Mayor Mark Lauretti has rejected the Board of Fire Commissioners’ recommendation for the city’s next fire chief.
The fire commission had recommended Michael Ullrich, a paid Greenwich firefighter and 23-year-veteran of the Shelton Fire Department.
Ullrich was one of two people who took the fire chief test last year and scored the highest.
The commission voted unanimously in May to recommend Ullrich for the job.
But Lauretti, under the city charter, has the final say.
He said no.
Lauretti said he informed the fire commissioners last week. He wouldn’t say why he rejected their pick for chief.
“I’m not going to get into it,” Lauretti said.
When asked why not, Lauretti said “I don’t think it’s productive.”
Lauretti informed the commissioners of his decision by handwriting the word “denied” on the bottom of the recommendation letter, according to fire commissioner Ben McGorty.
McGorty hopes to convince Lauretti to change his mind.
The commission plans to invite Lauretti and Ullrich to the meeting on Tuesday.
“Hopefully we can discuss it,” McGorty said. “Hopefully we won’t have to re-post the job or put anybody through the testing process again. I think we can talk things through and get a good resolution to this.”
This was the second time Lauretti rejected Ullrich as the chief.
The position has been vacant since November, when former Chief Fran Jones decided not to seek another term.
Fire commissioner Tim Manion declined to comment on Lauretti’s decision, saying the full commission would meet on June 7 to discuss it together.
“There’s nothing official until we sit down and talk about it,” Manion said.
Ullrich declined to comment Wednesday as well, saying he hadn’t received official word yet on the decision.
“I’m pursuing my options and at this time I have no comment since I haven’t been officially notified,” Ullrich said.
Another city firefighter, and prospective candidate for mayor, called the decision “embarrassing” for the city.
“We’re probably the only city in the state without a fire chief,” said Chris Jones. “It’s embarrassing. Who doesn’t have a fire chief?”
Jones has filed exploratory paperwork to run for mayor this November and said the decision on Ullrich will likely solidify his decision to run.
“There’s no logical reason why Mike Ullrich shouldn’t be the chief,” Jones said. “He’s probably one of the most qualified candidates in the Valley.”
