Connecticut Chief Claims Non-Renewal of His Contract Is Illegal

A Connecticut deputy chief has filed suit claiming the non-renewal of his employment contract is retaliation and illegal.

Fairfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Art Reid filed suit in Bridgeport Superior Court alleging that the Fairfield Fire Commission’s decision not to renew his contract is directly related to his having reported a slapping incident in 2012 involving Fire Chief Richard Felner.

Chief Felner, 76 and a 56 year veteran of the Fairfield Fire Department, was accused of striking Assistant Chief George Gomola in January, 2012. Chief Gomola made a formal complaint to Chief Reid, who in turn reported the incident to the town’s human resource department. While an investigation concluded that Chief Felner “more likely than not” touched Chief Gomola, the Fire Commission imposed no discipline.

Chief Reid’s suit claims that members of the Fairfield Fire Commission were upset he reported the incident to town human resources officials. The complaint alleged that one Fire Commissioner, Richard Popolowksi, told him he “screwed up.”

Chief Reid’s contract expires in December.

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