Superior Court Judge Vincent Grasso has dismissed the lawsuit brought by Great Bay Regional EMS against Tuckerton Fire Chief Lee Eggert and Tuckerton borough. On Friday, Great Bay Trustee President Rich Bethea and the squad’s attorney were told their lawsuit attempting to remove Eggert from the Tuckerton Volunteer Fire Co. lacked merit.

Eggert said the lawsuit brought in March of this year was retaliatory and an attempt to smear his name. “It’s been six months of this, and that’s not right,” he said. “Great Bay had no business telling Tuckerton what to do,” he added.

Eggert’s own lawsuit filed in 2010 against Great Bay trustees of the four towns served by Great Bay and assorted officials, as well as against Squad Capt. Al Gentless, is still winding its way through the court process. Eggert is suing for actions taken that removed him from the squad.

In response to the lawsuits, Tuckerton adopted an ordinance in July of this year to withhold half the town’s contributions to both Squad 85 and the Tuckerton Fire Co. until the lawsuits are resolved.  —P.J.