At the beginning of August, rumors that something had gone haywire at the Fire Station spread through Town faster than a speeding fire truck.

The following day the Town website announced a special executive session of the Select Board to meet August 5, a Wednesday, "to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer."

At the meeting, the Board voted to terminate Mike Grillo from his position as Fire Chief as of August 7. The Board's reasoning is outlined in The Firing of Chief Grillo and on the Town's website.

Former Assistant Chief Chris Colonair agreed to stay on as Acting Chief while the Board determined the way forward. At a Select Board Working Session following Grillo's dismissal, the consensus among the Board and the Acting Chief was that the department maintain the level of service that has been developed over the past year.

Town Clerk and Fireman Douglas Miner said at the working session that "Mike and Chris have left the firehouse ten times better off than a year ago. The blueprint Grillo brought is a good one and should continue." He added that Chris' appointment as Acting Chief is the first time a career medic is in charge of the Sandisfield Fire Department.

Later on, Chris told The Times that his goal was to maintain the current programs "and not give people whiplash. We've had no fallout from the firefighters for the change in leadership. We retained 100 percent of the firefighters, and they all stand by to support the town and each other. The department consists of a serious cadre of very experienced people."

He added that he had known Mike for ten years, for a time as his boss and more recently as his assistant at the fire station. He said, "Mike is doing well and looking for other opportunities."

Asked by The Times for a statement, Grillo responded with an email that he asked be shared with the Town. His statement is located here.

Search for New Chief

The Select Board is considering a future town information meeting to determine what the Town desires in a chief. For instance, does the Town like the model of full-time chief? Should the chief's responsibilities be divided between an anchor position and an administrator to handle paperwork? Should a chief be on duty 24/7? It might be that two positions would have to be posted, that of Fire Chief at $75,000 and Firefighter/EMT at $51,000. A lot of budget decisions need to be made.

Select Board Chair Steve Seddon said, "It's great to promote from within, but we do need to open the position to the outside. We'll see who applies and their qualifications."

Acting Chief Colonair said that he would be an applicant. He told The Times later that even if he was not selected as Chief, "I'd stay on the job. The department is in a significantly better place than over the last few years. I don't take lightly that the former group that led the department simply walked out the door. We didn't know where to look for stuff, paperwork. There was no continuity. So if not the chief, I'll at least stay to help."

Grillo in Connecticut

In a report published August 7, The Berkshire Eagle summed up Mike Grillo's time prior to his hiring in Sandisfield. It is reprinted here with permission of The Eagle.

"Grillo was hired in June 2025 for his 'qualifications, professional experience and the Select Board's confidence in his ability to move the department forward,' according to a Select Board statement at the time.

"At the time of his hiring, Grillo had mounting debt from his landscaping business and several civil lawsuits against him. Select Board members previously told The Eagle they were aware of both the civil litigation and his financial troubles.

"Last fall, he was arrested in his home state of Connecticut on 34 tax-related charges, including felony larceny. He's accused of failing to pay wages and bills for the landscaping and facilities management companies he operated before coming to Sandisfield.

"Town officials have credited Grillo with helping lower the town's tax rate by identifying missed revenue opportunities, including revamping the town's billing system.

"Grillo is the third fire chief to leave the department since 2023, when Ralph Morrison departed after 40 years following nine formal town charges alleging misconduct, negligence and self-dealing that stemmed from a fire truck rollover accident.

"[Morrison] was replaced by Henry Fristik, who served for less than a year, citing a hostile work environment as his reason for leaving."

The Firing of Chief Grillo