Tensions mounted at Stoddard Town Hall Monday night as residents spoke out against the recent ouster of the town’s longtime forest fire warden, Joseph Sarcione, during a selectmen’s meeting.
About 20 people — most of whom opposed the selectmen’s recent decision to have Sarcione terminated — gathered for a discussion that resulted in fiery debate. The meeting was characterized by yelling, name-calling and accusations on both sides. While met with repeated criticism, selectmen were reluctant to reveal additional details about the reasons for Sarcione’s termination.
The meeting concluded with the board’s decision to postpone a closed-door discussion about hiring a new fire warden for at least two weeks.
Before he was terminated, Sarcione had served as fire warden for 38 years.
Sarcione was fired on July 14, 2016, after he received a letter from Brad Simpkins, the director of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands. Selectmen contacted Simpkins in the weeks after a series of major brush fires in town in April, saying they wanted the state agency to remove him from his position.