Fire Union Loses Try At Halting Pension Board [Poll]

An attempt by IAFF Local 1950 to stop tonight's scheduled meeting of the was denied in Superior Court, Mayor Joseph M. Polisena announced on Oct. 21.

During a special joint meeting of the school committee and town council held at the , Polisena said that the union's request for a restraining order had been rejected earlier that day.

Town Solicitor William Conley explained that Superior Court Associate Justice Sarah Taft-Carter turned down the petition by the union — which does not have a representative on the pension committee — that the hearings violate union members' due process rights.

On the agenda for tonight's session — a copy of which is attached to this article — are five pensions which the board is scheduled to review: those of former Fire Chief Victor H. Cipriano, and firefighters Henry J. Albanese III, Anthony M. Cappelli, Paul Delvecchio, and the late Timothy Grissom, whose widow, Claudette, is receiving pension benefits from the town.

The restraining order was the latest move by the fire union to oppose the pension board.

Initially, the union recommended Joseph Andriole to the panel, but the town refused to appoint him because he is retired. Pension board rules allow active firefighters with five years' experience to serve on the board.

The union also has a pending lawsuit that questions the legality of the pension board, which was formed earlier this year to manage the town's pension system.

An e-mail and voicemail message requesting comment from Local 1950 President Keith Calci were not returned by presstime.

Tonight's meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the .

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