Joseloff Reappoints Ackley as Westport Fire Chief

Westport Fire Chief Christopher Ackley has been rehired by First Selectman Gordon Joseloff for a two-year term that began Monday and ends June 30, 2012.

Ackley, along with Police Chief Alfred R. Fiore, and Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Gottfried retired effective June 1. Joseloff announced he had reappointed Fiore and Gottfried at reduced salary and benefits for a two-year period.

Joseloff announced Ackley's reappointment Tuesday afternoon, about four hours before the Representative Town Meeting is scheduled to discuss an item on its agenda about the rehires. About 40 petitioners have requested the RTM adopt a "sense of the meeting" resolution that recommends the Board of Selectman and the Board of Finance review whether the rehiring of Westport's chief emergency services officials is best for the town.

"I am delighted that Chris has agreed to continue to serve as Fire Chief, thereby retaining all three experienced public safety leaders to continue to serve the people of Westport," Joseloff said in a news release.

He said Ackley, like the others, also agreed to receive a lower salary and reduced benefits as well as waive any claims under the state's Health and Hypertension Act.

There would be more than $350,000 in taxpayer savings to continue to employ the three for the next two years, Joseloff added in the release. Joseloff has not responded to Westport Patch inquiries asking for a breakdown of these savings.

As he did with the reappointments of Fiore and Gottfried, Joseloff released a copy of Ackley's letter of appointment and a summary of cost savings from his continued employment.

According to pension calculation documents, Ackley will collect a monthly pension of $8,553.59, Fiore will collect a monthly pension of $8,550.88, and Gottfried will collect a monthly pension of $7,900.21.

According to the rehire contract, Ackley also will collect on an annual basis:

• A base salary of $106,497
• 15 vacation days
• Six sick days
• A vehicle
• A holiday allowance of $5,324
• A uniform allowance of $675
• Eligibility for group life insurance in the amount of $107,000
• Eligibility to contribute to the town's 401k plan
• Medical, dental, prescription drug and other health benefits as specified by the Fire Pension Fund.

The document says Ackley "will not be entitled to medical, dental, prescription drug and other health benefits on the same basis as other active employees of the town."

The same terms are true for Fiore and Gottfried. 

According to his rehire contract, Fiore also will collect on an annual basis:

• A salary of $106,472
• 15 vacation days
• Six sick days
• A vehicle
• A holiday allowance in the amount of $5,679
• A uniform allowance of $775
• The ability to contribute to the town's 401k plan
• Medical, dental, prescription drug and other health benefits as specified by the Police Pension Fund.

The document says Fiore "will not be entitled to medical, dental, prescription drug and other health benefits on the same basis as other active employees of the town ... or any other benefits the town makes available to other active employees."

According to Gottfried's rehire contract, he also will collect on an annual basis:

• A salary of $98,361
• 15 vacation days
• Six sick days
• A holiday allowance of $4,918
• A uniform allowance of $675
• Eligibility for group life insurance in the amount of $99,000
• Eligibility to contribute to the town's 401k plan
• Medical, dental, prescription drug and other health benefits as specified by the Fire Pension Fund.

The document says Gottfried "will not be entitled to medical, dental, prescription drug and other health benefits on the same basis as other active employees of the town ... or any other benefits the town makes available to other active employees."

None of the chiefs will be able to collect overtime pay.

"In light of these appointments, I hope the Representative Town Meeting tonight will quickly dispense of the petition concerning these retirements," Joseloff said in the release, referring to the item on the RTM's agenda from the 40 petitioners.

The petitioners have asked the RTM to adopt the resolution seeking more transparency in the rehire process and asking for a review of Joseloff's decision to rehire the chiefs.

Joseloff maintains that state statute and the town charter gives him, as the chief elected official of the town, the responsibility for health and safety of town residents and the sole authority to appoint its public safety leaders.

"If the RTM wants to act, I hope someone instead would move a sense of the meeting resolution thanking these men for putting their lives on the line in a combined almost 100 years service protecting our community and for their willingness to continue to serve our citizens," Joseloff said in the release.

RTM moderator Hadley Rose has said if the rehiring process was finalized before the July 20 meeting, the petitioners' request would remain on the agenda unless they withdraw it.

One of the lead petitioners, Don Bergmann, said he hopes the RTM will still vote to have the Board of Finance review the rehire decision and conduct a financial analysis as to the benefits the re-appointments present to the town.

"My personal view is that the petition should proceed," he said.