Firefighters and members of the Town Council will have to continue negotiating a new contract after the Town Council turned down the latest offering.
After a lengthy executive session, the Town Council voted 7-4 on Friday morning to reject a proposed contract between the town and New Canaan Firefighters Union Local 3221. Contract discussions began Thursday evening and continued Friday morning before the vote. Details of the proposed contract were not available Friday. The firefighters' contract with the town expired June 30.
In a statement, Town Council Chairman Mark DeWaele said the town wants to continue talks. "The Town Council voted not to approve the tentative agreement with the Fire Fighters Bargaining Unit," DeWaele said. "The council reassured the firefighters present that we and the community value their exemplary service and commitment to the safety of our town. After three long days of deliberation, a 7-4 majority of the council felt it was in the best interest of both the town and the firefighters' union to resume a dialogue."
First Selectman Jeb Walker declined to comment, saying he could not discuss aspects of the collective-bargaining process.
Capt. Ron Petrone, president of the firefighters' union, would not comment on the vote or the proposed contract because it's still in negotiations. "We need to sit down with the committee and go from there," he said. "I'm not upset. It's negotiations."
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