The Tisbury fire chief is threatening legal action against the town after he was apparently terminated by the select board in a closed-door meeting Thursday night.

Greg Leland has been on paid administrative leave since July. The chief, who was promoted to the top position in 2020, was being investigated by the town’s legal counsel for reasons that have not been made public.

The Tisbury select board met in executive session Thursday in to consider the “discipline and dismissal of and complaints or charges brought against a public employee,” according to the posted notice. The notice also stated the board would not reconvene in public.

In an email Friday, Tisbury town administrator Jay Grande confirmed that Mr. Leland will no longer be employed effective Monday. Mr. Grande said he and his board had no further comment. 

In a brief statement issued Friday, Mr. Leland said the termination was without cause and in violation of his contract.

“I intend to pursue legal action to enforce my contract,” the statement said. “It is yet another example of mismanagement by this board in violation of their oaths to residents of Tisbury to manage in the best interest of the town.” 

Invoices released last week show the town has spent more than $20,000 to investigate the chief. Town attorneys considered termination hearings, held interviews with the chief and witnesses, and reviewed harassment complaints, a union grievance and claims of a hostile work environment from a former EMT, the invoices show. 

In his statement Mr. Leland defended his record as fire chief.

“I have shown dedication in many ways, working to save a business on Memorial Day weekend from closure by stopping the spread of fire and preventing further damage to the structure without closing the business, at Havenside apartments,” the statement said in part. “I have worked to professionalize the department and hold employees accountable, which is likely the cause of my termination . . . I am confident I will prevail in the end but am disappointed at the lack of fairness that has been shown to me in this process.” 

Mr. Leland and his attorney Kate Feodoroff both declined further comment Friday.