The Shelton Board of Fire Commissioners wants Mike Ullrich to be the city’s next fire chief — despite the fact that Mayor Mark Lauretti rejected their recommendation last month.
So the commissioners plan to resubmit their unanimous recommendation for Ullrich to the mayor later this week.
“You’d think that between the four commissioners here we have enough years among us to make a decision who we hire and fire in this fire department,” said commission vice chairman, Tim Manion.
The Board of Fire Commissioners voted Tuesday to issue a second recommendation for Ullrich — after questioning Lauretti’s logic for denying it the first time.
Ullrich was one of two candidates who tested for the position. After receiving the higher score and undergoing interviews, the commission recommended him to Lauretti as their top pick. Lauretti, who has the final say under the city’s charter, denied the recommendation without giving reasons.
When asked by reporters this month, Lauretti wouldn’t say why he didn’t want Ullrich to be chief.
“I’m not going to get into it,” Lauretti said.
When asked why not, Lauretti said “I don’t think it’s productive.”
He later told the Huntington Herald that Ullrich was “incompatible,” and cited a “20-year-history there.”
The reference surprised and confused Ullrich and the fire commissioners.
“We all have our issues with politicians, but I wouldn’t figure that 15 years later that grudge would still be held, whatever it is,” Manion said.
When asked if he was referring to a specific issue, Manion said he had no idea what the mayor was referring to.
“If he had a problem with me for 15 years or two years or whatever he says, then why did he appoint me four times as assistant chief?” Ullrich asked.
The Shelton Fire Department has gone almost eight months without a chief, and the absence is starting to take a toll on the fire companies, according to Manion and Ullrich.
“It’s like eight people trying to get one job done,” Ullrich said.
Manion had sent a certified letter to Lauretti, inviting him to Tuesday night’s meeting.
On Monday Lauretti notified Manion that he wouldn’t be coming.
Ullrich said he asked the Board of Aldermen to investigate Lauretti’s actions.
“Its a matter of public safety,” Ullrich said.
Lauretti could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
