Fire Marshal's Hearing Delayed Amid 'Settlement Discussions'

A previously postponed in September, has been pushed back again amidst word of settlement discussions.

Cavanagh may face consequences for allegedly working around 2,000 fewer hours than required, allegedly being overpaid more than $50,000 in the process. The charges arose in a July 17 meeting.

"Settlement discussions … have been undertaken between the parties," said Labor Relations consultant Dave Ryan, who proposed rescheduling the meeting to October 8. "We would also then schedule a meeting of the Board of Selectman to deal with this matter on the 10th."

Cavanagh's attorney, William Palmieri of New Haven, declined comment on the current state of proceedings.

"Michael Cavanagh has provided 12 years of loyal and diligent service to the folks of Woodbridge," said Palmieri. "Before that, he has provided even longer service as a volunteer firefighter. I think the service he has provided has been invaluable to the town and people of Woodbridge."

Cavanagh isn't the only one who has come under fire. Town leaders have faced questions from some citizens, particularly in a Patch letter to the editor by Cathy Wick and Chuck Pyne, who asked why Sheehy and other selectmen did not publicly address the Cavanagh issue. In a Patch letter to the editor Monday afternoon, Woodbridge Board of Finance chairman Matthew Giglietti defended town leaders, saying the Board of Selectmen would be in violation of labor law if it publicly commented on the "personnel matter" prior to the decision. (Giglietti is not involved in a decision-making capacity in the Cavanagh case.)

"Whatever remedies are available to the town will certainly be addressed including reimbursement for services previously paid for," wrote Giglietti. "Knowing the individuals making these decisions, I can assure taxpayers of Woodbridge that they are not ignoring the situation."

Fire commission members tentatively rescheduled Cavanagh's hearing for October 8 at 6 p.m. Patch will follow this story and provide updates as new information is available.