The Torrington Board of Finance on Wednesday authorized a $31,500 transfer from the city contingency fund to pay training costs for four firefighter recruits attending the spring academy.

The motion, moved by Board of Finance member Jim Wright and seconded by member Deb Iannacito, passed unanimously. "This request is based on the fact that the new recruits will be starting the Fire Academy in the beginning of February," Fire Chief Borden told the board, explaining the department lacks funds in its training line after unexpected staffing changes.

The request follows earlier budget decisions that funded only one vacancy when the fiscal year began; the fire department now expects to fill five vacancies and needs funding for four recruits. The mayor (unnamed) said the contingency appropriation at adoption was $175,000, and after a prior contingency draw of about $16,800 the available balance before this vote was roughly $158,000. Approving $31,500 for training would leave a contingency balance of approximately $126,665.

Board members questioned whether salary savings from vacancies would offset the cost. Member Wendy Traub noted that vacancies can reduce payroll costs but may increase overtime or require hiring back staff at straight time; Chief Borden confirmed the department is not realizing large salary savings because staffing needs persist. The chief said the $31,044 request equates to roughly $7,885 per recruit.

Members also asked about recovering training costs when recruits leave. Chief Borden said the department tries to pursue reimbursement from individuals through small claims actions but that success is limited. "In the police department, there's legislation that allows billing other police departments, but for the fire department legislation does not exist," the chief said. The board heard that the city contract contains a three-year reimbursement provision and that the human resources director has added language to recent offer letters to require repayment if a recruit departs before fulfilling the contractual period, though collecting those amounts remains difficult in practice.

The motion text, cited by the board, authorized use of contingency funds "to cover the training expenses for four firefighter recruits," and referenced Fire Chief Borden's memo dated Dec. 30, 2024 and earlier City Council approval of the expenditure. With no further questions, the board voted in favor and adjourned the special meeting at about 3:16 p.m.

Board members instructed department chiefs to continue holding discretionary spending in other line items to limit year-end overruns and preserve contingency for departments that may face unavoidable deficits.