BETHEL – Representatives of the town’s fire, police and ambulance departments have been asked to attend the selectmen’s meeting Monday to talk about safe driving speeds.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 5.
A board member requested a general discussion of safe and prudent speed for emergency vehicles when responding to calls.
“It is disheartening to field citizens’ complaints of excessive emergency vehicle speed, and it is equally discouraging to find that some personnel embrace a ‘get-there, do-it-at-all-costs’ mindset,” said Town Manager Scott Cole in a letter sent to all three departments last summer.
“There is no place for reckless conduct in any profession anywhere, to include the operation of our departments dedicated to preserving the public safety, law and order,” he added.
Other agenda items include authorization of a salvage plan for the old fire station, and an agreement with Newry for code enforcement and plumbing inspection services.
Additional topics include discussion of funding for timeshare taxation litigation, and authorizing a response to a request for funding for a SAD 44 middle school students trip.
Two closed-door sessions were scheduled to discuss a personnel matter, and to discuss with the town attorney via phone police Chief Darren M. Tripp’s litigation against the town.
In September, Tripp filed notice of a pending lawsuit against the town and Cole to recover $9,150.10 in legal costs associated with a 33-day suspension he served between April and May when Cole placed him on administrative leave.
If the money wasn’t reimbursed to Tripp 30 days after the notice was served, the claim would escalate to $250,000.
Tripp’s lawsuit alleges defamation, libel and slander, invasion of privacy, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress as the basis for his tort claim.
Additional executive sessions may also be held at Monday’s meeting in the town office to interview applicants to fill openings on the Planning Board, Airport Authority and Water District.
tkarkos@sunjournal.com
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