Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners held on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 in the Lower Conference Room, 3 Main Street, Newtown, CT. Chairman Mattegat called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: C. Mattegat, G. Finnegan, R.. Simon. ABSENT: D. Giannini, R. Connor. ALSO PRESENT: Chief Kehoe, Captain Rios, six members of public, one member of press.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Dan Tannenbaum, 13 Sawmill Road, said that his daughter was hit by a car in front of their house and that their driveway is on a hidden curve. He requested signage indicating “Blind Driveway” and asked if a group of residents could pay the Town for an automated flashing sign that indicates the speed of vehicles. Chief Kehoe will have a sign installed and said that the residents could pay for the device. Chairman Mattegat told Mr. Tannenbaum that the First Selectman is considering improving the bridge on Sawmill Road.
John Birmingham, 42 Main Street, said that on weekends kids who are dropped off for the movie often rove Main Street making noise and some hang out at Trinity. Chief Kehoe said that patrols have been directed to that area for four weeks on Fridays.
MINUTES. Upon motion of Commissioner Simon , the minutes of May 2, 2006 and the addendum were unanimously approved as presented.
CHIEF’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT (May, 2006). Overtime is in good shape with 35% left for the year. Budget balances GL Accounts were unremarkable. A special meeting will be needed for Encumbrances. Fleet two cars should be received in two weeks. Personnel Officers Nosal and Cheshire graduated from the Academy on May 31. Two new hires started at the Academy last Friday. Officer Costello will replace Office Ketchum as the SRO. Training firearms training was completed. Several letters of appreciation were received. ATV problems are being worked on at D’Addario’s. Awards and Decorations ceremony held on May 25 was well attended. Liquor store compliance check found no violations. Expanded DUI Grant of $14,550
was received for the summer. Memorial Day and July 4th Grant was also awarded. Updated CIP indicated that the money for the study was put off another year.
CAPTAIN’S OPERATIONAL REPORT (May, 2006) included Motor Vehicle Activity Report, DUI Report, Monthly Calls for Service and Detective Division Report.~ Liquor store compliance checks showed that eleven stores were in compliance. Click it or Ticket seatbelt campaign was conducted during May and ending June 3. DUI Enforcement Grant is ongoing. Community Survey is underway. The forms are available online and in several places in Town, including the Police Department and the Library. This is part of the Five Year Strategic Plan.
OLD BUSINESS.
Application for Edona Commons Residential Development, Church Hill Road. Traffic consultant Don Tone said that on May 18 a memo was sent to P&Z including updates on Church Hill Road and counts at Riverview. He said that the supplemental traffic report should be received this week by P&Z and the Police Commission. Chairman Mattegat said that Route 25 is not residential as Church Hill Road is and that Church Hill Road does not have big driveways and back yards so that residents and visitors park on Church Hill Road. She noted that she had to wait a very long time to get out of Walnut Tree Hill Road going south on Church Hill last Friday. Mr. Tone said that the object of the traffic count on Route 25 was to monitor traffic in and out of Bryan Lane and compare the trip rate to the proposal for Church Hill
Road. Trip rates were counted on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Commissioner Simon felt that Friday should be included because of the volume of traffic. Mr. Tone said that the mid-week peak is usually counted. Commissioner Finnegan is concerned with the safety of people walking up Church Hill Road because there are no sidewalks. He said that Church Hill Road is darker at the area of the proposed development and traffic picks up speed going down the hill. Mr. Tone confirmed with the Board of Ed Director of Transportation that buses do not go into private developments and all buses must stop on the right side of a state highway. Mr. Tone said that a kiosk or pedestrian friendly device to accommodate the buses is being considered.
Commissioner Finnegan moved that the Board of Police Commissioners deny the Edona Commons application for condos on Church Hill Road as presented today due to the large volume of traffic. Second by Commissioner Simon and unanimously carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation of the Anita A. Goosman Award. Chief Kehoe presented the award to Mr. Leo Ficks honoring his actions above and beyond a civic call to duty in 2004 when he reported witnessing crimes in progress which led to the immediate arrest of a person with an extensive criminal record.
TP Properties (Plaza South) revised special exception application, South Main Street. Chief Kehoe explained that the application which was approved for two buildings was revised to four buildings with the same square footage and same driveway and traffic. A driveway connecting Plaza South and Sand Hill Plaza has been agreed upon by the two plazas. Commissioner Simon moved to approve the revised application as presented. Second by Commissioner Finnegan and unanimously carried.
Application for 47 Church Hill Road (Citgo Station). The present gas station will be changed to move the pumps further back from the road. A MediMart will also be included. Commissioner Simon moved to approve the application for 47 Church Hill Road as presented. Second by Commissioner Finnegan and unanimously carried.
Tom Brook LLC. Chairman Mattegat read a letter from the Economic Development Commission recommending that the proposal for Church Hill Road opposite the Blue Colony Diner be accepted with appropriate modifications by governing agencies. She noted that the applicant will remove the contaminated soil and pay some of the back taxes. Chief Kehoe stated that the State is planning to realign Edmond Road and it is not known how this will affect this project.
Expenditure from Asset Forfeiture account to the K-9 program. Chief Kehoe said that these funds will be used for the changeover costs for the canine vehicle. Commissioner Simon moved to authorize expenditure not to exceed $8,000 from GL 187 for the canine vehicle changeover costs. Second by Commissioner Finnegan and unanimously carried.
Discussion and action on Secondary Employment Request-Officer Frank. Commissioner Simon moved to approve Officer Frank’s request for renewal of his previously approved secondary employment. Second by Commissioner Finnegan and unanimously carried.
Commissioner’s Participation (next agenda). None noted.
Executive Session to discuss pending civil claims. Commissioner Simon moved to enter executive session at 8:40 p.m. to discuss pending civil claims and to invite Chief Kehoe and Captain Rios to attend, second by Commission Finnegan and unanimously carried. At this time the clerk left the meeting.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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