Braintree Fire Sued By Deputy Chief For Age Descrimination

BRAINTREE, MA — A Braintree fire deputy chief is suing the town and the fire department over what he says is a case of age discrimination.

Alan Predella, a member of the Braintree Fire Department since 1983, filed a civil suit on June 21. In the lawsuit, he accuses the town of taking away benefits because he did not retire when he reached his maximum pension payout of 80 percent his salary.

Court documents say the department has a policy where deputy chiefs who have maxed out their pension benefits and have had three years of deputy chief pay are obligated to retire and collect pension so other firefighters can fill their spots, get raises, promotions, and enhanced pensions.

"For example, on many occasions, Defendant (Thomas) Grace has stated that because Deputy Chiefs who have maxed out don’t have to pay state taxes on their pensions or pay union dues, their pensions substantially equate their salaries, meaning that they cannot justify their continued employment," the complaint reads.

Predella alleges that he once saw "Time to go - 0%" written on a whiteboard in the fire station, implying that someone should leave if they have already reached an 80 percent pension and can't earn a raise.

The suit seeks back pay, damages for emotional distress, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, treble damages, and liquidated damages.

The town, Braintree Firefighters IAFF Local 920, Mayor Joseph Sullivan, Fire Captain Thomas Grace, and Local 920 President William Cash are listed as defendants.

Sullivan declined to comment when contacted by the Patriot Ledger.

Below is the full suit:

Image: File Photo