SECAUCUS AND BEYOND — New Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, who is a former volunteer fire supervisor in that town, said he is awaiting a legal opinion from Town Attorney Frank Leanza and a labor attorney regarding whether Secaucus can reinstate three former volunteer firefighters who resigned in a hail of controversy in August 2008.
Though criminal charges were never brought against them, the three firefighters were implicated in alleged harassment against a gay couple who sued Secaucus and won a hefty judgment a year and a half ago.
A Hudson County Superior Court jury awarded the couple $2.8 million for harassment they said they endured while living next to the North End firehouse. The jury also awarded the couple $2 million for their legal fees.
After the trial ended, the three firefighters chose to resign rather than face an administrative hearing.
As a result of the judgment against Secaucus, the town’s insurers, who paid out the money awarded to the couple, required that the town improve the anti-harassment training offered to municipal volunteers.
Read more starting this Sunday at www.hudsonreporter.com. – E. Assata Wright