Cragin Steps Down After 21 Years—

Fire Commissioners Elect Manna As New Chairman

By John Voket

Members of Newtown’s Board of Fire Commissioners in attendance at an October regular meeting unanimously elected Hook & Ladder representative Rob Manna to a one-year post as chairman and civilian member Elisa Goosman as vice chair.

Kevin Cragin, who had served the commission for 21 years elected to step down from his leadership post, but will remain on the commission as a civilian representative until the end of his current term. Commissioners Michael Burton, Jay Nezvesky, and Ernie Descheneaux were present at the meeting, with Hawleyville Commissioner David Jossick absent.

Ms Goosman was also reelected to another three-year post on the commission, with her new term ending in October 2015. She was elected 3-1 with Mr Nezvesky casting a vote for candidate Pat Riley.

At the beginning of the session Mr Cragin issued a stern warning ahead of public participation that he would not tolerate any “disrespectful, mean spirited, or insulting” comments from the two dozen audience members who were on hand at the Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue headquarters.

“If there is an attempt to continue with that I’ll stop the speaker and if there is any problem after that I will stop the meeting temporarily,” Mr Cragin said. He also welcomed his wife, Kathy, and his close friend Mike FitzSimons, who the outgoing chairman said never saw him chair a fire commissioners’ meeting.

During public participation, Sandy Hook Chief and town Fire Marshal William Halstead read from a prepared statement praising Mr Cragin’s service.

“He has developed unparalleled respect among our town officials, which has proved vital during budget and CIP discussions,” Chief Halstead said, crediting Mr Cragin for helping to establish benefits and compensation for volunteer firefighters and company staffers townwide.

“Kevin has always had the best interests of all five fire companies and citizens of Newtown in mind when working on budgets and apparatus purchases, or regulations pertaining to the fire service,” Chief Halstead continued. “In losing him, we have lost a chairman who has led the board with pride in the volunteer fire service, and has done everything possible to maintain a positive image and relationship with the residents of Newtown.”

Mr Cragin noted that while there is a standing rule that commissioners do not respond to public comments, he acknowledged the comments, saying they were “very much appreciated.”