Nine Milford, CT, Firefighters Among Top Wage Earners in '24

Aug. 26—MILFORD — First responders dominated city government's top 25 wage earners in 2024, with 12 police officers and nine firefighters on the list, according to data from city officials.

The top 25 ranges from police officer Michael Moreno, who once again topped the list, at $215,831 to Fire Chief Anthony Fabrizi at No. 25 with $155,136. In 2023, police held 16 of the top spots and firefighters eight, with only one City Hall employee in the top 25.

In 2024, school Superintendent Anna Cutaia remained the overall highest paid employee in Milford, including both school and city employees, at $256,786.

The only individuals in the top 25 not with police or fire are Finance Director Peter Erodici ($164,563) at 12, Health Director Deepa Joseph ($164,127) at 13 and Wastewater Superintendent Lindsay King ($163,063) at 14.

Firefighter John Lanzante was second with $186,108, followed by patrol officer Sean Owens ($181,984), Police Chief Keith Mello ($181,339), police Sgt. John Ballard ($178,430) and patrol officer Michael Brennan ($172,465).

Fire Lt. Jeffrey Platek ($172,116), firefighter Craig Kasper ($169,191), Deputy Police Chief Brian Rojee ($166,383) and Fire Capt. Daniel Talaniec ($165,295) rounded out the top 10.

It's not unusual for firefighters and police to be among a city's leading wage earners. With emergency workers, overtime and extra duty typically add thousands of dollars to an employee's annual pay on top of the base salary.

Mello said the police officer totals reflect their city salary, overtime worked for city jobs, educational incentives, longevity pay, uniform allowances, and unused vacation payouts (when officers do not use their vacations days and instead receive pay for them at the end of the fiscal year).

Also, Mello said these totals include the pay officers make when working directly for a private contractor such as a utility or construction company performing work in the road. It is important to note that this portion of the officer's compensation is paid by the private contractor, not the city taxpayers. In fact, the city charges the private contractors an additional 25% for administrative costs, and much of that revenue goes right back to the city to fund operational expenses.

Mello said much of the overtime pay is the result of officers having to work extra shifts that are vacant due to open assignments, officers on vacations, out sick, or in training. Also, critical investigations or incidents may require that officers work additional hours, Mello said, and often officers are involuntarily held over to work extra shifts due to vacancies that must be staffed to maintain an adequate number of police officers on duty.

"Firefighter compensation reflects the unique demands and responsibilities of protecting public safety 24/7/365," said Ryan LaGuardia, President of the Milford Professional Firefighters local 944.

"While base wages are consistent with other public safety positions, overtime earnings are driven by contractual staffing requirements that ensure adequate emergency response coverage," LaGuardia added.

Firefighters, he said, are required to work holidays, nights and extended shifts to maintain minimum safety standards set by collective bargaining agreements. He said every hour of overtime represents actual emergency responses and essential services delivered to our community.

Fire Lt. Gavin O'Brien ($164,533) had the 11th highest salary in Milford, followed by Erodici, Joseph and King.

Police Sgt. Stephen Noss was 15th at $160,764, followed by fire Lt. Brian Carpenter ($160,290), police Capt. Donald McCollum ($158,330), firefighter Ryan Antonino ($158,328), police Sgt, Douglas Youd ($158,012), police Sgt. Kyle Magnan ($157,998), police Capt. Joseph Sikorsky ($157,555), Battalion Chief Jason Dombrowski ($156,805) and police Lt. Robert Weymer ($155,278). Fabrizi rounded out the top 25.

The fire department has 109 members spread through four shifts, Fire Marshal Division and day-time administration officers. LaGuardia said there were a total of nine vacancies but four have been filled with new hires who are headed to the academy.

"Firefighter compensation reflects the unique demands and responsibilities of protecting public safety 24/7/365," LaGuardia said. "While base wages are just below average with other public safety positions, overtime earnings are driven by contractual staffing requirements that ensure adequate emergency response coverage. Firefighters are required to work holidays, nights, and extended shifts to maintain minimum safety standards set by collective bargaining agreements. Every hour of overtime represents actual emergency responses and essential services delivered to our community."