One of the state’s highly regarded labor attorneys, Vincent Ragosta, will be heading up the legal team as the Cumberland Fire Committee begins contract negotiations with the unionized firefighters of Cumberland Professional Firefighters Local 2722.
Several negotiating sessions, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 3, were scheduled between the union team led by President Brian Bernardo and fire board members Cynthia Ouellette and Ron Champagne along with Chairman Bruce Lemois. Member Frank Matta is the fire board’s alternate. Member Phillip Koutsogiane also volunteered, but Lemois said he was standing pat with the announced team.
Working with Ragosta will be attorney Timothy Bliss.
Lemois described Bliss as less experienced but taking direction from Ragosta.
Uncertain is the legal bill for the district, as it moves forward in what’s expected to be a more vigorous negotiating session than last year’s unifying contract that saw salaries and benefits for the firefighters equalized across the four districts. Lemois said the district will be tapping the $12,000 legal expense line item that’s also used to pay the board’s attorney Kelley Morris.