2 Milford firefighters earn more in overtime than in base pay

The top two earners on the list were police patrol Officers Michael J. Moreno, who earned $183,045, and Sean P. Owens, who earned $179,130 — their numbers driven up largely by overtime and a category called “additional comp,” which in the case of police officers often meansprivate duty pay that comes from contractors, Erodici said.

Two firefighters who came in third and fifth on the top 20 list made more in overtime than their base pay, while four other firefighters on the list came close to doing that.

Firefighter Jeffrey T. Platek, third on the list, earned a total of $176,796, with a base salary of $79,746 and overtime pay of $93,050. Firefighter Roger M. King, fifth on the overall list, earned a base pay of $79,746 and overtime pay of $80,142 for a total of $164,435.

Everyone on the list had some amount in miscellaneous/other pay, which Erodici described in an email: “It may include severance vacation and/or sick time payouts for retired employees, annual longevity bonus pay, or vacation/relief pay (for those police or fire employees who have to fill in for others who are absent due to vacations, sick leave, etc.).”

Mayor Ben Blake said Health Director Joseph received her usual pay in 2020, despite working “about 100 hours a week” during the pandemic.

Joseph earned $145,977.

In neighboring West Haven, Health Director Maureen Lillis earned $198,411, about doubling her base salary largely because of overtime created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lillis is part of a union, but the way it works in Milford, Joseph doesn’t get overtime.

Like most mayors and first selectman who are on duty 24/7 and set the tone for their municipalities, Blake didn’t even come close to making the list, as he earned $111,668 in gross wages in 2020.

The list from highest to lowest is as follows:

— Patrol Officer Michael Moreno earned a base pay of $84,427, $37,317 in overtime and $54,146 in the “additional comp” category.

— Patrol Officer Sean Owens earned $82,072 in base pay, $18,722 in overtime and $65,759 in “additional comp.”

— Firefighter Jeffery Platek.

— Fire Lt. David B. Heenan, who made $169, 938, including a base pay of $87,379 and overtime of $77,770.

— Firefighter Roger King.

— Police Sgt. Evan Beauvais earned $160,751, of which $90,934 base pay, $21,269 in overtime and $44,990 in “additional comp.”

— Patrol officer Stephen G, Noss, $160,148 total; $84,093 base pay, $15,643 in overtime and $56,601 in “additional comp.”

— Firefighter Brian D. Carpenter, $156,225, including a base pay of $79,746 and overtime of $74,479.

— Fire Department Battalion Chief Thomas A. Thornberg, with a $154,818 total pay, including $103,189 base pay and $42,576 in overtime.

— Firefighter Kevin E. Frank, $154,609 total, including $78,066 in base pay and $70,524 in overtime.

— Patrol officer John P. Ballard earned $153,594 in total, including a $81,917 base salary, $11,216 in overtime and $55,320 in “additional comp.”

— Firefighter Tucker S. Schumitz earned $150,817, including a base pay of $74,635 and $71,166 in overtime.

— Now-retired police. Capt. Brandon D. Marschner earned $149,584, including $90,799 in base pay, $7,028 in overtime and $47,638 in miscellaneous/other pay.

— Police Chief Keith Mello, $149,218.

— Firefighter Craig E. Kasper earned $148,005, of which $79,746 was base pay and $64,440 overtime.

— Health Director Deepa Joseph.

— Firefighter John R. Lanzante earned $145,788, of which $74,162 was base pay and $64,050 in overtime.

— City Finance Director Peter A. Erodici, $144,946

— Police Capt. John A. Alexopoulos earned $144,71, of which $110,558 was base pay and $25,129 overtime.

— Police Lt. Robert J. Weymer earned $144,125, including $102,917 base pay, of which $21,647 was overtime and $14,866 in “Additional Comp.”