Mayor's Office Announces Disciplinary Actions Taken in New London Department of Public Works

Today, New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced that disciplinary actions were taken against several employees in the Department of Public Works following an investigation by the City’s Risk Manager and Personnel Administrator into alleged safety violations at the New London Transfer Station, according to a prepared statement.

Following the death of city resident Floyd Smeeton, new safety protocols were put into place at the transfer station. Solid Waste Division employees were given extensive retraining, and a zero-tolerance policy for safety violations at the transfer station was enacted.

In late January, 2014, it was discovered that a DPW employee, Mounir Hage, violated City policies and protocols by bypassing a safety switch designed to prevent the trash compactor from running automatically. Hage’s employment was terminated, and four other employees received disciplinary sanctions.

“This investigation being concluded, it is clear that these disciplinary actions are warranted and necessary,” said Personnel Administrator Tina Collins in a prepared statement.

“Protecting public safety and reducing city liability must be the highest priority for everyone working for the City of New London,” said Finizio in a prepared statement. “It’s unfortunate that it has come to this, but when errors of this magnitude are made, the employees involved must be held accountable.”

Last year, the state Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health fined New London $10,800 and cited the town for serious safety violations at the transfer station, the New London Day reported at the time.

“I supported the disciplinary recommendations made by our Risk Manager and Personnel Administrator, and I forwarded their recommendations to Mayor Finizio for disciplinary action,” said Director Hanser in a prepared statement. “The actions taken today underscore our commitment to public safety and the seriousness with which we take any violations. Moving forward, I will not tolerate anything less than full adherence to our safety protocols.”

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