Published: Saturday, January 16, 2010
By Brian McCready, Milford Bureau Chief
MILFORD — Fire Chief Louis LaVecchia says the Fire Department always strives to be a good neighbor, and that sentiment is ardently endorsed by Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr.
But resident Carol Martin says she’s not so sure.
Martin lives at 14 Roswell St., behind the West Shore fire station on Naugatuck Avenue.
She said she has had an ongoing dispute with the Fire Department dating back several years. She said on occasion the aerial truck, which has a ladder that extends, has violated her air space.
“When that ladder gets tested, it extends onto my property,” Martin said. “It’s a safety issue and it’s trespassing.”
LaVecchia said the Fire Department must test the aerial truck every three days to ensure the safety of the firefighters.
He said most of the time the truck is tested in secluded parking lots at Walnut Beach and Gulf Beach.
But because of the snow the beaches are not plowed, and the department has to test the truck at the headquarters.
Martin said she appreciates the need to ensure the safety of the firefighters, but added, “They don’t care about me or my rights.
“If you have the ladder up 100 feet and it falls, it will fall on my house or garage,” Martin said. “Someone will be killed.”
Martin said in New York City the ladder on an aerial truck collapsed and killed one person and injured four others.
“I have serious safety concerns here,” Martin said.
LaVecchia confirmed that on one occasion, Dec. 23, the Fire Department did violate Martin’s air space.
He said he immediately spoke to the personnel there and a letter was placed at the headquarters reminding firefighters about respecting Martin’s air rights.
LaVecchia said the firefighters have been extremely careful to make sure the ladder does not cross over onto Martin’s property.
He also praised members of the department, whom he said have never had an issue with the ladder.
LaVecchia said when the aerial truck is tested at headquarters, it’s done in the rear of the building, and it’s up only for a few minutes.
“I make it a point to address the firefighters to be the best neighbors we can, and we are,” LaVecchia said.
“The Milford Fire Department spends every hour of their day helping people and responding to emergency situations, especially the worst-case scenarios,” Richetelli said. “The firefighters and Chief LaVecchia are not intending to be a bad neighbor.”
“To insinuate the Fire Department is risking public safety, that is contrary to their mission,” Richetelli said.
Brian McCready can be reached at bmccready@newhavenregister.com or 203-789-5719.