Seymour committee hears concerns over proposed fire-department ordinance; public hearing set for Feb. 17

The Seymour Ordinance Committee on Monday took public comment and engaged in extended debate over proposed changes to the town’s fire-department ordinance, including a proposal to change chief appointment terms and new language on town employees joining the department. The committee voted to set a public hearing on the ordinance for Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.

Paul Edwards, a resident who spoke during public comment, urged the committee not to lock fire commissioners into a single three‑year appointment for chiefs, saying that a strict three‑year requirement could create promotion bottlenecks and unwanted vacancies. “Just giving the fire commissioners only a three‑year choice is problematic,” Edwards said, adding he plans to submit alternate ordinance language that would give commissioners more options.

Brandon Dos Santos, president of Great Hill Hose, presented consolidated feedback from roughly 15 members of his company and urged the committee to (1) allow town employees to serve while training with a single house so they learn its equipment and procedures, and (2) avoid what members view as an excessive three‑year chief term. “We suggest waving any like social requirements such as like company events for eligibility,” Dos Santos said, arguing that town employees should be able to join one house to receive hands‑on training.

Long‑time volunteer Jean Eis, who said she has served in the volunteer department for 57 years, told the committee the department already uses annual reviews and that practice—usually two‑year terms in practice—has worked historically. “Every year the commissioners…review who wants to lay out all the requirements for the chief,” Eis said, stressing the role of annual review as a check on leadership.

Several committee members and attendees proposed a compromise of two‑year chief appointments with annual reviews and the ability to remove a chief midterm if necessary. Supporters of the compromise said two years would provide more continuity for multi‑year projects while preserving oversight. Former fire commissioner Edward Willis said chiefs commonly serve more than one year in practice and supported the two‑year approach as a pragmatic middle ground.

The committee also weighed whether to widen membership beyond town employees. Some members warned that opening membership to outside employees would raise questions about gear compliance and liability; Commissioner Christian Miller said there is a statute that can require employers to compensate employees who leave work to respond to calls. Speakers emphasized that any expanded membership should include strict equipment checks and consistent training across both houses.

The ordinance language under discussion includes multiple sections: enlistment and qualifications for volunteers, membership definitions, and the appointments of officers and chiefs. Committee members agreed to move the ordinance to a public hearing on Feb. 17 so residents and fire‑department stakeholders can offer further comments before the committee drafts final language.

The committee did not vote on the ordinance itself; the scheduled public hearing is the next formal step in the process.