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Resident urges investigation into volunteer fire department management
Summary
A Newington resident told the council she is worried about the volunteer fire department’s management and certification of personnel, urging a town or state investigation; the town manager and councilors explained oversight rests with an elected fire commission and the council’s role is primarily fiscal.
Candace Butterfield, a Newington resident, told the Town Council during public participation that she has “concerns about the fire department and who’s managing the fire department,” citing multiple lawsuits and appointments she said involved members who lacked required certifications. She said taxpayers ultimately paid settlements and urged the council to investigate or ask the state to step in.
Town Manager Al responded that Connecticut law allows municipalities to have a separately elected three-member board of fire commissioners that is responsible for overseeing a volunteer fire department and appointing the chief. He said the council’s authority is limited to appropriating funds for operations and capital and does not include day-to-day hiring, firing or discipline of volunteer members.
Councilors echoed the manager’s explanation. Councilor Jacob said prior councils have discussed concerns about the department and suggested Butterfield attend fire commission meetings to raise issues directly. Deputy Mayor Marada noted the public may attend the fire commissioners’ meetings and encouraged engagement. Several councilors said they have raised concerns privately and through the budget process but emphasized the statutory separation of duties.
The exchange clarified the distinction between operational oversight (fire commissioners) and fiscal oversight (town council). Council members advised residents concerned about appointments, certifications or conduct to participate in fire commission meetings, to research candidates for commissioner, and, where appropriate, to use the ballot box to affect change. Butterfield said that if the town does not investigate, her next step would be to request action from the state of Connecticut.
Next steps: the council did not take formal action at the meeting; members directed residents to bring specific complaints to the fire commissioners and to the town manager’s office for follow-up.
