Fire Commission settles leadership flap

January 14, 2002

By ANDREW BROPHY
Connecticut Post

FAIRFIELD -- The smoke has cleared in the battle over electing a new Fire Commission chairman.

Last month, fireworks erupted over the usually routine election of a chairman when one commissioner challenged the traditional practice of promoting the panel's secretary to the chairmanship. The dispute ended in a 2-to-2 deadlock.

But last Thursday, David Zabel, who had been the commission secretary, was named the new chairman by a 4-to-1 vote. Zabel, who joined the commission in 1999, replaces outgoing Chairman Ralph Money.

Zabel's selection appeared to largely settle the controversy caused when Susan Barrett, who was appointed to the commission in 2000, challenged Zabel for the chairman's post at the last meeting. Over the years, the commission has traditionally elected a new chairman annually on a rotating, bipartisan schedule based on seniority.

After Zabel, Barrett is next in line to chair the commission, but her term as a commission member expires in November, several weeks before Zabel would step down as chairman.

Fire Commission members normally serve a five-year term, but Barrett was appointed to fill the remainder of Robert Shea's term after his death.

However, First Selectman Kenneth Flatto, who has the authority to bring Barrett's name before the Board of Selectmen for reappointment, indicated she is likely to be named to a new five-year term. "My hope is she'll be interested in serving for a full term," he said Friday.

Since last month's meeting, the selectmen appointed Anthony Jannotta to the commission, bringing it up to its full complement of five members.

Barrett had served as campaign treasurer for Jannotta last year when he unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for first selectman against Flatto.

But neither Barrett nor Jannotta voted against Zabel last Thursday night.

Ronald Gross was the only commission member to oppose Zabel's bid for the chairmanship.

Gross was upset at Zabel for opposing the Fire Department's request for four new firefighters when the commission appealed the Board of Finance's decision last spring to hire just three firefighters.

The Representative Town Meeting later rejected the Fire Commission's appeal and backed the finance panel's decision. However, the Fire Department got its fourth firefighter following arbitration with the town.

Money thanked Fire Chief Richard Felner, commission members and firefighters "for the pleasure I had working as chairman."

During Money's term as chairman, staffing increased at the Fire Department for the first time since 1967, Felner's contract as chief was renewed and the department received new equipment.

Andrew Brophy, who covers Fairfield, can be reached at 330-6255.