Fire Chief Defends Staffing Request Before Board of Finance

Fire Chief Harold L. Clark knew it wouldn’t be a popular move to add three new firefighter positions in his budget proposal for the upcoming year, but it wasn’t a decision he took lightly.

Against the recommendation of both the Town Manager and Board of Finance, Clark said he included them in the request along with a new fire truck because it was something the town needs to improve fire response times and better serve the community.

Clark defended his proposal during the Board of Finance budget workshop Wednesday evening at Town Hall and stood by it even when board members told him they would not be able to grant the request this year.

“I felt strongly enough that we needed them and that was why I presented them in this year’s budget,” he said.

The proposal presented by Town Manager Garrison Brumback had already removed the positions, which would have led to an additional $178,000 in salary obligations, but board members including Ed Pocock II and John Moise questioned the reason Clark added the positions in the first place.

The budget presented, a $3.8 million request, represents a 2.1 percent increase for the department during the 2011-12 fiscal year.

With overtime costs rising in the request – fire department staff attributed the costs to salary increases and response needs – and no other reductions in the budget, Moise said it was difficult to justify adding an additional 3 staff members.

“It’s hard to justify overtime to the general public when it stays where it is and to ask for three firefighters on top of it,” Pocock added. Pocock then said he supports the overtime request and understands the reasons for the costs.

Clark told the board that he listened to the advice of the board but added the positions as part of an effort to enhance response times in the south end of town. The three firefighters would be stationed at the Milldale Station, Co. 3, during the daytime shift Monday through Friday.

“I was told not to embarrass myself by asking for more manpower this year,” Clark said. “I’m not embarrassed at all with this request. What we are trying to do is improve services for the town of Southington.”