Greenfield Common Council Resolves Chief Residency Issue

Should interim Fire Chief Jon Cohn be chosen to permanently replace the retired Russ Spahn, he will not have to move to Greenfield.

The Common Council voted, 4-1, Tuesday in favor of a resolution to amend the city’s residency regulations in regards to its police and fire chiefs.

Previously, , but after Tuesday’s vote, the chiefs must now only live within a 15-mile radius of the city’s center, the same regulations in place for all employees in both departments.

Cohn, who lives in Hales Corners, . Deputy Inspector Bradley Wentlandt, who lives in Greenfield, has been selected to become the interim police chief . Both are considered strong candidates to take over the chief roles on a permanent basis.

Alderperson Thomas Pietrowski cast the only dissenting vote.

“Many of my constituents and I believe they should be living and working in the city,” he said.

Pietrowski was also the only alderperson to vote against raises for both Cohn and Wentlandt. The Common Council passed a resolution to move Cohn into step three of a five-step pay scale, paying him $3,669 biweekly, effective June 2. Wentlandt will be moved into step five of the scale at $4,060 biweekly, effective July 1.

“I don’t think this is the proper thing to do at this particular time,” he said. “Both people in those positions will act accordingly with the money (already) being made and should not have any problem with the pay range they are in.”

Alderperson Linda Lubotsky disagreed.

“(Cohn) is acting in the role of chief and should be moved up,” she said.

Mayor Michael Neitzke said either Cohn’s or Wentlandt’s salaries could be reverted back to their original salaries should they not be appointed chief.