Fire chief placed on administrative leave

MIDDLEBORO -- Fire Chief Owen Thompson has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The reason for the move was not publicly explained, with Interim Town Manager Joe Perkins describing the situation as a “personnel matter.’’

With Thompson off the job, Select Board members agreed at their March 30 meeting to hire retired Middleboro Fire Capt. Dana Fontaine as the interim fire chief.

Perkins was asked by the select board to suggest possible candidates for the interim post. He suggested Fontaine, Police Chief Robert Ferreira and retired Canton Fire Chief and Town Administrator Charles Doody as candidates.

All three were described by Perkins as “men of  character’’ with “excellent leadership skills.’’

Several members of the Middleboro Fire Department command staff would be qualified to fill the position, Perkins said, but he worried about “divided loyalties.’’

The person hired as interim chief would likely be asked to make budget cuts and potential layoffs in light of the current budget shortfall of $3.5 million, Perkins said. A subsequent return to a staff role would be “a difficult position for any person to be placed in.’’

Select board members opposed adding a new responsibility to an already busy Police Chief Ferreira. The police chief “has a lot on his shoulders,’’ Select Board member Brian Giovanoni said.

Fontaine was ultimately selected because he has internal knowledge of the department, having retired within the last few years. He was “well-respected’’ within the department, Select Board member Bill Pike said. “He’s a good man.’’

Giovanoni initially suggested “taking a breath’’ and delaying the decision while more information could be gathered.

Perkins replied that, with the budget shortfall forcing an immediate financial review, a decision should be made sooner rather than later.

“From this week to next week, nothing will change,’’ Perkins said. “The board owes it to the town to put someone in there’’ who can begin working on the issues and oversee the department.

With Fontane’s hiring, Middleboro now has interim leaders in three major positions. Michael Perrone is temporarily serving as superintendent of schools after the departure of Carolyn Lyons, while Perkins is serving as interim town manager following James McGrail’s move to Harwich for a town administrator position.

Thompson was hired as chief in September 2022.

Prior to coming to Middleboro, he worked for 20 years in the Brookline Fire Department. He rose the ranks to captain before being hired in Middleboro.

His tenure was marked by both success and tragedy.

Four people were killed in four separate house fires between February 2024 and December 2025. One of the victims was a 12-year-old girl, who died in a fire in February 2024.

The department also had reason to celebrate. Six new firefighters were hired in early 2025 through the receipt of a federal grant award of more than $2 million.

These new hires allowed the department's south station on Wareham Street to be fully staffed during all shifts.

Thompson did not respond to a request for comment.