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Essex Selectmen Move to Put Police Dog Issue to Rest

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— The board of selectmen Wednesday acted to close the dispute over a police dog with a motion declaring the town “has never obligated itself in any manner in connection with a police canine unit.”

The issue arose at a Sept. 2 meeting where Republican Selectman Vince Pacileo confirmed that Democratic First Selectman Phil Miller had paid gasoline expenses last January for officer Sal Bevilacqua to travel to Ohio to pick up a German Sheppard. Bevilacqua paid $600 from his own funds to acquire the dog and has been keeping it at his Deep River residence during the succeeding months. The board of selectmen had received a presentation on a possible police canine unit last December, but never formally authorized the acquisition and training of a police dog.

The motion, approved on a 2-1 vote with Pacileo opposed, notes the dog “has never been accepted and/or placed in to town service,” and the town has “never obligated itself for compensation of any kind” in connection with Bevilacqua’s “personal pet.” It declares that Bevilacqua “apparently misunderstood these circumstances when it should have been clear to him that he and his pet were never going to be trained and accepted in to town service.”

Pacileo, who unsuccessfully attempted to insert his own account of the Sept. 2 meeting in to the board’s offiical meeting minutes, said the motion was “frankly fiction,” because Miller had referred to a town police dog in a letter of appreciation sent after the town accepted free medical checks of the dog from the Essex Veterinary Clinic.

In response to a question from Pacileo about any possible claim for compensation, Bevilacqua said “it’s been left to my attorney and the town’s attorney and that’s all I was advised to say about it.” Bevilacqua said after the meeting he has retained New Haven lawyer Alphonse Balzano to represent him and has submitted a claim to the town for compensation of expenses related to the dog. Bevilacqua declined to specify the amount of his request for compensation.

But Miller said any claim from Bevilacqua would be not be honored by the town. “He’s not entitled,” Miller said.

Bevilacqua said he plans to keep the dog even if there is no compensation from the town. “It wouldn’t be fair for him to end up in the pound because of all this,” he said.

Posted by admin on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 9:52 pm 
Filed under Essex · Tagged with , ,

  • janefrancis
    I feel the situation with Officer B is just ridiculous. This town needs an Officer that will concentrate on more important issues and on bettering himself as an officer before trying to get involved with a DOG. Our town is a great place, however there are serious issues relating to personnel! I give Ms. Varricchio the credit for what has been implemented in the town/town hall. A good leader knows how to work through and resolve issues and not add to them. Shame on Mr.Miller for not knowing the rules and or laws for having a canine. Shame on Officer B for trying to manipulate the town and make money. Maybe we change of Officer and Selectman???
  • facts2009
    Jane, I have to agree with you on a few things. It does appear that Mr. Miller added on to his and the towns problems by hiring Officer B and then adding on to it by believing his intentions were sincere. We should expect a better vetting procress from our leaders and hope that they fully understand what is presented before making decisions and if they don't, defer to someone who does. But I also concur with you when it comes to Officer B. Also like ivorytonreseident had previously said, he should be happy and fortunate to have a job as a police officer and should put more effort into learning the town (our citizens) and not trying to manuever his way around the system already. If he is doing this now, I can only wonder what should we expect in town from him in another 2-3-4 years. I think we need some strong leadership to work through these issues, get them resolved
  • facts2009
    Ivorytonresident, your are correct, Mrs. Varricchio as does any employee works at the discretion of the First Selectman and as any good leader should, they should surround themselves with intelligent and professional people. So for hiring her, kudos to Mr. Miller, for letting her go, well thats a negative. I also agree, we should stop beating a "dead dog", but why is it so hard for everyone to involved to just admit, "I was wrong: I believe that when we are honest about our errors or mistakes it is easier to accept and move on. But when people, espiecally elected ones or those in positions of public trust (including police) seem to defer from the truth and dance around issues. After reading the BOS minutes and attached memorandum from Officer Beviliacqua to Mr. Miller, it certainly appears as though Officer Bevilacqua mislead his intentions, but Mr. Miller hired him. Mr. Miller should have immediately told the officer after the initial presentation that it was something the town was not interested in and to better learn the town, the people and his job before this will be revisited, but he didn't. This inability to effective communicate is a reason for many of the problems in my opinion. We do have a pretty good town and prior to Mr. Miller hiring the last two officers who have seemed to generate many of the problems, there didnt appear to be any issues in the police. Maybe the town should reduce the size of our local force to eliminate some of those problems.

    I might just take you up on that offer in 2 years depending on the issues at that time. If I do consider it, maybe you and I can sit down and discuss what issues are the most important to the citizens and possibly run together. I am assuming (maybe incorrectly) that you are a democrat, but affiliation does not make a difference to me, the desire to do whats right, honesty and integrity, thats how I forge my affiliations. I enjoy discussing these issues with you.
  • ivorytonresident
    lololo, we went from disagreeing to running together, that's what I like about communication, it can either drive people apart or bring them together. Actually, I think Mrs. Varricchio was there when Mr. Miller took office, if I'm not mistaken, maybe I'm wrong, and she wasn't let go but took another position in another town and resigned. I think there was a total misunderstanding on both sides (their own perception of what happened) and they need to end it. They should compromise,meet in the middle and settle it, the town can pay Officer B. for that portion that they agree on. I don't want to see attorneys fees wracked up to take care of this. It can be settled without them interfering, although Officer B. hired one so I guess that takes care of that. I too enjoy discussing this with you, you never know, Facts2009 and Ivoryontresident on the same ticket, anything is possible.

    P.S. - was unaffiliated for many years and would have no problem being one again.
  • facts2009
    I agree with you, if you can go from opposite ends of the spectrum to discussing the issuses and using that lost abilility called "communication" to actually see that we may have the same points of view, but different avenues and beliefs as to how to reach them. I think you are right about Mrs. Varricchio, but if someone is that valuable and makes you look that good, I personally wouldnt let them go. Like you, Mr. Miller & Officer B. should sit down, close the door and settle this issue for the last time. I do have to say that after reading the BOS minutes and Officer B's memorandum, it kind of seems that he might have worked the system more then he leads on to, hoping that he would get a payday out of it. I have a problem trusting someone who is in a position of public trust and seems to be sneaky in thier motives. I also am not excited about the towns lawyers having such a merry merry holiday season with all our tax dollars. I guess with Officer B having a lawyer now to, who knows what will happen.

    Facts209 - Ivorytonresident 2011????
  • ivorytonresident
    I know Phil Miller and he's the type of person who would hate to loose a good employee, but would not try to hold them back if they found an opportunity that they felt was a better fit. I wish Mrs. Varricchio the best of luck and thank her for her many years of service to our town. I am confident that they will find an appropriate replacement that can, as she did, grow with the position and assist the Board of Selectman in their duties. I, like you, would like to see this dog situation put to bed and have the least attorney hours spent on it so they can get back to the business of running the town. I am hoping that a face-to-face with all parties and their attorneys will end it with each side giving a little to meet in the middle. Your thoughts on Officer B. working the system are very interesting and I share those same feelings. We are having an issue right now with a few of our officers and I don't like it. They should not be able to push the town around and hide behind their union. They should come to work, do their job and be thankful that they have a job to come to. If they don't like working in Essex I am sure there are other officers that would take their positions.
  • facts2009
    Once again I agree with you on many of your points. I believe I know the other officer you are refering to and like you know Mr. Miller, I know the other officer and I believe he has been around for several years, even taught my children DARE in the EES. I have know him to be involved in the other functions for the kids and any interaction I have seen him involved with or have heard thorugh other residents have been positive. I do not know why over the past 8 months or so all these issues with the police have arisen. Officer B. is different in my opinion, he seems to want want, but doesnt want to earn it first, just an opinion. Maybe if the older officer and the Mr. Miller use our philosophy of talking and working things out, all this other "stuff" would not be the talk of the town. It seems theres to much secrecy and hidden agendas, lets be open and look for solutions to better serve our town. They should be thankful to have a job. We are agreeing on to many things now!
  • asava
    We can do without the name calling, everyone. I realize this topic might generate some strong emotions but comments like those left by 'facts2009' do not add productively to the discussion. It has been removed.

    I will be watching comments more closely, please let's make our points without insults to others in the community.

    Anna Sava, Editorial Director
  • Jerome Wilson, Essex
    To the Editor,

    What a marvelous service LocalOnlineNewsTV is! We are indeed fortunate to have someone like the very civic Lon Seidman in our community to bring us the local news, and a place to comment on it as well.

    Here is my comment on Essex dog controversy.

    In the first place First Selectman Phil Miller should not have authorized the use of the town's credit card for gas for an Essex polcieman to drive out to Ohio to select a candidate dog for the town, without first getting the approval of the expenditure by the Board of Selectman, with said approval stating clearly that this expenditure was not to be construed as authorizing the town's purchase of the dog. This was an out of the ordinary expenditure, which, unfortunately, could be interpreted as the town approval for the dog's purchase.

    The way to clear up this matter is obviously for the First Selectman to reimburse the town out of his pocket for the unauthorized gas expenditure. This would clearly demonstrate that this was a personal contribution by Miller to the town and not the town authorization for a dog purchase.

    At the very least the Board of Selctman should vote, ex post facto, that this expenditure did not constitute approval for a fulltime polcie dog by the town. I for one think that the Miller-Needleman team has done a great deal for the town, but of course no one is perfect. A simple, public apology by Miller for his dog travel authorization might also do trick in clearling up this matter.

    As for the involvement of an Essex policemen in this matter, it would be of far greater benefit to the town, if we saw more police on the streets of Essex, rather than driving out to Ohio for an unwanted police pet. Our Essex police should get out of town hall, and even out of their police cars, and walk down Main Street, when it is crowded with weekend tourists. Also, speeders coming down the hill of Book Hill Road to River Road is still an enormous problem. One of these days one of the casual walkers on Book Hill Road is going to be injured by a car going 50 miles an hour. Where are the police?

    We do not need a dog in Essex for the police. We do need our police showing their presence in our community, with some of them out of their cars and walking around the town.
  • JAMEJO
    The unfortunate problem here is that people can post without letting us know who they are. I should think that anyone allowed to write in response to an article or to a response, and have that letter posted, should have to have their name posted, also, as in every other paper. One can only assume political mischief and personal agenda when anonymity is allowed in public comment.

    Jonathan James
  • luvuessex
    Something smells worse than wet dog here. It must be nice for Mr. Miller to simply say something never happened and get the Board of Selectmen to go along. If Mr. Miller is so ready pretend he did not obligatedthe town to a dog, then what will he "pretend" he did not do when a VERY serious town matter arises? How far can we trust such a man? I wonder what he is truly capable of when his back is against the wall and he is caught doing something he should not have done--like commit to a police cannine without approval and sent (oh, yes, and pay the gas charges) to pick up a dog in Ohio.

    I do not trust you Mr. Miller and hame on the other selectmen who went along with him. Ask the tough questions now.
  • ivorytonresident
    luvuessex, yes, gas was paid for and a letter written, but this does not make the dog an Essex "employee", especially since there was no formal program in place, and the dog nor the officer were ever signed up for training. The officer pitched the idea to the First Selectman, actually telling him that he was buying it as a personal pet and would possibly want to put it (and himself) into a police dog program in the future, although he knew there was no program in place. The First Selectman offered to pay for his gas as a good will gesture, and after the officer went out on his own to solicit veterinary services, the First Selectman wrote a letter to thank them. Still, the dog is not an employeee. At that point there should have been another meeting to solidify what type of plan would be put into place for a police dog program if any, and to have it approved by the taxpayers. The First Selectman just doesn't snap his fingers and a plan is in place. He would have to discuss it at length with the other selectman, get funding, etc. From my understanding this did not happen and Officer B. made no assertions to make sure the program came to fruition. Case closed; he dropped the ball and then surfaces when he wants bills paid because his pet has chewed up his furniture and needs to eat. It is unconscionable that the officer would hire an attorney to negotiate reimbursement of expenses he feels he is due from the town. If I did that at my job, I would be out of a job. If you knew Phil Miller you would know that he is an upstanding and honest person. He has done more for this town than any First Selectman before him. One selectman from the three is making this issue his personal venue for his own political gain. Officer B. is being used as a puppet and he doesn't even see it, he thinks the minority selectman is doing this to help him, when he is doing it to cast himself in a righteous light. Isn't it strange that this is all happening right around election time? You are easily drawn into these antics which is exactly what the minority selectman wants. My solution would be to go back to the time when Essex was overseen soley by the State Police. If Officer B. does not like his employer then he should resign. Maybe he could go into dog training.
  • dilbert468
    It's saddening to read that there are individuals in town who feel the first selectman has acted in good faith throughout the duration of this dog incident. All evidence suggests otherwise; reimbursement for gas was not a "good will gesture" on the part of the first selectman and the letter written to the vet clearly implies the dog was meant for town use. It's obvious there was intent to bring on the dog as a new police recruit.

    And, ivorytonresident, the minority selectman is not trying to craft a political agenda. It is utterly apparent the minority selectman must continually try to set the record straight in town because of a habitual lack of integrity from the majority. Taking on such a task must be frustrating for the minority selectman because from what I can see, he is working hard to get the town back to a level of civility and transparency that has remained absent from the town since the majority took the reins.

    As evidence of this, look at the minutes from the Sept. 2nd BOS meeting and note how they were poorly recorded and omit a great deal of information regarding the dog incident (ask anyone who was there, too). If you want to talk about a "political move" then explain why the majority struck down a motion to revise the Sept. 2nd minutes at their last meeting? Clearly, the majority on the board is working hard to keep factually correct information from residents - and residents deserve the truth.
  • ivorytonresident
    With your use of the word "transparency," which is the word that is being thrown around by the republican party right now and on all of their adds, I am assuming that you are part of that camp. I guess we will see what the people will say on Nov. 3rd, which is the true test of what the residents want for a leader in the First Selectman's office. Promises made in campaign speeches and handouts are all well and good, implementing them is another thing altogether and I can only imagine that sitting in the Selectman's chair day in and day out has to be a lesson in patience and self-control. This is Essex people, not Washington. We are at tiny town in a tiny state. People need to get out of town and see what goes on in the big world out there to put their myopic views of what happnes in Essex into perspective.
  • facts2009
    Ivorytonresident, you mention thaty the republican party throws around the word "transparency" everywhere now. Correct me if I am wrong, wasn't that the platform of the democratic campaign for President Obama? I am a registered independent in town so i dont have a "dog" in either camp. Based on all the information and facts that have recenlty come out (refer to BOS meeting minutes), it cetainly would appear that we don't have transparency in our local goverment now and all of us in town should be happy that at least one elected official is trying to bring the whole truth to light so we can make educated decisions. As far as my research goes, it appears that the former administrative manager for the town, Mrs. Varricchio, actually was the one who did all the reasearch and applications for the numerous grants we were able to benefit from in town, not Mr. Miller. I do disagree with you when you separate Essex to Washington, the problem with all politics today is that it appears that elected officials seem to forget they supposed to be an extension of it's citizens and thier needs and concerns. Whether you live in a small town like ours or a large city, should we expect less from our elected officials because of our size? We the poeple will have a chance to make the decision on Nov. 3rd and like you stated.
  • ivorytonresident
    Mrs. Varricchio worked at the direction of the First Selectman, i.e., what she was able to succeed in he succeeded in. I do separate Essex from Washington because people need to get a life. If they got out of their own back yard they might find out that what they have here in Essex is a pretty nice life and they would stop beating a dead horse, or should I say, a dead dog. This is a small town and more important things need to be addressed. That's fabulous that you are an independent. Shall I suggest to you that in 2 years that you throw your hat into the ring and run for First Selectman/woman, whatever the case may be, and we will see if you can be a part of the solution.
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