WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) -- Mayor Michael J. Jarjura has chosen Bridgeport Fire Chief Michael Maglione to lead the city's fire department.

The Waterbury Fire Department has been without a permanent chief for more than a year. Maglione, who has been in Bridgeport for 33 years, is expected to begin in February.

Jarjura chose Maglione over former Naugatuck Fire Chief Kerry Flaherty because he said Bridgeport's 320-member fire department more closely mirrors the size of Waterbury's department, which has 300 firefighters.

Waterbury firefighters have a strained relationship with the state oversight board, which controls city finances and can impose contract provisions. The department is in the midst of adjusting to a new contract imposed by the board.

Maglione will have to oversee board recommendations that include eliminating positions and consolidating three firehouses into one. He will also establish a new management team.

The budgeted salary for Maglione's position is $101,000.