BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
NORWOOD -- Former Norwood Fire Chief David Walters told the Norwood Civil Service Commission on Wednesday he did inform Assistant Fire Chief Tim Sennett that Mr. Sennett was going to be investigated.
But Mr. Walters said he could not recall being told not to tell Mr. Sennett about the probe.
"I felt that there was an obligation . . . that he should have been notified of an investigation," said Mr Walters, a friend of Mr. Sennett's.
A 25-year-veteran of the department, Mr. Walters was fired last month after he allegedly stopped an investigation into the actions of Mr. Sennett.
Officials accused Mr. Sennett of playing games on the fire department's computer for 12 to 16 hours at a time, preventing other firefighters from using the equipment for department work.
Mr. Sennett was also allegedly intoxicated at the firehouse and in 1997 was involved in a disorderly conduct incident at Rumors, a Mount Carmel strip club.
Norwood Mayor Joseph Hochbein fired the chief in April for allegedly impeding an investigation of Mr. Sennett, for violating direct orders, destroying evidence and failing to take responsibility for his actions, Mr. Hochbein said.
"When I put all of that together it appears dismissal is the only appropriate discipline," he said. "It is to me a serious breech of public trust. It was a pattern of misconduct."
Mr. Walters had been chief for six years.
The former chief said he was concerned that an investigation into Mr. Sennett's actions was started because of an anonymous letter received by the mayor.
It has been our experience in the past . . . that you build animosity . . . there becomes bad feelings toward the people," Mr. Walters said.
"You spend a third of your life with these people."
Regarding the alleged incident at Rumors, Mr. Walters said he felt that a fine paid by Mr. Sennett, the embarrassment caused him and "(My) kind of chewing his backside out" was adequate punishment. "I had made a ruling on it," Mr. Walters said.
"I did not see any other reason to bring it up."
Mr. Sennett was placed on administrative leave in April, the day Mr. Walters was fired.
The Civil Service Commission review of the firing will continue on June 17.
