Grosse Ile fire commission recommends Bob Roscoe as next fire chief; approves meeting dates, chair appointment

The Grosse Ile Fire Commission on March (date not specified) voted to recommend that the township board appoint Bob Roscoe as the next fire chief and approved its meeting schedule for the coming year and the appointment of a commission chair.

The commission made the recommendation after interviewing three candidates and approved a motion that the commission and the township manager work together to finalize the proposed chiefs compensation, benefits and education program before the township board takes up the appointment at its March board meeting. "I make a motion to recommend the appointment of Bob Roscoe as Grosse Ile's next fire chief to the township board with the understanding that the commission will work with the township manager to address and recommend to the township board the proposed chief's compensation, his benefits, and his educational program in advance of the Board of Trustees March meeting," a commissioner said during the meeting. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The commission also approved its meeting dates for the period April 10, 2025, through March 12, 2026, and elected Commissioner Kovalak as chair for the coming year. Both motions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

In his report to the commission, Fire Chief Camilleri reviewed recent call activity and department finances. According to the chief, the department has handled calls steadily year to date, including what he described as a record month in January. The chief said the department had "152 EMS calls and 31 fire calls" in the current reporting period and said overall expenditures increased about 1.79% year over year. "With a 1.79% increase in budget and increasing the size of the fire department twofold, that is only an increase of $21,000," the chief said. He also told commissioners the department has been participating in the township budget process and that recruitment remains a top priority as call volumes rise.

The commission emphasized that it is a recommending body and that the township board retains final appointment authority. Township Manager Mickey (first name only in the record) was identified as the staff member who would present the commission's recommendation to the board at its March meeting.

Public comment included an endorsement from Julia Roscoe, who identified herself as a resident of 8919 Bellevue Road and spoke in support of her husband, Bob Roscoe. "My husband, Bob Roscoe, has my highest recommendation," she said, praising his 13 years with the fire department and his two years serving as fire marshal.

Votes at a glance: the meeting used voice votes for recorded motions and each motion was declared carried by the chair. Specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Discussion points: commissioners discussed flexibility in meeting scheduling to preserve quorum amid vacations and other conflicts and noted the fire commission's small membership makes attendance important. The commission also reviewed the department's capital improvement planning, which the chief said has been in place for decades.

The commission noted that Chief Camilleri will remain for at least one more meeting before his departure; the appointment recommended tonight will go to the township board for its consideration.