expiration date to 2015.

Fire Capt. Seth Knipe asked the board to appoint an acting chief so the department could continue to function.

Mr. Becker said that he had asked Police Chief Donald Haapakoski to assume administrative and human resource responsibilities after Chief Ruchala was placed on leave, and recommended that Chief Haapakoski be named acting chief.

Mr. Knipe and Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Lowe expressed reservations about having Chief Haapakoski as acting fire chief and requested that the Board of Selectmen meet with the department before naming an acting chief.

In order for the department to continue to operate, Mr. Becker was named acting chief.

The board agreed to use a search committee similar to the one used to hire Chief Haapakoski to find a new fire chief. Five residents and two fire service professionals will be selected for the committee. Residents interested in participating in the search process should submit a letter to the Board of Selectmen.

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