By Sarah Opdahl

On Thursday, May 9, New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) discussed the recent resignation of Fire Marshal Mr. Derrek Guertin. All BOS members thanked him for his service to the Town. First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey worked to quell rumors that he resigned over his position being reduced to a part-time status by explaining that the position was altered after his resignation was received. She noted that Guertin secured a position closer to his hometown of Southbury. Lindsey noted that the fire marshal position was elevated to full-time status in 2020 and was attributed, at least in part, to the two new school buildings. The fire marshal was heavily involved with numerous rounds of inspections.

BOS members have opposing opinions regarding the appropriateness of part-time status being given to the animal control and fire marshall positions. Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco expressed frustration at the status changes for both positions and believes that the state of being “on call” will not be fairly compensated in the new models. In the personnel report, two hires were approved to cover the animal control position, one at nineteen hours per week and the other at sixteen hours per week. Lindsey is interested in testing the new model, which mimics the former hours—minus benefits—to make the position “less strenuous on one individual.” She did remain open to changes in the future, if needed.

Minding the bottom line, Lindsey explained, due to Guertin’s resignation, now was the time to re-evaluate the need for a full-time versus part-time fire marshall. She said that she has talked with other fire marshals and selectmen in towns of similar size and believes the position is feasible with part-time status. In Connecticut, there are sixty-one municipalities with populations under 20,000 and out of those, forty-nine of the fire marshals are part-time, she explained. Some of the remaining full-time positions in that count, “actually split the position with other roles,” Lindsey said.

Del Monaco sees the mov e as one that “nickels and dimes” a public safety position and pointed out that Guertin has said that the position should remain full-time. Some public commenters agreed and worried about the potential safety implications of not having a full-time fire marshal. Others chimed in to dispute the notion that the fire marshal is a first responder and clarified that the role is largely for inspections. Overall, there was a split in support for the change in job status among public commenters.

Lindsey explained that she recently met with the State regarding the coordination and preparation for managing Squantz Pond State Park and new policies this year. The biggest policy change – walk-in guests will not be allowed once the park has reached capacity. “This will increase the safety for both park visitors and Town residents,” she said. A new reservation system will ensure that visitors will receive access and eliminate guesswork regarding intention to attend. Spots can be reserved up to fourteen days in advance. Additional signage, press releases, and radio announcements are forthcoming.

An appropriation was approved for the New Fairfield Board of Education in the amount of $41,672.99 for capital projects, specifically the Middle School intercom and STEAM room. This was surplus funding that was agreed upon during budget talks with the Board of Finance. They also approved switching mass notifications systems from Alert Now to Everbridge, which has some appealing capabilities, such as sending messages to particular groups of people and contains special features, such as desktop notifications. There is also a two-way communication feature in which residents can reply directly to Town messages.

The BOS unanimously agreed to reappoint Ms. Maureen Salerno and Ms. Roberta Illardo to the Town’s Commission on the Aging and Mr. Bill Licht to the Candlewood Lake Authority.

The next New Fairfield Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 7:30 p.m.