Acting June 14, the Minnehata Fire Co. in Nobleboro voted to remove Fire Chief Woodbury McLean from his position.
Confirming the fire department’s action, Dick Spear, chairman of the Nobleboro Board of Selectmen said Minnehata Assistant Chief Ryan Gallagher is currently serving as acting chief.
“There were personal reasons that they were upset with [McLean],” Spear said. “They didn’t feel he was doing the job.”
McLean is currently under investigation for alleged mismanagement of fire department funds, according to Major Ken Mason with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. No further details could be provided, as the investigation is ongoing, Mason said.
McLean, a firefighter for 18 years, could not be reached for comment.
Members of the Nobleboro Fire Dept. deferred comments to Gallagher. In response to request for comment, Gallagher sent an email to The Lincoln County News June 23 stating:
“The Minnehata Fire Company did vote out Woodbury McLean as the fire chief. Reasons why the department removed Mr. McLean are confidential. I am the acting Chief of Nobleboro until further notice. The department will be holding a special election to fill that position. The fire department would like express to the townspeople of Nobleboro that we are here to serve them in the best manner the taxpayers deserve.
“If anyone is interested in joining the fire department, please stop by Monday nights at 7 p.m.”
The selectmen plan to officially swear Gallagher in as the town’s fire chief at the board’s regular meeting June 23, although he has not committed to taking the position long term, Spear said.
The fire department will choose a permanent replacement at their monthly meeting in early July, Spear said.
McLean’s removal from his position follows a string of incidents that marred his tenure as Fire Chief following his election to the post in January.
Those incidents culminated in the Nobleboro Board of Selectmen sending a letter on April 15 to every member of the fire department asking them to “find a solution” to the various problems.
Prior to that letter, the state suspended McLean’s driver’s license for failure to make child support payments, and the selectmen subsequently ordered him not to drive any town vehicles.
In April, District Court Judge Ralph Tucker ordered McLean to stay away from a 29-year-old Bristol female firefighter who claimed he harassed her after she broke off a romantic relationship. McLean agreed to stay away from the firefighter.
Earlier, the woman sought a Protection from Abuse order filed against McLean. The court granted the PFA based on the woman’s allegations that McLean continued to text message and call her after she told him she wanted to end their relationship.
