BANGOR, Maine — A former Orono fire chief has settled his discrimination lawsuit against the town for $250,000, attorneys involved in the case said Wednesday.
Norman “Buddy” Webb, 65, of Orono sued the town in 2014, alleging he was fired by Town Manager Sophie Wilson on June 14, 2012, not for cause but because of his age, a disability and in retaliation for filing a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission, according to court documents.
“Mr. Webb tells me that he feels vindicated,” Webb’s attorney, A.J. Greif of Bangor, said Wednesday in an email. “He remains proud of his stellar career with the Orono Fire Department and service to the Town of Orono. He met many terrific people who worked for the town or the University of Maine during that time period and is glad that his dispute with the town is now behind him and behind the town.”
Webb worked for the Orono Fire Department for 29 years.
Edward Benjamin, the Portland attorney representing the town in the lawsuit, said Wednesday that the town “is glad to see the matter finally resolved.”
“The town still maintains that Mr. Webb’s termination was in no way related to his age or [retaliation for filing a complaint], as alleged, but the chance that an award of lost wages to Mr. Webb at trial could have significantly exceeded the liability coverage available to the town for such damages made settlement of the case the most prudent course to avoid unnecessary exposure of taxpayer funds,” he said in an email.
Webb had sought compensatory damages, including back pay and pay he would have received had he not been fired, and attorney’s fees.
In November, U.S. Magistrate Judge John Nivison ruled the lawsuit could go forward on the age discrimination and retaliation counts. He dismissed the disability count.
A trial date had not been set but was expected to be scheduled for spring.