The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Fire district boss quits
Reason for resignation unknown
CROMWELL — The executive director of the fire district has resigned.
Michael D. Dagostino, 53, the district’s first manager, left his West Street office for the last time on Oct. 5. The Board of Fire Commissioners upgraded the job to a full-time manager’s position prior to hiring Dagostino.
Dagostino’s resignation followed extensive discussions by commission members about a settlement package. He had three years remaining on his contract when he left.
During a meeting of the commission late Thursday afternoon, the newly elected president of the board, LeRoy D. Brow, released a statement on Oct. 5 on the matter. “Today, we took steps to cordially end our relationship with the executive director of the Cromwell Fire District, Michael Dagostino.
“The members of the Board of Commissioners have agreed to provide Mr. Dagostino with appropriate pay and benefits for a year, in accordance with his employment contract. He will also be paid his benefits he earned as of the date of his resignation. The board wishes Mr. Dagostino the best in his future endeavors.”
Dagostino declined to comment and instead referred questions to his attorney, Anthony R. Michella, of Middlebury, who did not immediately respond to two requests for comment Friday.
A Stamford native, Dagostino began work as the district director in February 2014.
Married and father of a college-age son, Dagostino had served as the asset manager for St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport prior to coming to Cromwell.
As he began his tenure as district manager, Dagostino said his attention would be focused on customer service. To that end, he said he would constantly be reevaluating the district’s services to the residents. “If it’s good, it will become better,” he said at the time.
Over the succeeding four and a half years, Dagostino developed financial reporting protocols to the board while also racking up “clean” budget audits. He also revised the policies and procedures for hiring personnel and, working with Commissioner Julius C. Neto, helped to develop and implement a new policy for nominating and electing commission members.
Brow said Thursday he is intent upon filling the manager’s position by Dec. 1. “I don’t want to leave that position vacant for any length of time.” In the interim, Brow said he wants a consultant in the manager’s office as early as next week. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done.”
Dagostino’s departure came just days after Craig Murphy, president of the district commission, resigned his position, citing an increased workload at his employer, Pratt & Whitney. Brow said a special election will be held Dec. 3 to fill his post.
Earlier this year, in the regular commission election, two new members were voted to the commission: Allan D. Spotts and Mertie L. Terry. Brow was selected president of the board immediately following the election.