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Bethel fire captain asks board to reimburse $400 for damaged hearing aid; motion withdrawn as alternatives explored
Summary
Captain Wayne Bryant told the board he paid $400 out of pocket to repair a hearing aid damaged during a youth demonstration and requested reimbursement; a motion to reimburse was made then withdrawn after a commissioner suggested an alternative route and the board asked staff to pursue non-budget solutions.
Captain Wayne Bryant of the Bethel Fire Department told the board he attended a youth fire-prevention event on Oct. 9 and later discovered one of his hearing aids was damaged while he was demonstrating turnout gear. "One of my hearing aids was missing ... it was flat as a pancake," Bryant said, adding he paid $400 to have it repaired.
Bryant asked the town to consider reimbursing the cost. Manager said Bryant had submitted receipts and that the town had discussed redirecting the request to the Bethel Fire Association; staff had received a request in November for the board’s consideration.
A commissioner moved to cover the repair cost, but after Commissioner Blunt offered an alternative way to recover the $400 that would not involve town funds, the mover withdrew his motion. Mayor confirmed the motion was withdrawn and there was no formal vote to reimburse that night.
Manager and several commissioners noted the legal and precedent concerns of compensating for personal items and suggested the town pursue the Fire Association or other non-town funding first. Staff will follow up as requested by the board.
