Fire chief retiring after 7 months at top

09/20/2007

Ed Stannard , Register Metro Editor

WEST HAVEN — Fire Chief William L. Abbott will retire on Monday, seven months after ascending to the top rung of the West Haven Fire Department. Abbott announced his retirement at a recent meeting of the Center Fire District’s fire commissioners, giving two weeks’ notice. The move came as a surprise to at least one commissioner and other city officials, they said Wednesday.

Some were angry that the Center District, one of three independent fire taxation districts in the city, would have another chief’s pension to shoulder.

Commissioner Joseph P. Callahan Jr. said, "I’m very disappointed that he’s leaving so quickly, but I have to respect his decision based on his family. … Even for a short time, he was a great chief. … He’s a good friend of mine and we’re going to have to start the process again."

Abbott, previously deputy chief and a 35-year department veteran, rose to the chief’s post Feb. 22 after the surprise retirement of longtime Chief William S. "Wiggy" Johnson Jr.

Abbott would not say much about his decision to retire now, saying it was "just personal reasons." He would not comment on reports by Callahan and others that he is moving to South Carolina.

Callahan said Abbott had planned to retire this year, but changed his plans when Johnson announced he was stepping down.

City Council member Nancy R. Rossi, A Better Future-7, a member of the Citizens for Fire Consolidation, said Abbott promised at the fire district’s budget meeting in May that he would not be a short-timer.

"I think the problem is that there’s no commitment," Rossi said. "They don’t have to sign a contract; they don’t have to serve a minimum amount of time."

Republican Town Chairman Paul Frosolone said, "I was one who lobbied for Abbott to be chief for the last three years. He stated he’s not going to retire, he’s going to build the fire department.

"To hear ... that he gave two weeks’ notice is disappointing, not only to the fire district, but to the firefighters," Frosolone said.

Abbott had earned $73,111 annually as deputy chief, according to the fiscal 2006 fire district budget. Because of a controversial 18.92 percent increase given Johnson that year, and an annual increase Abbott received in July, his final salary is $104,000.

Callahan said Abbott’s pension is calculated at 77 percent of his final salary, which would work out to more than $80,000.

"We’re paying (Abbott) to be chief for the rest of his life, even though he only served eight months as chief," said Councilwoman Sharon Spaziani, D-3, like Rossi and Frosolone a member of the consolidation group. "It’s insane."

Abbott said his short time as chief should not be an issue because of his 35 years serving the WHFD. "My career is based on my full career, not what I may do as chief," he said.

While the timing of Abbott’s retirement upset some, no one was questioning his service to the city.

"He certainly has served the Fire Department well in the time he was there, certainly has served his country well — a Vietnam veteran, a dedicated family member," said Johnson, who still lives in West Haven.

Mayor John M. Picard said he was "a little surprised" to hear of Abbott’s retirement, but added, "I have the utmost respect for him. He does a great job and I’m going to miss him. He’s really quality, a good guy."