Town Council Greenlights Grant Application for More Firefighters

FD Lt. Andrew Rennie makes the case for Assistant Fire Chief hire. PETER PROHASKA PHOTO

Southington Fire Department officials raised concerns about under-staffing in the wake of a recent blaze at Chuck and Eddie’s Used Auto Parts. On Monday night, June 8, Chief Scott Lee came before the Town Council to ask again for additional support for the Department.

The case was made in a power point presentation put together by Captain Daniel Comen, who Lee described as the department’s go-to man for his grant-writing skill. That skill will be put to the test again as grant applications were approved by the Council.

The primary grant in question is the federal SAFER (Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) program, run through FEMA. Connecticut communities have mostly been excluded from the money in recent years. In 2023, for example, zero dollars went to Connecticut communities. Mansfield, West Haven and Middletown got grants for FY 2024. Southington received grants for hiring in 2015 and 2021.

Should FEMA award a SAFER grant to Southington, the plan is to hire 12 firefighters, bringing the department to what proponents say are minimum safety levels. Comen suggested that reducing the need for overtime pay would offer some cost savings, but the main thrust of his plea was that the safety of firefighters as well as the community was at stake.

Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Tim Wilk described Department members as “discouraged and beleagured,” and suggested more staff would aid morale while meeting national safety standards and reducing response times, especially as the number of simultaneous calls grows. Lee said there were five or six such incidents on Monday alone.

A request made earlier this year for three additional firefighting hires was rejected by the Board of Finance and the Town Council in the course of its budget decision-making.

Comen said that, while there has been some improvement in response times, the department would like to halve those times, particularly in Southington’s south end. Relying on mutual aid to fill in gaps in coverage is not sustainable, he added, since every surrounding communities face similar staff shortfalls and their first duty is to their own towns.

Volunteers firefighters, the traditional backstop for many Connecticut communities like Southington, have dwindled in number in recent years. Lee said that volunteers who work full-time jobs and have families and other obligations aren’t always available as needed.

The question of whether to authorize the SAFER application led to a debate among Town Council members. Tony Morrison, a Republican, and Chris Palmieri, a Democrat, found common ground in concerns about how the Town, already facing difficult budget decisions, would be able to fund the roles once the grant runs out. Palmieri also asked whether it was appropriate to effectively overrule the Board of Finance’s decision, a move which generally requires six votes.

Several other Council members spoke of the need to fund public safety and supported the proposal. The Council eventually voted 7-2 to allow for the SAFER application, with Morrison and Councillor Jim Morelli voting against the motion.

One stipulation was added to the approval, that the hires would begin in July 2027, when state law regarding municipal employee retirement benefits changes. Town Manager Alex Ricciardone called the new law a “game-changer” for its potential to save the town money and strongly recommended holding off on new hires until it takes effect.

The Council could also, per the discussion, refuse the grant money if it believed it could not meet the financial requirements for the positions.

Other First Responder Actions

 

In a related discussion, the Council voted unanimously to approve an application for a Federal Department of Transportation grant for equipment that can help reduce emergency response times and provide better real-time information. The grant would be $440,000, with a 20% cost share for the Town, divided between Police and Fire.

Chief Lee also made his own case for hiring an Assistant Fire Chief. In his testimony he cited a range of administrative tasks he has no choice but to take on himself, some of which would ordinarily be the purview of a subordinate. He mentioned in passing that he has not had a day off since October due to the scope of his current duties.

Lee’s ask was supported by Andrew Rennie, a Lieutenant with Engine Company 1, who passionately described Lee’s care for his department members and the community he serves as he argued for funding the Assistant role.

The Council voted to table the issue on a 5-4 vote.

The Council also formally asked Ricciardone to seek ways to facilitate cooperation between the Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Information Technology office, in order to reduce costs and find efficiencies where possible.

Additional Developments

In other events, a public hearing on adding definitions to the sewer code opened and closed with no public comment. The new definitions are meant to remove hardships for residents who may have to hook up to the municipal sewer system in the event of a septic failure, and to encourage new buildings to use the system.

The possibility of a new industrial development at 682 Curtiss Street hit a road bump when it emerged that the landowner was unwilling to contribute toward the costs of a new road project. Preliminary engineering studies done by Town staff estimated a cost of $450,000. While the cost could potentially be offset by a STEAP grant, the Council opted to table the matter for now. Another possible developer is also interested, according to Councillor Mike DelSanto, who suggested that future tax revenue from development in the industrially-zoned area could cover the Town’s initial outlay.

Finally, a proclamation honoring Donald A. Dorman, the decorated Southington Airman who perished and disappeared during World War II, was read into the record by Council Chair Paul Chaplinsky. Events honoring Dorman’s life, service and sacrifice will be ongoing at locations around town on June 22 and 23.

Rep. Christopher Poulos Offers his Take on Recent Legislative Session

The Connecticut State Capitol Building WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

After the Connecticut legislative session wrapped up on May 6, the Outsider sent a questionnaire to all the members of the Southington delegation asking them to comment on four topics: bills that passed that they felt Southington residents should welcome; bills that passed that Southington residents should be wary of; bills that did not pass; and their experience of the recent session.

We will print one set of answers each week. The third set of replies was submitted by Representative Christopher Poulos, who represents Connecticut's 81st House District.

1. Bills Southington residents should welcome

Several bills passed this session that I believe Southington residents should welcome because of the direct impact they could have on our community, particularly when it comes to affordability, municipal support, education, workforce development, and services for veterans.

One measure that will impact Southington was SB 1, the state budget implementer bill. In addition to statewide affordability initiatives like expanding property tax credits, exempting Social Security income from the state income tax, and reducing costs on certain everyday purchases, the budget also delivered an additional $1.015 million in supplemental education and municipal funding to Southington. That support is intended to help ease pressure on local property taxpayers. At a time when families continue to face high costs for groceries, utilities, and housing, I believe maintaining strong state support for municipalities is critical.

Another important bill was HB 5406, the Connecticut HERO Act. This legislation included several meaningful initiatives to support veterans and military families, including expanded recognition programs, DMV fee waivers, improved school transitions for military children, and a review of expanded dental care access for veterans.

I was especially proud that Southington played a role in helping elevate the dental benefit discussion included in the bill. Members of the Southington Veterans Committee helped bring attention to the challenges many veterans face in accessing affordable dental care after their service. Their advocacy reinforced the importance of studying and improving these benefits at the state level. Southington has a strong and active veterans community, and I believe the HERO Act reflects our continued commitment to honoring and supporting those who served our country.

I would also highlight HB 5003, which focused on workforce development and strengthening Connecticut’s workforce pipeline. The bill included initiatives supporting teachers, nurses, paraeducators, first responders (police, fire, and EMS), and veterans entering the workforce, while also investing in job training and recruitment efforts. For Southington, where employers and small businesses continue working to fill critical positions, these investments could help strengthen our local economy and support workforce needs for years to come.

2. Bills residents should be wary of

One bill that I believe Southington residents should pay close attention to is HB 5350, the cannabis expansion bill that would significantly loosen restrictions on THC potency in Connecticut. The bill removes THC caps on cannabis flower and concentrates, raises THC limits in infused beverages, and expands the sale of new cannabis products. Supporters argue the changes would help Connecticut businesses compete with neighboring states, but opponents raised serious concerns about public health and youth exposure.

During debate, lawmakers from both parties expressed concerns about the potential mental health impacts of higher-potency cannabis, particularly on teenagers and young adults. Concerns included increased risks of addiction, psychosis, impaired driving, and accidental overconsumption. Some legislators pointed to studies showing increases in psychiatric emergency room visits among adolescents following marijuana legalization in other states.

For communities like Southington, where families and schools are already working hard to address youth mental health and substance abuse challenges, many residents may understandably question whether expanding access to stronger cannabis products is moving too quickly without enough safeguards in place. While the state should absolutely crack down on illegal and unregulated products, I believe there are legitimate concerns about whether removing potency limits could create unintended public health and safety consequences.

3. Bills that did not pass but are worth noting

One bill that did not pass this session, but that residents and small business owners should still be aware of, was HB 5378. The proposal sought to create a new option for small businesses to purchase health coverage through self-funded Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements, or MEWAs. The goal was to allow small employers, nonprofits, and trade organizations to pool together to increase bargaining power and potentially lower healthcare costs.

Supporters argued the bill could provide much-needed relief as Connecticut’s small-group insurance market continues to shrink, with fewer insurers participating and premiums continuing to rise. Many small businesses have struggled to maintain affordable coverage for employees, and advocates viewed HB 5378 as a way to expand options and improve affordability.

Although the bill ultimately did not advance, the debate highlighted the ongoing challenge of making healthcare more affordable for Connecticut’s small businesses and working families.

4. What the legislative process is really like

What I’ve learned during my time in Hartford is that the legislative process is far more collaborative, detailed, and people-driven than most residents ever get to see. Behind every bill are countless conversations with lawmakers from both parties, municipal leaders, advocates, small business owners, educators, veterans, and residents who simply want their voices heard.

This past session reinforced for me that good policy happens when you stay accessible and grounded in your community. Whether I was advocating for increased municipal aid for Southington, supporting investments in education, working alongside the Southington Veterans Committee on portions of the HERO Act, or discussing concerns around healthcare affordability and public safety, the most productive conversations were always centered on practical solutions rather than politics.

I also gained a greater appreciation for how much work goes into balancing competing priorities. The state budget process, in particular, involved extensive bipartisan negotiation to meet the needs of communities across Connecticut. More than 55% of Republicans in both chambers joined Democrats in supporting the budget. While no budget process is perfect, it was an example of lawmakers working together to find common ground and keep Connecticut’s core services and municipal support stable. At the same time, there are always tradeoffs that require careful consideration.

That reality shows up throughout the legislative process. Sometimes a bill that a legislator or delegation may not fully support still becomes law because it advances priorities that benefit other regions of the state. For example, an initiative designed for dense urban areas may address challenges that are very different from those facing suburban towns like Southington. Part of the job is understanding those distinctions, advocating for your community, and still respecting the broader needs of the state as a whole.

At the same time, not every good idea becomes law. In those cases, lawmakers often reflect on where a proposal fell short and consider ways to improve it for a future session.

For me, the experience has been both humbling and motivating. Representing Southington in Hartford is a responsibility I take seriously, and every conversation — whether at the Capitol, a school event, a ribbon cutting, or while knocking on doors — serves as a reminder of who I’m there to represent.

BOE Approves Staff Cuts, Pay-to-Play Athletics Fee, to Bridge Budget Gap

District administrators and the Board of Education at their May 28 meeting. TOWN OF SOUTHINGTON VIDEO SCREENSHOT

The Board of Education met this past Thursday evening to decide which personnel and services would be cut from the district’s budget in order to accommodate a $1.6 million reduction recently approved by Town Council. The Board voted - with just one modification - to approve a set of reductions drawn up by Superintendent Steve Madancy and presented at the reallocation meeting by Director of Business & Finance Jennifer Mellitt. (A complete recording of the meeting can be found here.)

The lion’s share of the reduction – just over $1.5 million – would come from the elimination, either through layoffs or retirements, of 22 existing teaching and staff positions, as well as four new lines that the Board had sought to add. All told, ten paraeducators, nine teachers, three math and literacy specialists, two custodial staff, and 1.5 administrative assistant lines would be eliminated from the budget plan that originally passed. Currently the district has 1,189 staff, which means that the cut would amount to about a 2% reduction in all personnel.

A bit more than $100,000 in savings would also accrue from the cancellation of certain educational software subscriptions, and the trimming of PSAT testing supplies. A $63,307 line item for student Chromebook insurance would also be cut.

Another portion of the budget gap will be made up through the imposition of a new fee for students who participate in sports. According to Madancy, the fee would be $125 per sport per season for high school athletes, with a cap of $500 for a family. For middle school competitors, the fee would be $50 per season, with a $200 family cap. Several neighboring towns already have a ‘pay-to-play’ fee in place to cover the costs of transportation to and from athletic events. The Superintendent said that students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will be exempt from the charge.

The main change the Board made to the Superintendent’s proposed plan was to keep the number of Special Education administrators at four, rather than reduce it to three. Several members of the Board drew a line in the sand when the proposal was floated, saying that while all the cuts were hard to accept, this one would go too far, putting the work of the Special Education department at great risk.

“The administrators are so overwhelmed with PPT’s and case loads that I cannot accept that cut,” said Board member Terri Carmody. Her colleagues Sean Carson and Cecil Whitehead argued at length that the line should be restored. Various Board members also cited the crisis which the Special Education department experienced during the years of the COVID pandemic, and ongoing efforts to recover from it, as a reason why the position should be kept in place.

After a back-and-forth with Madancy and Mellitt, the Board fixed on the allocation for substitute teachers as an area where a commensurate cut could be made that would allow the fourth Special Ed coordinator to remain while still meeting the $1.6 million targeted reduction.

A final trim to the budget of $833,934 that the Board voted to approve was in effect an accounting maneuver, one that should not affect the staffing or operations of the District in any meaningful way.

In May, the State Legislature passed a bill that would direct millions in additional Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funds to municipalities across the state, with Southington due to receive $833,934. In its final budget, the Town Council voted to reduce the school system’s budget by that same amount, thus in effect converting the ECS payment into a general budget subsidy designed to reduce the burden on local taxpayers. The District now plans to take this sum out of its self-insurance fund, and replenish it once the check from the state arrives.