WEST HAVEN — The pending appointment of Allingtown's first black fire chief has sparked a bitter dispute between Fire Commissioner John Samperi and commission Chairman Aaron Haley, filled with accusations of racial prejudice and dishonesty.

Samperi, who is white, acknowledged using "every n-word I could think of" during a heated, closed-door meeting last week with Haley, who is black. Samperi said he was furious because he believes Haley went back on an agreement to hire another man for the post.

Asked what he meant by "n-words," Samperi said "n-words like no good rotten . . ."

No one else was at the meeting at Allingtown fire headquarters. But Samperi and Haley had another argument at the firehouse in front of a Register reporter about the pending appointment of Elmer Henderson, a retired New Haven fire lieutenant.

"This black guy will never be chief," Samperi shouted at Haley.

Samperi said he's not against hiring minorities, but that other applicants were more qualified and more familiar with the department than Henderson.

Haley told the Register he hoped Samperi's racial overtones would be recorded: "Because Samperi makes these statements and he has a tendency to be offensive."

"The reason Samperi doesn't want Henderson had more to do with the color of his skin than his qualifications," Haley said.

Haley wouldn't comment on what Samperi said during their private meeting.

"I don't want to mention that conversation," he said. "He knows what he said; I know what he said. It's unfortunate that there are quite a few racial problems in West Haven, and for some it is a natural way to talk and behave. But the things people say are becoming offensive."

Carroll Brown, president of the West Haven Black Coalition, said "Samperi needs to get used to it.

There is going to be African-American leadership in West Haven. I am sick and tired of him trashing Aaron Haley, and if he continues to try to undo the appointment, he will embarrass the city."

Samperi said he knows his comments sometimes can be taken out of context given the sensitive nature of the matter.

There are no minority firefighters in West Haven, and each department chief has said recruiting black firefighters is a priority. Some members of the black community urged the commission to seize this opportunity to appoint a black chief.

Samperi said his objection to Henderson is not racial.

"I'm not doing this because the guy is black," Samperi said. "He should just have to start on the bottom like everybody else. I just don't want us to not give the job to someone because they don't have the right skin color. None of this is about lifestyle or color. I don't like gays and lesbians, but I don't push that agenda. But if a gay chief who was qualified came in I would easily give him the job."

Samperi said Haley only wants Henderson as chief because of the color of his skin, and the appointment will come only to satisfy the cry for minority representation in the all-white fire department.

Haley and the third member of the board, Commissioner Calvin DeLoatch, who is black, support Henderson's appointment. DeLoatch wasn't available for comment.

Henderson would fill the slot left open when former Chief Richard Massaro retired last year before the commission could terminate his contract after allegations that he called residents of Allingtown "niggers." Samperi has expressed "severe disgust" at the slurs Massaro allegedly made, and denied ever using similar words. He said "Haley wants this to be a racial issue; it's not."

The commission has not voted to formally appoint Henderson. Haley said that within the next few weeks he plans to hold a special meeting where he would listen to the public's opinion on the matter. He said then the commission would take a vote and, as it stands now, Henderson would be appointed.

Samperi, who said more qualified candidates were passed over, has vowed "to do everything I can to stop this man from becoming chief."

Samperi favors longtime Center District Deputy Chief William Abbott or current Allingtown Deputy Chief Victor Sampietro. Both are white.

"The department needs a chief who is familiar with the firefighters, apparatus, streets, houses and hydrants, Samperi said.

Haley said "All the candidates met the qualifications of the job, but they all had different credentials."

Haley said he supports Henderson "because Henderson doesn't come from within the department; he will be a breath of fresh air."

Samperi said he is furious with Haley because Haley agreed to support Abbott after an extensive candidate review meeting two weeks ago, but then Haley told the media minutes after the meeting ended that Henderson would be appointed chief.

"I never made a commitment to anyone," Haley told Samperi.

"The only deal that was made in that room that night was that Abbott was going to be the next chief," Samperi said.

Haley said he considered other candidates, but "I am allowed to change my mind."

Samperi had wanted Sampietro to be chief but switched his vote to Abbott after the other two commissioners wouldn't support Sampietro. Samperi said he supports Abbott because he is the most qualified candidate. Henderson has almost no administrative experience, Samperi said.

Samperi said he has sent resumes of people the board interviewed for the job to elected officials in West Haven to see if they agree someone other than Henderson should get the job.

If Henderson does get the job, Samperi said that at the first meeting after Henderson is sworn in as chief, possibly in July, he will ask the commission to approve a motion to terminate Henderson's contract. By that time, DeLoatch's term will have expired. He will be replaced in July by Commissioner-elect Jack Pickering.

Pickering said, "I have not seen anything that would make my mind up either way. Today I couldn't answer who was the best candidate. I wasn't privy to the interviews or the resumes."

Haley said he's surprised at the lengths Samperi is going to fight Henderson's appointment.

"To be that angry, enough to want to get Henderson out even before he proves what he can do, shows there is a major problem," Haley said. "There is a terrible prejudice about this situation."