HARTFORD–Some members of a task force commissioned by Mayor Pedro Segarra to investigate operations at the recently troubled Hartford Fire Department held an illegal meeting today, a city government source confirmed.
“The mayor has just learned that there was a partial meeting today with three of the five members of the task force,” a statement released by director of communications for the mayor, Maribel La Luz, said late Tuesday.
The task force, consisting of retired city fire chiefs John Stewart, Nelson Carter, Charles Teale, Edward Casares, and current Police Chief James Rovella, was formed earlier this month in the wake of several incidents at the fire department, including firefighter arrests and the death of firefighter Kevin Bell in the line of duty.
“The mayor appreciates their eagerness and their willingness to help, however there is a process to be followed for public meetings,” La Luz’s statement read. “This process may be new for some of the members…Moving forward any meetings will be publicly noticed ahead of time. It’s important that these meetings be transparent.”
