Fire Commission Honors Patz, Approves Ledger Report

Other Committee · Meeting of October 8, 2026

NEWINGTON — The Newington Board of Fire Commissioners mourned past commissioner Timmy Kelleher and honored Captain Eddie Patz for earning Fire Officer 3 certification at its October 8 meeting. Commissioners reported a September compliance rating of 89 percent from the fire marshal's office, which is operating without an assistant fire marshal while Marshal Hoffman is on vacation. The board approved September 10 minutes, accepted monthly communications and approved ledger status, all unanimously.

On the Company 3 Chapman Street renovation, a project representative said remaining construction-plan costs stood at "just under $300,000," with bidding targeted for spring. The board said a Company 4 station fact sheet went townwide via the "Rare Reminder" newsletter and will appear at polling places on an upcoming voting day. Commissioner Stoddard credited Kelleher with introducing large-diameter hose to the department, calling him "a good guy."

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 1,717 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of October 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

Opening Tribute to Timmy Kelleher

Before the Pledge of Allegiance, the board asked for "extra special prayers for the Kelleher family" after the death this week of Timmy Kelleher, a past Newington fire commissioner. The chairman told viewers Kelleher's family "has been in public service for their whole lives" and were "great friends and part of our Newington Fire Department family." The tribute reappeared later in the meeting during commissioner remarks, when two members gave personal recollections, making Kelleher's passing the emotional throughline of the session rather than a single agenda line.

Approval of Minutes and Public Participation

The board approved the minutes of its September 10, 2026 meeting on a motion and second with no discussion, and no members of the public spoke during either of two public-participation windows, prompting the chairman to joke, "That's a first. That's a quiet night."

Communications and Monthly Reports: Training Pipeline

The board's monthly communications review covered the department's training pipeline in detail. A reporting commissioner said three firefighters are enrolled in the fall Firefighter 1 class and three in Firefighter 2, and that the state has approved Newington to host a Fire Officer 4 class beginning in March, with the department hoping to also host Fire Officer 2 locally "next year." The same report corrected a printed date for Chief John Oates's officers training, moving it from October 10 to October 13. These are routine training updates but establish the volume of certification activity underlying the Patz recognition that followed.

Recognition of Captain Eddie Patz, Fire Officer 3

The agenda's most ceremonial item was the board's recognition of Captain Eddie Patz of Company 4, who the board said "successfully met all requirements of fire service professional qualification as set forth in the regulations of the state of Connecticut, Section 7-3231," becoming certified as Fire Officer 3. The chairman framed the achievement as voluntary and uncompensated beyond town-funded training, telling the room: "These gentlemen that are gaining these high certifications don't have to do this. They do it on their own. It's paid for by the town." He went further, comparing Newington's department favorably to peers statewide

"I bet you there's, let me get in trouble for this, but there's not too many that can hold a candle to Newington."

[00:06:53] — Chairman Brian, Newington Board of Fire Commissioners

No vote accompanied the recognition; it was an honorary acknowledgment rather than a formal board action.

Fire Prevention Week, Open House and Pancake Breakfast

Commissioners noted the department is in Fire Prevention Week, with school visits continuing through the week and an open house scheduled for Saturday. One commissioner said last year's open house was the event's first and "was a big success," expressing hope attendance would double this year. A Cadet Pancake Breakfast is set for October 25 at Company 1. These are calendar items without deliberation or dissent.

Stipends and Fire Marshal's Report

Commissioners confirmed firefighter stipends will be issued October 15, earlier than the traditional pre-Thanksgiving timing, with one member clarifying, "this is just the stipends coming out early." The fire marshal's report showed a September compliance rating of 89 percent. The board noted the rating was achieved despite the office operating without an assistant fire marshal, with a commissioner stating Marshal Hoffman is "on vacation" and that the office hasn't yet brought a hiring recommendation to the board because scheduling "didn't jive with the interviews and everything to come to us for approval." Commissioners said all legwork, applications and interviews for the assistant marshal position are complete, and that they would convene a special meeting to appoint a new assistant fire marshal if the timing does not align with the board's regular November meeting.

Ledger Status Review

Commissioner Stoddard reported having reviewed both the fire department's ledger and the fire marshal's ledger, telling the board "they're both in control." The board moved to approve the ledger status on a motion and second, with no discussion of specific line items.

Old Business: Company 3 Chapman Street Station

The board's most substantive capital-project discussion involved the Company 3 renovation on Chapman Street. A resident identified in the discussion as Chris reported that an architect had been selected and that remaining construction-plan costs were "just under $300,000." Asked whether the project committee's plan was to proceed, the response described a phased approach still under consideration: addressing exterior elements, including windows, doors and roof, as one contained phase, with other work potentially following in a second phase. The goal discussed was to go out to bid "springish," meaning spring 2027, pending completion of architect plans. No vote was taken; the item remains an active capital project under committee oversight.

Old Business: Company 4 Station Fact Sheet

For the Company 4 station, commissioners said the Town Manager's office released a public fact sheet the day of the meeting through the town's "Rare Reminder" mailed newsletter, in addition to postings at the library, the community center and on the town website. Commissioners further said the fact sheet will be posted "at all of the polling places" on an unspecified upcoming voting day. One commissioner noted uncertainty about who authorized the distribution timing, saying, "I don't know who authorizes that." The exchange suggests the Company 4 project is connected to an upcoming town vote, though the transcript did not specify the vote's date or exact subject matter.

Company 3 Property Expansion

Separately from the Chapman Street renovation, commissioners discussed a possible expansion involving the property adjacent to Company 3. A commissioner said the town has applied for a grant intended to close the gap between the town's budgeted amount and the asking price of the property owner. The item is paused pending a survey the owner has agreed to commission; commissioners said the fire chief is being kept informed of progress by town staff, without identifying which staff member specifically.

Service 2, Exhaust System and Burn Room

The board closed out several completed or near-complete capital items. Service 2, described as a rescue vehicle with a liftgate for heavy objects such as frozen hose, went into service at Station 2 "a couple weeks ago." Commissioners credited staff members Nico and Austin for the vehicle's lettering work, calling it "a huge asset down at the south end of town." A firehouse exhaust-system retrofit across all companies, which required rewiring fan equipment, was reported complete, with one commissioner thanking "the town manager's office for finding the funds for that last year." Burn-room repairs were reported as having most supplies on hand, pending contractor coordination on a plan.

Assistant Fire Marshal Search and Chief Evaluations

Commissioners reiterated that Marshal Hoffman's vacation delayed bringing the assistant fire marshal hire to the board and repeated their willingness to call a special meeting rather than wait until November. Separately, commissioners reported the department's annual chief evaluations were completed "a few weeks ago," describing positive results. One commissioner reflected on the process

"I find it just incredible that the knowledge that this group of individuals has for the Town of Newington... they do an awesome job as a command staff for the fire department."

[00:23:32] — Commissioner DeMaio, Newington Board of Fire Commissioners

Company 1 Floor Issue

Commissioners said they met with a contractor regarding a flooring complaint at Company 1. The contractor reportedly did not favor the appearance in one section but advised the floor should be allowed to "wear in" before further remediation is considered. The board said the concern is documented for the record. No new business items were raised.

Public Participation and Commissioner Remarks

No members of the public spoke during the meeting's second comment period. In commissioner remarks, Stoddard apologized for missing Kelleher's funeral due to a scheduling conflict at a family property, then praised Kelleher's legacy, crediting him with pushing the department to adopt large-diameter hose. Commissioner DeMaio's remarks focused on the chief evaluations and praise for command staff. The chairman closed with an extended personal recollection, describing meeting Kelleher as an 18-year-old working at an auto parts store on the Berlin Turnpike, receiving his first leather fire helmet from him, and noting that Kelleher's children also entered public service, including a Hartford firefighter, a police officer and a Westfield, Massachusetts, police officer. The chairman ended the meeting with a seasonal public-safety reminder against parking vehicles on piles of leaves and urged residents to have heating systems inspected before winter.

Adjournment

The board adjourned on a motion and second with a unanimous voice vote. The meeting, delayed roughly four minutes at the start by technical difficulties, ended earlier than its typical length.

Chairman Brian, presiding officer of the Newington Board of Fire Commissioners (surname not given in available sources).

Commissioner Stoddard, Newington Board of Fire Commissioners, reviewed ledger status and gave remarks on Kelleher.

Commissioner DeMaio, Newington Board of Fire Commissioners, gave remarks on chief evaluations (name rendered as both "DeMayo" and "DeMaio" in the transcript).

Captain Eddie Patz, Company 4, recognized for Fire Officer 3 certification; also referred to once as "Captain Pats" in the transcript.

Chris, identified as connected to the Company 3 Chapman Street project discussion; surname and affiliation not given.

Fire Marshal Hoffman, Newington Fire Department, reported on vacation; not present.

Chief John Oates, referenced regarding an officers training date correction; role and department affiliation not further specified in the transcript.

Town Manager James, referenced regarding the Company 4 fact sheet; surname not given.

Nico and Austin, credited for lettering work on the Service 2 vehicle; surnames and titles not given.

No members of the public spoke during either public-participation period; "Sherry" was referenced as monitoring online attendance but did not speak.

Connecticut Office of State Fire Administration / State Fire Academy — cited as the certifying body for Captain Patz's Fire Officer 3 credential.

Connecticut General Statutes, cited in the meeting as "Section 7-3231" — referenced as the basis for state fire service professional qualification standards.

Town of Newington "Rare Reminder" newsletter — cited as the vehicle used to distribute the Company 4 fact sheet townwide.

Town of Newington website — cited as an additional location where the Company 4 fact sheet was posted.

Company 3 Chapman Street renovation project committee — referenced regarding architect selection and phased construction planning.