As expected, selectmen fired Town Manager Michael Coughlin last week, citing a breakdown in communication and trust during his brief tenure. The board’s unanimous vote took effect March 20. Coughlin, who came to Cohasset in August and was suspended with pay in February, said he intends to fight his dismissal. While the board complained of Coughlin’s lack of diplomacy and inability to work with citizen boards, and of numerous employee contracts he signed without notifying selectmen, Coughlin contends he was fired for his disagreement with the water commissioners’ plan for a private company to run the water department under a 20-year contract. “Fighting for Cohasset got me fired, and I will fight to clear my name in court,” he said. Coughlin, who had moved to town, said he also may run for a seat on the Water Commission. - Johanna Seltz