Residents urge visible credentials for solicitors and question fire overtime use

Meriden — During public comment at the Oct. 23 Meriden Public Safety Committee meeting, two residents urged clearer credentialing for solicitors and raised questions about fire-department operations and overtime.

Holly, representing neighborhood concerns, thanked Lieutenant Cardona for managing NI staffing and said the NI unit’s coverage has been reduced but that Chief Rosato had reassured the council staffing would resume; she said a follow-up with the chief is scheduled for early November.

Dan Zaborowski (39 Fiesta Heights) described an incident in which a solicitor visited his neighborhood and suggested that, in addition to a permit, solicitors carry a visible badge residents can check. ‘‘These people who have these soliciting permits should also have a badge with them so people can see who they are,’’ he said. Zaborowski recommended that once credentials are issued, emergency communications also be able to verify them so dispatchers know whether a caller’s report involves an authorized solicitor.

Zaborowski also raised concerns about the fire department’s use of large apparatus and overtime, saying the city currently incurs about $750,000 in fire overtime and suggesting the committee consider options such as station consolidation to control costs. He praised Officer Witkin and said police response in his neighborhood has generally been strong.

Committee members did not vote on ordinances or policy changes related to soliciting or fire operations; councilors asked staff to take comments under advisement and explore procedural or budgetary follow-ups.