HAMMONTON — Two of six volunteer firefighters named in complaints of harassing or threatening behavior were cleared of wrongdoing and their suspensions overturned at a special Town Council meeting Thursday afternoon.
An investigation found no
evidence that John Warren and his son John Michael Warren did what a
complaint alleged, said Town Solicitor Brian Howell, in recommending
they be reinstated as members of Volunteer Fire Company Station 2.
His recommendation was accepted by the council in a vote of four in favor, with Councilmen Mickey Pullia and Ed Wuilllermin recusing themselves from the vote. Deputy Mayor Tom Gribbin was not able to attend.
Mayor Steve DiDonato apologized
to the Warrens and to their families, and Councilman Michael Torrissi
suggested that in future, firefighters who are named in complaints not
be publicly identified until the investigation process is complete.
The Warrens attended but declined to comment.
The Warrens are again active
members of Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Company Station 2, said
Assistant Chief Bill Eppler.
“My desire would be in future,
anything like this should happen, the names be removed until such time
as charges can be validated,” said Eppler, agreeing with Torrissi’s
suggestion.
DiDonato declined to say what
charges were made against the Warrens, or specifically what charges have
been made against the other four firefighters.
He has said only that four firefighters were accused of sexual harassment, two of sending threatening text messages, and one of aggressive driving and trying to force another firefighter off the road.
The mayor said Thursday the town
had little choice but to remove or suspend firefighters while
investigating, in order to protect the safety of all involved and to
protect the taxpayers of the town.
“When allegations are brought to
our level, we must act,” DiDonato said, or risk liability for a future
lawsuit. “We are here to make sure all of the town’s volunteers are
treated with respect and enjoy a safe working environment.”
The town has a code of conduct,
he said, and it is the council’s job to enforce it. He also thanked all
of the town’s volunteers for giving their time for the common good.
Locals shopping later in the day
said names of accused firefighters should be kept private until
investigations are complete so innocent people’s reputations aren’t
harmed.
“Once you throw the feathers out, you can’t collect them again,” said Ruth Brown, who said she has friends in Station 2.
But she also said gender should not be an issue among firefighters“No matter what gender you are, serving your community or country should never be an issue,” she said.
“There has been just enough information to stir the pot, and not enough to really inform,” said Connie Bottinelli.
Howell said he and Business
Administrator Jerry Barberio are conducting the investigation.
Thursday’s action resolved one complaint, but he and Barberio are
continuing to investigate others, he said.
Allegations are still pending
against firefighters John A. Brigandi, whose Sept. 28 resignation was
rescinded at the meeting and who is now under suspension; junior
firefighter Joe Caruso, and his father, also named Joe Caruso; and Bill
Tomasello.
The elder Caruso and Tomasello
were suspended Sept. 28, and the younger Caruso, still in his
probationary period, removed from the company.
All of the accused belong to Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Company Station 2, located on the White Horse Pike.
Brigandi, 43, is the Atlantic
County sheriff’s officer charged in June with official misconduct and
theft for allegedly improperly withdrawing more than $1,500 from a local
PBA account with the help of an alleged accomplice.
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s
Office spokesman Jay McKeen said recently that case is under grand jury
review, meaning it has not yet been presented to a grand jury.
Allegations regarding Brigandi
have nothing to do with the criminal charges, but only with his behavior
as a volunteer firefighter, DiDonato has said.
Contact: 609-272-7219
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