Norwich - The chief of the Occum Volunteer Fire Department has resigned and the department is undergoing a review after city officials discovered the former chief had spent more than $27,000 on promotional items such as plastic helmets, crayons and coloring books, Mayor Peter Nystrom said.Chief Robert Riley resigned just before Christmas, days after the city's comptroller's office found the purchases.

Chief Robert Riley resigned just before Christmas, days after the city's comptroller's office found the purchases.The purchases were made on the department's commercial card, or "p-card," used to charge items and draw from the department's budget of about $77,000.

The purchases were made on the department's commercial card, or "p-card," used to charge items and draw from the department's budget of about $77,000."It's outrageous the level of spending that this former chief authorized," Nystrom said. "What were the reasons behind it, I don't know. It's just … stuff you would hand out in a school during fire-prevention week. We just don't have the resources to waste on stuff like that."

"It's outrageous the level of spending that this former chief authorized," Nystrom said. "What were the reasons behind it, I don't know. It's just … stuff you would hand out in a school during fire-prevention week. We just don't have the resources to waste on stuff like that."Nystrom said other departments buy similar items, but spend about $500 a year.

Nystrom said other departments buy similar items, but spend about $500 a year.He said it did not appear any laws were broken because many of the items were accounted for, but he was still waiting for a definite answer from police on whether charges could be filed.

He said it did not appear any laws were broken because many of the items were accounted for, but he was still waiting for a definite answer from police on whether charges could be filed.The department has had its "p-card" use suspended and former Yantic Volunteer Fire Department Chief William Eyburse has been appointed to oversee the administration of the department and perform a review.

The department has had its "p-card" use suspended and former Yantic Volunteer Fire Department Chief William Eyburse has been appointed to oversee the administration of the department and perform a review. "Our goal is to make sure Occum is functioning properly and make sure everything is OK as far as response," Nystrom said.

"Our goal is to make sure Occum is functioning properly and make sure everything is OK as far as response," Nystrom said.Messages left at a number listed for Robert Riley and at the Occum department were not returned.

Messages left at a number listed for Robert Riley and at the Occum department were not returned.