And Then There Were None

Former Fire Chief Paul Wetmore Sr., Battalion Chief
Paul Wetmore Jr., and Jr.'s son, Paul III -- the wildcard.
Courtesy/photo

By Sharon Bass

On Sunday, Paul Wetmore Jr. will put an end to a 60-year family tradition: being a Hamden firefighter. The 46-year-old battalion chief is saying goodbye -- and not so easily -- to the last quarter-century of his life. Sunday he retires.

Wetmore's son, Paul III, is the only possibility to revive the tradition. But that will have to wait a few years. He's only eight.

"It's definitely up to him," said Wetmore. "To be perfectly honest, he's like my brother who had no interest [in firefighting]. But he's young yet."

Wetmore is pretty young himself to be retiring. He said he realizes that and had a really hard time making the decision. He said he could have stayed another 10 years.

But Wetmore sees changes coming to the Hamden Fire Department, and feels he needs to get out now.

"I'm disappointed it's ending now. But I don't want to retire being miserable. I want to end my career on a good note when I have good feelings about the fire department," he said. "I think I'd be taking a chance with the current direction. I feel I've reached the end of my career. I've given all I can give.

"I can't picture myself working under the new proposed chief," he said. "When I look around the firehouse now, these guys are the cream of the crop. There's no question about it. I looked at the guys I was working with [Wednesday] night and I said, 'This is the best group of guys.'

"I have mixed emotions about leaving. I loved the fire department and I hate to leave it but I feel I've hit the end of my road," said Wetmore, who was named firefighter of the year in 1990 "on the night of my 30th birthday" by the Civitan Club.

That road started five Wetmore generations ago with his great great-grandfather. He was a member of the Pioneer Hose Company in the Highwood neighborhood. While still with the company, his son (Paul Wetmore Jr.'s great grandfather) joined up.

"The fire truck back then was basically like a cart, and they used to pull it six blocks and then another group of men would pull it the next six blocks. And then they'd hook it up on the trolley line to get it further up into town," said Wetmore.

His grandfather, a Hamden firefighter, was the superintendent of alarms (now called super of apparatus) until his retirement in 1968. His father, Paul Wetmore Sr., was fire chief from 1993 to 1996. And Wetmore Jr. had two uncles who were career firefighters here. His mother is Councilwoman Betty Wetmore.

Wetmore Jr. became a volunteer firefighter when he was 16, and joined the Hamden department in 1981 as a career fighter. He's served as a paramedic, lieutenant and captain, and for the last eight years has been battalion chief.

His last full shift was Wednesday night at Station 3 on Ridge Road. He said the guys whipped him up a farewell dinner of filet mignon, twice-backed potatoes and asparagus with homemade hollandaise sauce.

"It's funny. You say you'll put in 25 years and then do something else. But all of a sudden 25 years is here and then you just don't feel like [retiring]," said Wetmore.

"I absolutely treasure the time I had in the fire department. The experiences the fire department gave me I wouldn't trade for anything," he continued. "You get to deliver a baby or you get to save somebody -- really save somebody."

Wetmore said he plans to start his own business.

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Hard Acts to Follow

Area fire chiefs' resumes are being circulated around town to drive home Badamo's lack of credentials

By Sharon Bass

Mayor Craig Henrici said he hasn't budged on his decision to appoint Brian Badamo fire chief -- even though the move has created an inferno of opposition.

The anger is not confined to the firehouses, where many feel more competent and experienced contenders were unfairly skipped over. Some residents are pretty hot under the collar, too, and are passing around packets of information explaining why they think Badamo is not the right stuff. The packets, which were anonymously printed, contain the resumes of Badamo and three area fire chiefs, Hamden's job description for fire chief and a cover letter:

"Hamden Residents: Urgent Action Alert

Please join in providing citizen oversight for Mayor Henrici's nomination for Fire Chief, Brian Badamo -- review attached materials and take action.

Action Deadline: Friday, April 28, 4:30 p.m."

The letter implores folks to compare the qualifications of the chiefs from the three towns -- Wallingford, West Haven and North Haven -- to Badamo's. Then to call the mayor and the six at-large councilpeople to express their views about the appointment -- and to "take notes on your conversation."

The HDN also obtained retiring Fire Chief Jim Leddy's resume, and copies of letters written by Mayors Carl Amento and Lillian Clayman to the Legislative Council promoting their choices for fire chief.

On July 7, 1993, Clayman wrote about Paul Wetmore. "Paul has 38 years of firefighting experience. He has served as Acting Fire Chief since John Tramontano's retirement. He was the unanimous choice of the Fire Commission, who conducted a nation-wide search …" Wetmore got the job.

On Sept. 25, 1996, Clayman wrote about Tim Sullivan. "Tim is a 10-year veteran of the Hamden Fire Department. He served as Deputy Chief for three years and has served as Acting Fire Chief since Paul Wetmore's retirement … Tim also served 10 years with the Volunteer Fire Department leaving as Captain at Dunbar Hill. He is currently enrolled at the University of New Haven in Fire Administration …" Sullivan got the job.

Attached to Amento's May 7, 2002, letter is his appointment's (Jim Leddy) resume. Leddy joined the Hamden fire force in 1973, and was promoted to lieutenant, captain and battalion chief. He attended college but doesn't have a degree.

Hamden has 103 paid firefighters and about 50 or so volunteers. The fire chief's job pays just under $90,000. The department's annual budget is $9-plus million.

Peter Struble is Wallingford's fire chief. He has been with the department for 26 years -- the last six as chief -- according to his resume. He has associate's degrees in graphic communications and fire technology and administration, a bachelor's in fire science service management and is pursuing a master's in public administration at the University of New Haven. He is an adjunct professor at the university as well.

Struble, who is reportedly paid $113,000 a year, was a paramedic, a lieutenant and the assistant chief of training before clinching the top position. His department has a $5.6 million budget, and 63 career and 100 volunteer fighters.

Over in West Haven, Chief William Johnson gets paid $94,377 to command a force of 54 paid and 250 volunteers on a budget of $7.1 million. His resume states he has an associate's degree in fire administration, a bachelor's in education and a master's in fire science technology.

Johnson is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel, joining the West Haven Fire Department in 1966. He rose through all the ranks, he said during a phone interview, and "placed first in all my promotional exams."

Asked what makes a good fire chief, Johnson said, "He has to be a people person, first of all. He has to understand budgets, have knowledge of incident command, be able to train firefighters and direct them at a fire scene. You just don't throw water on a building.

"You have to make sure you have well-trained people. Their safety is your responsibility," he said.

Johnson said he is well aware of the contentious situation over Badamo's appointment. He said he's a good friend of the Badamo family. "Hey, give the kid a chance" at being fire chief, he said.

North Haven's top firefighter Vincent Landisio has an equally well-rounded resume. A bachelor's in physical education and a master's in fire science and administration. He oversees 30 career and 105 volunteer firefighters on $2.6 million a year. (His salary was not obtainable yesterday.)

Like the other chiefs, Landisio climbed the ladder rung by rung, starting off as a firefighter in 1983 and becoming chief three years ago.

As reported last week, the 32-year-old Badamo has no college education, was unable to make lieutenant and has had no supervisory experience. He is the assistant fire marshal.

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Yesterday's News

By Sharon Bass

The Beginning of a New Exodus

Last night, firefighter Scott Chasney and Deputy Police Chief Stephen Cahill inched one step closer to retirement. The Legislative Council OK'd lump sum payments for the men -- $35,000 and $40,500, respectively -- for accrued benefits. They're cashing out. Their last official day is June 30.

Many are predicted to follow because of unpopular changes expected in the new union contracts, which are currently being hashed out.

Police Chief Jack Kennelly said so far 11-13 cops -- a mix of patrol officers and management -- are retiring this year. About the same is predicted for the Fire Department. The exodus will further rock the town's fragile fiscal state.

Leaves With a Guarantee

Public Works Director John Busca approached the Council last night to explain why he was requesting a $99.5K transfer of funds. He said it was needed for overtime pay for leaf clean-up. Workers are contractually guaranteed 104 overtime hours apiece for picking up leaves.

Betty Wetmore. File photo

Councilwoman Betty Wetmore asked how those hours are put in. Busca said one hour extra per workday and eight hours on Saturdays, for eight weeks. The Council then launched into a discussion about contracting out the job, and how it didn't work last time around.

Four years ago, Hamden outsourced leaf collection thinking it would save money. "Unfortunately, that didn't materialize," said Scott Jackson, the mayor's chief aide.

"The town unilaterally decided to contract it out ignoring the unions," said Councilman John Flanagan. "So you have to be careful" when messing with employees' contracts.

Councilwoman Berita Rowe-Lewis ended the discussion with her question: Is overtime paid even if the hours aren't worked?

"It's guaranteed," Busca said.

BOE Looks to Outsource Grass, Snow

The Council's Education Committee considered the Board of Education's request for a bid waiver to hire a contractor to cut the grass and plow the snow around all the schools and the headquarters at 60 Putnam Ave. The item was met with resistance.

Wetmore said she was hesitant to vote on it because the Council would have no say over the terms of the deal or how it's carried out. But according to Councilman Jim Pascarella, the legislative body would have a say. Per town charter, any contract over $50,000 or with a term of more than one year needs Council approval.

Wetmore asked if the two workers who are now getting overtime for grounds maintenance would continue to do so if contractors were brought into the picture.

Assistant Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez said he didn't know, that it would be a union issue.

Councilwoman Carol Noble suggested the BOE hold off until next year since most landscapers already have their work schedules pretty set by now, and thus it would be tough to get a good deal.

"Can you really negotiate now?" she asked Hernandez.

He said it would still be cheaper. "We don't know exactly how much the savings would be," he said.

Councilman Matt Fitch sided with the school department. "What [the BOE is] asking for is reasonable. I think it would be foolish not to give them a chance," he said.

John Flanagan. File photo

"This looks to me like you're trying to undermine the unions," Flanagan said to Hernandez. And after the meeting the 2nd District councilman said, "I see an anti-union pattern and I'm not going to tolerate it. You can negotiate fairly."

Not Too Floody Here

While some towns got hammered with floods from Sunday's terrific downpour which crept into Monday, Public Works Director John Busca said, "We got away wonderful. I thought we were going to be buried. We were very, very fortunate. West Haven got murdered. New Haven got murdered."

John Busca. File photo

"All the flooding we had to deal with were minor," said Deputy Fire Chief Clark Hurlburt. "I didn't have any reports of anything major. Most of the [road] closures are in places that we expect to flood."

Willow and Hill streets and part of Paradise Avenue were closed Sunday. The Fire Department pumped out the water, while Public Works unplugged the catch basins of leaves and other debris. Busca said two "humongous" pumps housed at Meadowbrook sucked up the water under the Wilbur Cross Parkway.

Hurlburt said his department responded to 16 flood-related calls at homes and businesses between Sunday and Monday.

"We're happy there was nothing of significance," he said.

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April 21, 2006

Badamo, Objectively

Photo/Betsy Driebeek

The resume, the job requirements, the test scores

By Sharon Bass

Push aside opinions and spins about Assistant Fire Marshal Brian Badamo's suitability to be Hamden's next fire chief. Instead, look at the facts.

The HDN sent a Freedom of Information Act request to the town attorney for Badamo's scores on the lieutenant and assistant marshal tests, and the job descriptions for fire officers. In addition, we got a copy of Badamo's resume.

The Resume

Objective listed is fire chief. Professional experience is with the Hamden Fire Department. Badamo's job history is deputy fire marshal from 2004-present; firefighter/EMT/engineer/pump operator from 1997-2004. Volunteer firefighter/MRT/Explorer Captain/1st Lieutenant from 1996-1998.

Under education are East Haven High School, class of '92, and courses he took in 2004 at the state Department of Public Safety in hazardous materials, code enforcement and fire investigation.

Licenses and certifications include emergency medical technician, American Heart Association CPR/AED, firefighter I and II and 2Q restriction Connecticut driver's license. There are also eight "awards and recognition," such as letters of recognition from Fire Chief Jim Leddy for giving lifesaving CPR on separate occasions to a female and a male, both in cardiac arrest, and the AHA's Heart Saver Award in 2003.

Badamo lists the community service he has performed: Columbus Day Parade Committee, 2005; chair of the Sleeping Giant Classic Benefit Hockey Game, 2004-'05; and chair of the Toys for Tots fund drive for the Yale Children's Hospital.

The Job Requirements

The description for fire lieutenant calls for a minimum of five years of continuous active service as a paid Hamden firefighter. The general statement says, "Executes and puts into operation all orders and directions from superior officers to personnel under his direct command; when assigned to line duties shall have the following duties and responsibilities including, but not limited to: supervisory and skilled fire fighting and emergency work on an assigned shift; immediate responsibility for directing all activities of a fire company … responsibility for directing the crew en route to fires and at fires; taking charge of all fire fighting operations at a fire or an emergency until the arrival of a superior officer …"

There's also a written exam.

Fire captains need to have seven years' continuous service in Hamden, of which two consecutive years must be as a lieutenant. Captains supervise lieutenants and firefighters. Under "knowledge, skills and abilities," it says, "Complete knowledge of modern fire fighting tasks … complete knowledge of modern fire fighting equipment and fire prevention methods … a working knowledge of training methods and techniques; ability to establish and maintain effective work relations with supervisors and employees .. ability to maintain discipline, exercise sound judgement, and to lead and supervise fire fighters effectively."

The battalion chief must have been a captain for at least three consecutive years.

To become a deputy fire chief, one needs to have a bachelor's degree in fire technology or administration or a related field and eight years of "increasingly responsible experience in fire fighting, or any equivalent combination of education and experience."

The job description also says, "Thorough knowledge of effective supervisory practices is necessary. The ability to direct large scale operations of personnel and equipment under emergency conditions involving danger of loss of life and property."

The written qualifications for fire chief are "a four year degree from a recognized colleague [sic] or university in fire administration or a related field plus 10 years of progressively responsible fire service administration experience including at least five years in a supervisory capacity, OR, any combination of experience and training …"

The Hamden fire chief must have a "thorough ability to administer the activities of a municipal fire department and to supervise the work of fire personnel … thorough ability to make difficult decisions involving the safety of others and the protection of property …"

The Test Scores

On Jan. 8, 2004, Brian Badamo scored second highest of five candidates for assistant fire marshal. On Jan. 19, 2006, Badamo scored 17th out of 19 for lieutenant.

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Desperate Appeals

By Sharon Bass

Bernie Nitkin chairs the town's three-member Board of Assessment Appeals. He says the job is getting tougher -- and more personal.

As a result of last fall's revaluation -- which raised home values an average of 89 percent, and commercial 40 percent -- 495 folks went to the board this year to contest their new assessments. Not one piece of Hamden property went down in value.

"It's very difficult," said Nitkin, an accountant and the local Democrats' campaign treasurer last year. "What do you do when a senior citizen sits before you and says, 'I can't afford the taxes,' and how they're going to go higher.

"The problem is, that same complaint I myself have. The assessment is too high," he said.

According to Town Assessor Jim Clynes, 585 property owners filed an appeal; 10 percent were for commercial real estate. He said 90 didn't show up for their hearing, 373 were denied and 122 got their assessments lowered. The total amount sliced off was $2.5 million on both residential and commercial. That's $2.5 million off the town's grand list.

The 2005 reval was done by Vision Appraisal of Northboro, Mass.

"So many people came in concerned about their taxes," said Clynes. "They're so worried where the mil rate is going."

Nitkin said it's a dire situation.

"Something's going to have to be done down the road as far as taxes," he said. "This is a problem all over. I don't know how much more the taxpayers can handle. I don't see any out at all."

Mayor Stalls Badamo Vote

By Sharon Bass

The mayor's hotly contentious appointment for fire chief won't be voted on next Monday, April 24, after all. Mayor Craig Henrici said he doesn't know when he'll ask the Council to consider Brian Badamo to lead the department.

"We'll have to play it by ear," he said.

Henrici said he might send assistant Fire Marshal Badamo's resume et al to the councilpeople next month or the month after or even the month after. "I'm not sure. I just have to see. There's time here," he said.

Another possibility is for the mayor to give Badamo an interim appointment, which can be done for a max of 90 days. Henrici said he's not considering that move right now, but might at some point.

"That's my prerogative. Jimmy Leddy is still going to be the chief for two and half more months," he said. "There's no vacancy and there's no hurry."

There continues to be a flurry of opposition to Badamo becoming chief. He lacks the experience, education and supervisory experience most deem necessary for the top fire post.

Last December, Henrici made Public Works chief John Busca interim. That appointment was also contentious, but not nearly to the degree Badamo's is. On Feb. 6 -- after about a month or so on the job as an interim employee -- Busca was Council-approved nearly unanimously (John Flanagan was the only dissenting vote).

While councilpeople say they've been swamped with calls about Badamo -- overwhelmingly from those who are against the appointment -- Henrici said he's just gotten one call.

"It was in favor of it, that's it," he said. The mayor said he's heard nothing from the opposition, but four residents have asked him for Badamo's resume.

Councilman Jim Pascarella said he's gotten a couple of dozen of calls -- 90-95 percent opposed.

He and others from the legislative body were asked if the statements by Hamden police and fire chaplain Rev. Owen Sanderson about the abduction of a fellow firefighter by Badamo's unit have influenced their opinion.

"It has had no impact on my decision. I am still extremely concerned about the qualifications and his experience," said Pascarella. "At this stage I'm not planning to support this appointment." He said he thought the committee vote was next Monday.

Councilman Matt Fitch, laughing as he spoke, said he didn't believe it. "I am confidently standing by Brian, and [the story of the abduction] was a whole lot of nonsense. I am not concerned about that at all."

Why?

"Because I don't think it's true. I think you got the story wrong," he said.

Flanagan had a different take. "I've always known Owen to tell the truth," he said. He also said he recently got Badamo's resume from the mayor. "I didn't find what I was looking for in there -- experience and leadership. [Badamo] called me and asked to sit down and talk to me about it," he said.

When told the committee vote was delayed, Flanagan remarked, "I thought it was going to be on the committee agenda this Monday night. Are they putting it off again?"

"I had forgotten all about [the abduction incident]. In the fire marshal's office you're insulated from the firehouse stuff," said Councilman Bob Westervelt, a former fire marshal.

"I would only base my decision on the qualifications of the job," he said. "I haven't even seen his resume yet. I've only heard about what his qualifications are. What I've been doing is getting resumes of area fire chiefs to look at Brian's qualifications objectively."

Likewise, Ron Gambardella said the firehouse "prank" wouldn't impact his vote.

"That to me alone would not persuade me one way or another. That particular incident, even though I don't approve of it, I would not hold that against him in terms of forever causing him never to rise through the ranks," said Gambardella, one of just two Republican councilmembers. "His lack of experience is clearly something that calls into question why the mayor would present someone with so much controversy to the Council, to the town. His credibility is already called into question."

Like Henrici, Curt Leng said he knew nothing about the abduction.

"The first I had heard of the incident was when I read it in [the HDN]. It did cause some concern. I plan to talk to the mayor and to Brian about the incident and take it from there," Leng said. "I haven't changed my position at this time. I remain supportive of the mayor's appointment, but I plan on asking a good number of questions."

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A Prank Taken Too Far

Hamden's public safety chaplain says Badamo and crew apologized

By Sharon Bass

About four or five years ago late at night inside Fire Station #2 on Circular Avenue, Hamden firefighter Henry Puciato was abducted from his bed as he slept. He was put in the back of a pickup and driven away. He was then dumped on the street and left -- in his underwear only -- to walk back to the station. On his way, a cop saw Puciato and gave him a lift.

"He was traumatized. It would traumatize anybody. It would traumatize me," said Rev. Owen Sanderson, the Hamden police and fire chaplain and leader of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on Shepard Avenue. He said the above description is exactly what happened that night. He was called in to counsel Puciato.

"I never saw anything like this at the [police or fire departments]. You're bound to have some fun when you get a group of five or six people living together but I think this started out as a prank and got out of hand," said Sanderson.

There's more.

"It was the crew Brian Badamo worked with [that abducted Puciato]," the reverend said. Mayor Craig Henrici has just named Badamo, now assistant fire marshal, to be the next fire chief, which has drawn anger from within and outside the department. Badamo, 32, has no supervisory experience, could not make lieutenant and was turned down last year for assistant fire chief. His father, Ed Badamo, was deputy fire chief at the time of the abduction the reverend described.

"There were probably five people involved," Sanderson continued. "A group took [Puciato] out. They did leave him unclothed. It happened. The police didn't do anything about it. I counseled Henry Puciato because I married he and his wife. I've always been friends with him. I said to Henry, 'I know this is affecting you.'

"He explained exactly what happened. I just counseled him and said, 'Well, it will probably be handled in an administrative way and if they wish me to be present, have them give me a call,'" said Sanderson.

The reverend said he called a meeting with Puciato, Badamo, the other men in the unit and a few high-ranking officers. "The whole matter was discussed. Apologies were made and so forth," said Sanderson.

He said department officials also held an "administrative session" over the incident.

"There is an agreement that things like this would be handled in house. The police department felt this was an administrative matter to be handled within the fire department," said Sanderson. "Say it was someone in the recreation department. The police may have handled it differently. But in a public safety fraternal group, my supposition is they feel it was a situation where the administration of the fire department should stand in."

Mayor Craig Henrici said he knew nothing about the incident, and had no further comment.

A Friend but not a Chief

Rev. Sanderson said he doesn't think Badamo is the right person to sit at the helm of the department.

"I'm disappointed that others weren't considered who have much more experience," he said. "I'm not against Brian Badamo, but I know there were many who were passed over who were qualified. I'm very good friends with the Badamo family and I don't want to make it like I'm against Brian. But you have captains, lieutenants and a deputy chief with a lot more experience. [Deputy Chief] Clark Hurlburt is well liked by all the guys and shows up at all the fires."

But Sanderson said he thinks the mayor's appointment is a done deal.

"I've been around long enough to know if there are political appointments there's nothing you can do about it. They're cut in stone," said Anderson. "My feelings are, many a good people were passed by. But that's the mayor's prerogative. [Former Mayor] Lillian Clayman did the same thing. She appointed Tim Sullivan [chief] over other qualified people. This is not history-in-the making in appointing Brian."

Not exactly, said Clayman.

When she made Sullivan chief, he was in his late 30s. "And so was I. If people thought he was too young, so was I," she said. And he had served as deputy chief. Clayman, who was mayor from 1991-1997, said she didn't remember how long Sullivan had been on the force before he became chief.

"There were people who were opposed to Sullivan and Sullivan turned out to be a very good chief," she said. "Every time a mayor makes an appointment of a chief or anyone to a position of authority there's always an uproar -- and there's nothing you can do about it."

Messages left for Badamo and Fire Chief Jim Leddy were not returned. Puciato could not be reached for comment.
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Tackling the $3.8 Million Dilemma

The mayor gives the Council suggestions on how to make up for the "car tax"

By Sharon Bass

After finding out that Gov. Rell's proposal to kill the car tax didn't survive committee, Mayor Craig Henrici had to take his '06-'07 budget back to the drawing board. If the governor's plan had gone through, Hamden expected $11.7 million from the state in lieu of car taxes. But the reality is, cars will only bring $7.9 million into the town coffers under the proposed 28.18 mil rate.

Still, the mayor's revisions don't seem to come close to narrowing the $3.8 million gap. He is suggesting cutting revenues by $1.5 million and expenditures by $1.16 million.

In a letter Henrici gave to councilpeople yesterday, attached to his recommended changes, he wrote: "The original budget that I submitted was crafted using certain underlying assumptions, one of those being the passage of the Governor's 'car tax proposal.' However, recent public statements by legislators in Hartford indicate that the car tax proposal is unlikely to be implemented in the upcoming fiscal year …

"As such, my office has reviewed each budgetary line item to identify additional opportunities for cost savings, increased revenue … "

Additionally, the mayor wrote that he is endorsing Public Works Director John Busca's request to restore the heavy equipment operator and maintainer II positions, and eliminate the new maintainer I.

Henrici said he felt fairly confident that Rell's plan would pass when he drew up his original budget earlier this year. "When the governor first proposed it, everyone was raving about it. Even Democrats," who eventually defeated it, he said.

"Anything that happens now is the Council's responsibility," the mayor said. "This is just a letter with suggestions."

Among Henrici's suggestions are to decrease funding to the medical reserve by $759,372 (taking it down to $22.9 million); to the pension fund by $750,000 ($9 million); to worker's compensation by $50,000 ($1.2 million); to accrual benefits by $50,000 ($600,000); and to heart and hypertension by $50,000 ($1.05 million). He recommended a $500,000 increase to insurance.

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April 17, 2006