Conn. mayor nixes US grant over firefighter pact

DANBURY, Conn. (AP) - Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton is rejecting a $2.1 million federal grant for 14 new firefighters because he says hiring the firefighters would be too expensive as required by a labor contract turned down by firefighters.

The contract rejected by the firefighters' union proposed changes to pensions and other benefits for new employees.

The News Times of Danbury reports that Boughton said without the contract in place costs for new firefighters would be unaffordable.

Lynn Taborsak, who lost to Boughton last November, said the mayor is retaliating against the union for refusing to ratify the contract.

Boughton said he was clear during negotiations that an agreement was necessary before the grant could be accepted.

Union President Lou DeMici said the contract and grant should have been separate issues.