While awaiting negotiations between the Select Board and the Sandisfield Fire Department, Inc. (SFDI), the Select Board held interviews with two finalists for appointment to permanent Fire Chief of the Sandisfield Fire Department.

Their choice was Mike Grillo of Connecticut, who, at 31, became very likely the youngest fire chief in the Commonwealth. The Board interviewed the two finalists in separate open meetings that were attended by only three or four town residents, this reporter among them. Of the two candidates, one clearly stood out as to enthusiasm, initiative, and a willingness to bring new ideas to the department.

Fire Department deputy chief Mike Morrison had said earlier that anyone hired as permanent chief should be already or a pending EMT, given the shortage of EMTs in Sandisfield. Seddon said he asked both candidates and one was already a licensed EMT in Connecticut and the other said he didn't feel it was necessary. Seddon said, "That helped us make a decision."

The New Chief

The day following his June 17 appointment, Grillo met with the Town's firefighters in a group meeting. He told The Times, "They were nearly all there, only two or three had to be someplace else." At first, he felt his audience was "100 percent skeptical," meeting yet another chief after a couple others had "cycled through" the job.

But, for the most part, nearly all the firefighters "seemed ready to move forward," Grillo said, adding, "I thought they were all open minded. They seemed motivated."

Grillo said he asked the firefighters to identify improvement possibilities. He also presented his own initiatives that might benefit the department, such as using part of Station #1 as a dormitory for firefighters and starting a Heart Healthy program in Town.

Subsequently, two senior firefighters - Eric Pachulski and Matt Pachulski - chose to retire rather than continue with the new chief. Both had served many years with distinction and their expertise and Town knowledge have been invaluable, Grillo said. "The department and the Town should recognize their significant contributions." Both Eric and Matt remain board members of SFDI. Eric did not return a phone call asking for comment.

A New Start

This is Mike Grillo's first hire as the chief of a department. By the end of his first two weeks on the job, he had hired four new firefighters for the Town, and Chris Colonair as deputy fire chief. Grillo said, "I may not know enough, but I know who to call. Chris is one of those."

Though his job will be mostly operational and administrative, Colonair ranks as Firefighter 3 level. With his hiring, Colonair became Sandisfield's first (and only) licensed Paramedic.

Grillo said a primary goal for the department is to rebuild trust with the Town through accountability and accessibility. "I want everyone in the department to be successful."

One example, he pointed out, was Fireman Shamus Gaherty having received notice June 30 that he had passed the written examination for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician-Basic level.

Grillo said, "This is Shamus's final step toward becoming a nationally certified EMT." The accomplishment, Grillo added, reflects "not only academic achievement but an unwavering commitment to service, excellence, and professionalism."

Grillo's firefighting experience is two years as a Firefighter/EMT in Waterford, Connecticut, and, most recently, as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Yantic Fire Company, No. 1, Norwich. In Connecticut, he has owned and operated a subcontracting firm in Norwich since 2014. He believes he will be able to conduct that business remotely.

He has found at least a temporary home, a rental on the border between Tolland and Blanchard, due east on Rt. 23 past Papa's Food & Fuel. He has moved there with his girlfriend of about four years, Bree Lassiter, who also has firefighter credentials and is a licensed EMT in Connecticut.

"Being a firefighter is a privilege," Mike said. "To be able to provide help when it's needed." He added, "It may also be the last noble profession."

The Firehouse Conflict

To back up a bit, readers will recall the Annual Town Meeting in mid-May agreed that, yes, both fire stations and properties should belong to the Town, but that, they should be gifted to the Town rather than bought or seized by eminent domain. One of the issues is that SFDI owns the two fire station properties and leases them to the Town for use by its firefighters and their equipment. SFDI is a nonprofit organization chartered to support the Sandisfield Fire Department.

After the Town Meeting, the Board wrote to SFDI, on May 27, asking to meet to discuss (1) the possible acquisition of the fire stations by gift, (2) a renegotiation of the Town's lease agreement of the fire stations with SFDI, and (3) the current governance structure of SFDI in response to residents' concerns regarding its compliance with IRS nonprofit requirements.

The Select Board also asked that the meeting be open to the public and without legal representation, "in order to encourage open, respectful, and neighborly dialogue."

SFDI president, Ralph Morrison, received the letter May 30 and told The Times that their board of directors would meet soon to discuss their reply. Asked again in mid-June, Morrison said, "The corporation is working on the lease of the fire station."

The chairman of the Select Board, Steve Seddon, explained further. "SFDI did reply, and said they were going to review the lease for negotiations. They proposed having the negotiation meeting at Fire Station #1 on Rt. 8. Time and date not determined yet."