RTM Approves Selectman’s Budget

Monday, May 07, 2007
By Jennifer Connic

The Westport Representative Town Meeting tonight approved the selectman’s 2007-08 budget, which is $56.8 million, after debate on how to vote and on the fire department budget.

The proposal is a 4.7 percent increase over the current budget. The RTM is scheduled to discuss and vote on the proposed school budget—a $88.7 million proposal that is a 7.8 percent increase—on Tuesday.

The vote came after over 90 minutes of discussion on how to debate and vote on the budget, including a motion on passing the budget without any changes from Michael Gilbertie, RTM District 9.

Gilbertie said he wanted to save time in approving the budget, but after a hour after debate he left.

"I was trying to save time and you’ve turn this around, so I’m going home,” he said.

Once the RTM got to debate the actual budget, it rejected a motion to cut funding to hire four new firefighters and promote four others to lieutenant.

It is part of a plan to add 16 new firefighters over the next three years to allow assigning three firefighters to all Westport engine companies.

Currently two firefighters ride on three of the town’s four engines. Only Engine Co. 2 based at fire headquarters carries three firefighters.

Dewey Loselle, RTM District 8, proposed the funding cut but was not ready with the specific amount during his remarks.

He said Westport hosts one of the largest fire department budgets in the state, and town officials have provided all of the equipment and communications systems fire department officials have requested.

“There also has been a decrease in the actual number of fires,” he said. “I respect the job firefighters do, but I see this as a unnecessary, unwarranted request. I have not seen any compelling analysis for it.”

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said the RTM should disregard a budget reduction request from a member if he does not know the numbers.

“It’s obvious he hasn’t done his homework,” he said. “He hasn’t spoken to me or the chief.”

There is a presentation that could be given on the need for the additional firefighters, he said.

When Moderator Alice Shelton asked members if they wanted to view the presentation, not one said they wanted to see it. A number of them had already viewed it at fire headquarters.

Joseloff said the matter is a question of safety for Westporters, those who visit the town, and the firefighters.

The department has been undermanned for years, he said, and he doesn’t want to wait until someone dies before he takes action.

Fire Chief Christopher Ackley said in one of his last fires working as a lieutenant the department “almost lost a man.”

“When I became chief I promised myself I wouldn’t allow that to happen,” he said. “We are the only department in Fairfield County with these staffing levels. We as a department work hard to protect the community. We don’t ask for things on a frivolous nature.”

Any elected official has been invited to come to the department to see how it operates, he said.

If someone does not take up that opportunity, he said, it is not fair to the firefighters or to the residents.

Posted 05/07 at 10:22 PM