TIVERTON – After one year on the job, Tiverton Fire Chief Joseph Mollo resigned from his position, effective immediately, on Thursday, June 4.

The announcement came during the town council’s virtual meeting on June 8, in which interim Town Administrator Christopher Cotta said that he had accepted the resignation.

“I believe it’s self-explanatory,” Mr. Cotta said.

Naming Capt. Bruce Reimels as the acting chief in the meantime, Mr. Cotta said the town will need to begin advertising for the position. Capt. Reimels had previously served in that role for eight months before Chief Mollo was sworn in on June 10, 2019.

Though Chief Mollo had submitted his letter of resignation to Mr. Cotta, councilor Nancy Driggs said that she and the rest of the council had been asked not to accept it. But because Mr. Cotta – the person who handles all personnel matters – had already received and accepted it, Town Solicitor Mike Marcello said that his decision was final.

“For the record, I would not have accepted it,” Ms. Driggs said.

Before coming to Tiverton, Chief Mollo had served as the head of the Smithfield Fire Department for 10 years before retiring in 2012. Though disputes over a proposed salary increase and continued lack of an emergency medical technician certification had surfaced six months into his contract, Chief Mollo’s performance was never reported to be in question among councilors during his time with the town.

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