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Politics & Government

The Fate Of Shelton's Next Fire Chief Remains Up In The Air

The Board of Fire Commissioners is trying to figure out its next move, now that Mayor Mark A. Lauretti has twice rejected their unanimous recommendation of Mike Ullirch as the new fire chief.

Whether or not the Shelton Board of Fire Commissioners recommends Mike Ullrich as the city’s new fire chief a third time remains to be seen.

The board met Tuesday at to continue discussions about the chief’s appointment, now that Mayor Mark A. Lauretti has twice rejected their unanimous recommendation of Ullrich. However, because the board could not reach a quorum, the meeting had to be cancelled.

Commissioners said they were prepared to discuss what course of action to pursue next, but since all five members were unable to attend the meeting, that didn’t happen. Commissioner Ben McGorty said the commission may schedule a special meeting for later this month, or just wait until its next regularly scheduled meeting in August to discuss the situation.

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The city has been without a fire chief since November. That’s when former Fire Chief Fran Jones resigned.

McGorty said the city’s four assistant fire chiefs have since been taking turns on a rotating basis, each week, filling in as chief.

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Ullrich was one of two candidates who applied and tested for the chief’s job, which pays a salary of $15,000. Ullrich was the top scorer, and according to commissioners, he is the most qualified for the job.

Lauretti initially rejected the commission’s unanimous recommendation of Ullrich in May, without citing specific reasons for the denial. The commission, again in June, sent Lauretti a second recommendation, pushing for Ullrich, but Lauretti again denied the recommendation without reason.

Lauretti recently told the Huntigton Herald that Ullrich was “incompatible,” but didn’t cite specific reasons as to what he meant by that.

Ullrich boasts 23 years of firefighting experience for the city of Shelton, having served nine years as assistant chief. Commissioners said Ullrich had also previously filled in as acting chief, and has the experience needed to do the job.

“Mike is the most qualified for the job,” McGorty said.

Former Alderman and current mayoral candidate Chris Jones, who is also a volunteer firefighter, said the fire department’s 250 volunteers deserve an answer from Lauretti as to why he refuses to accept the board’s recommendation of Ullirch.

“The reason that he (Lauretti) has given, "incompatible," isn't good enough for the 250 members of our Shelton Volunteer Fire Dept,” Jones said. “Mike Ullrich is the most qualified firefighter in the City of Shelton and is a true leader, as he has proven at so many fire scenes."

"I, being a member of the Shelton Fire Dept. am so embarrassed not to have a Chief. What city in Connecticut, New England or even the United States goes without a Fire Chief for eight months? We are all volunteers and deserve the best chief, and that is Mike Ullrich,” Jones said.

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