Thursday, October 9, 2008 6:15 AM EDT
By Abbe Smith, Register Staff
WEST HAVEN — Emergency dispatcher John Carew is not scheduled for his once-a-week shift because his role as Center District fire commissioner violates the dispatch workers’ contract, according to Police Chief Ronald M. Quagliani.
In a letter dated Sept. 25, Quagliani and Center District Deputy Chief Scott Schwartz, who both oversee West Haven’s Emergency Response System, notified Carew that he will not be given shifts due to a clause in the union contract that reads: “No employee of the ERS shall hold the position of police or fire commissioner in the city of West Haven.”
Reached by phone, Quagliani said all ERS employees must follow the terms of the union-negotiated contract.
“It has nothing to do with job performance. It has everything to do with administering the contract,” he said.
Carew, who requested a hearing after receiving the letter, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
In the past, Carew has defended his situation by arguing that he does not pay union dues and therefore is not a member of the union and not subject to the terms of the union contract.
Carew also has said that he would recuse himself from voting on any matters concerning the Emergency Response System that come before the commission.
Members of the Center Taxpayer Alliance previously called for Carew to step down as either commissioner or dispatcher, arguing that the dual roles violate the department’s home rule ordinance.
The ordinance states that commissioners must not be paid members of the First Fire Taxation District.
The salaries of ERS dispatchers are funded by the city, the Police Department and the three fire districts.
The commission’s attorney, Louis S. Votto, reviewed the ordinance and decided that Carew’s role does not violate home rule.
Alliance member Sharon Spaziani said she is glad to hear Carew is no longer working as a dispatcher, but she is still concerned that the district’s three fire commissioners, including Carew, committed what she said is a clear violation of home rule.
“It’s a violation of home rule – the bible they are supposed to live by. It is very clear in home rule that you cannot have a paying job in the district and be a commissioner,” she said.
Todd Tompkins, another member of the group, reacted similarly to the news Tuesday.
“They feel they are above the law,” he said, referring to the commissioners.
Representatives of the Fire and Police departments and the city will have to meet to discuss Carew’s request for a hearing.
Abbe Smith can be reached at asmith@nhregister.com or 789-5615.
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