Litrico Placed on Unpaid Leave By Eighth District Pending Investigation

, the 24-year old member of the Eighth Utilities District fire department who was arrested last week at the fire house on Main Street and charged with purchasing heroin while on duty, was formally placed on unpaid suspension by Eighth Utilities District President Mary O'Marra Monday pending an investigation into his conduct. 

O'Marra, who as president by the district's charter is the only person with authority to hire, fire or suspend personnel within the district, took the action at the district's Board of Directors meeting Monday evening. Board of Director John Topping said the suspension without pay was retroactive to the date of Litrico's arrest, Monday, March 12. 

Litrico is the son of Eighth Utilities District Fire Chief Paul Litrico and Assistant Chief Mary Beth Litrico. He serves as a fire fighter and an Emergency Medical Technician for the district, and holds one of the few paid positions in the largely volunteer department. 

According to police, Litrico was observed by surveillance units purchasing heroin while on duty and in uniform in the parking lot of the fire house on Main Street last Monday. When police approached Litrico, they say he admitted to purchasing the drugs. A search of Litrico's person and vehicle revealed five bags of heroin (approximately 1.97 grams), more than 50 bags of already used heroin, Suboxone pills — a restricted narcotic used to treat opiate addictions — a small amount of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. 

When asked about Litrico's suspension or the subsequent investigation, O'Marra declined to comment Monday evening. 

"At this point it's a personnel matter and I have nothing further to say about it," she said. 

O'Marra said the internal investigation into Litrico's activities will be conducted by "a committee" of the seven-member Eighth Utilities District Board of Directors. 

The Eighth Utilities District is an autonomous, volunteer fire department servicing the northern section of Manchester, which consists of about 100 volunteer firefighters and several paid positions. Residents in the district pay an adjusted tax rate and a separate fee for fire and sewer services. 

Litrico is due to appear in Manchester Superior Court on charges of possession of heroin, possession of Suboxone, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of narcotics within 1,500 of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of a school and possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana on March 22, 2012. He has been freed on $10,000 non-surety bond.