risk to public safety using fire hydrant to fill his ice rink

Firefighter arrested; allegedly used hydrant to fill his skating rink
By: Lisa Backus, Special to The Herald
01/18/2007
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FARMINGTON - Town officials said they are still trying to determine if any action will be taken against a local firefighter who was arrested Tuesday for hooking up a fire hose to a fire hydrant to fill his skating rink.
Mary-Ellen Harper, town director of Fire and Emergency Services, confirmed that Tunxis Hose volunteer firefighter Stephen Miceli, 42, of 168 Main St., was arrested on fourth-degree criminal mischief charges after he was caught in the act of filling his skating rink.
"We have determined that no town property was used," Harper said. "At this point, the town has to review all the facts and determine the course of action." Police said Miceli was found siphoning water from a fire hydrant around 5 p.m. Tuesday using a fire hose that he said had been discarded. Miceli was arrested on a charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief and released on a written promise to appear. He is expected to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Tuesday.
The hydrant is maintained and owned by Connecticut Water Co. Water company officials said they have been made aware of the arrest and are cautioning residents that tampering with a fire hydrant could result in compromising public safety.