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Grosse Ile board appoints Robert Roscoe as fire chief after divided vote
Summary
The township board voted 5–2 to hire Robert Roscoe as fire chief following interviews and a recommendation from the Fire Commission. Some trustees raised procedural concerns about the hiring process and an anonymous complaint that township staff said had been investigated and adjudicated.
The Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees on March 24 voted 5–2 to approve the hire of Robert Roscoe as the township's fire chief, following a recommendation from the Fire Commission.
The motion to hire Roscoe, presented at the meeting as an appointment “based upon a recommendation from the Grosse Ile Fire Commission,” was moved by a trustee who chaired the discussion and seconded by Trustee Margaret (last name not specified in the transcript). The board conducted a roll-call vote after discussion; five trustees voted yes and two voted no.
The Fire Commission interviewed three internal candidates and recommended Roscoe at its March 12 meeting. Roscoe addressed the board before the vote, laying out a brief vision focused on three priorities: “training and development,” “community engagement” and “modernization and growth,” and said he planned to pursue those while “working within our budget and ensuring financial sustainability.”
Why it matters: The appointment puts internal leadership in place after a period of interim command and will shape departmental training, outreach and equipment plans. Several trustees said the board’s handling of the appointment raised procedural questions that warrant policy review.
What trustees said: Trustee Bartlett (first name used in the meeting as “Mickey”) strongly supported Roscoe and dismissed the anonymous complaint that some trustees cited, saying the allegation was “BS” and that she would not “give it any more airtime.” Trustee Bill expressed support as well after the roll call. Trustee Mark said he could not vote in favor because he believes the board failed to follow the township’s nonunion hiring procedure (identified in the meeting as policy/procedure 3.6). Treasurer Kevin stated he was a “reluctant no.”
Supervisor Joe Porcirrelli and Township Manager Derek Threo told the board they had reviewed the anonymous allegation and considered it adjudicated. Porcirrelli told the trustees the complaint had been looked into and staff felt it was resolved before the vote.
Process and concerns: Multiple speakers noted a tension between long-standing local practice of promoting internal candidates for chief positions and the written nonunion hiring policy the board cited. Trustee Mills asked that the board review the policy language to avoid future confusion; several trustees said they intended to pursue clarifying changes so posting and notice requirements are clear for future top-level hires.
Action recorded: Motion to hire Robert Roscoe as fire chief based on the terms in an attached employment offer letter; mover: Trustee Bartlett (mover as recorded in the meeting); second: Trustee Margaret (second as recorded in the meeting). Roll-call vote: Bill (yes), Mickey/Bartlett (yes), Jamieson (yes), Supervisor Joe Porcirrelli (yes), Margaret (yes); Kevin (no), Mark (no). Outcome: approved (5–2).
Next steps: Roscoe said he will be sworn in at the next board meeting. Several trustees asked staff and the board attorney to draft clearer language clarifying the township’s nonunion hiring process for future hires.
