Battalion Chief Placed on Administrative Leave Following 'Mistake'

By Michael Dibiaso
Published on 12/23/2004

Battalion Chief William Mayer of the East Haven Fire Department is on administrative leave after allegedly selling eight light polls belonging to United Illuminating. Mayer is being investigated by the fire department after he allegedly removed eight poles that were stored behind the Main Street Station, cutting them up and selling them to Alderman and Dow Scrap in New Haven for $820. "He is a good employee and a good guy who made a mistake that anyone of us could have made at their place of employment," said Chief Wayne Sandford of the East Haven Fire Department. According to Sandford, Mayer removed eight poles that had been stored by United Illuminating behind the station, following their removal as part of the Main Street revitalization project. Most of the poles that were removed from the street were cut in half and taken away by UI workers approximately five months ago. The poles that Mayer allegedly sold had not been taken and had been stored behind the fire house for about five months, along with other miscellaneous construction equipment. According to Mayer, a UI worker gave him permission to take the poles. "I believed that I had permission and now they tell me that I had permission from the wrong person," said Mayer. Mayer was placed on administrative leave 2 1/2 weeks ago by Sandford after the chief heard talk around the fire house about the incident. While on leave, Mayer still receives pay and benefits, but is not allowed to work or be around the firehouse. "We see that this is a serious problem. We are not going to downplay that. Putting him on administrative leave gives us a chance to review the situation and see where we want to go," said Sandford. UI has not pursued criminal charges against Mayer. According to Mayer, a settlement with UI has already been reached. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. According to Sandford, each pole is valued at between $1,800 and $2,200 when new. The poles in question had been put up in 1973. The fire department's investigation, remains the only hurdle left for Mayer. Sandford described Mayer as cooperative in the investigation, saying that he readily admitted to the infraction when confronted. Sandford would not elaborate on what potential consequences Mayer could face, but said that he hopes to have the issue resolved within the week. Mayer has been a member of the East Haven Fire Department since 1965. He has served as one of the town's four Battalion Chiefs for 15 years. According to Sandford, he has never faced disciplinary action in the past.