No Action as Commission Remains Quiet on Fire Chief Investigation

It’s been more than six weeks since the town first began investigating an incident between Southington Fire Chief Harold “Buddy” Clark and volunteer firefighter Steven Bull, but members of the Southington Board of Fire Commissioners are remaining quiet as the town’s internal investigation continues.

The commission met behind closed doors with Mark Sciota, an executive session that lasted for over an hour, during a meeting at the on Thursday but returned and did not discuss the investigation.

Bull, who had been on indefinite suspension following the incident, was reinstated this week according to fire officials.

“There’s nothing I can say right now,” said Commissioner Dolores Longo on Thursday evening. “The investigation is still open.”

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Sources close to the commission said Thursday that the closed-door session led to some “heated discussions” regarding the situation after they were briefed on the investigation and indicated that commissioners had varied opinions on the matter and how to handle the situation.

Commissioners declined to comment on the case Thursday evening. Clark has also declined comment on the case and incident.

The after Bull, a volunteer daytime firefighter with , complained that Clark had grabbed and injured his wrist at a fire scene on Darling Street.

The investigation . The police report was released to the media on July 13, indicating that evidence to not match Bull’s accusations.

“I was not able to locate any witness to corroborate the alleged events reported by Steven Bull,” . “In his own admission, he said that Captain (Peter) Kurtz was the only person that was in that area when the incident between Bull and Chief Clark occurred.”

Following the police investigation, . He said earlier this month that the internal investigation is typical anytime a public official is involved in a criminal investigation, regardless of the outcome.

Once the investigation is complete, Sciota will report the findings to the Board of Fire Commissioners, who will then be responsible for determining whether any further action is necessary.

Sciota and commissioners have not said when they anticipate the investigation will be completed.

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