Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners held on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 in the Lower Conference Room, 3 Main Street, Newtown, CT. Chairman Mattegat called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Carol Mattegat, Gerald Finnegan, Brian, Budd, Robert Connor, Duane Giannini. ALSO PRESENT: Chief Michael Kehoe, Captain Joe Rios,
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Robert Geckle, 35 Queen Street, presented a letter concerning the Commission’s response to the Queen Street Traffic Study concerning the flagpole and the Glover Avenue/Queen Street intersection (Att A). He feels that if the Commission feels there are safety issues involved in the Queen/Glover intersection and the flagpole area, the Commission should further review section C14, Queen Street/Glover Avenue intersection which the Commission is opposed to the reconfiguration as presented and should further review their decision that “the flagpole intersection remain untouched and intact.” Chairman Mattegat said that one consideration with the Queen/Glover intersection was that headlights would shine into one of the houses, but Mr. Geckle said he believes that headlights
shine on the house now. Commissioner Connor said the Commission would like Queen Street straightened out past the Middle School and a stop sign placed.
Bruce Walczak, 8 Glover Avenue, said that the official response left open the Queen Street and Glover Avenue intersection. He feels that the Commission should develop a plan as the town’s traffic authority and take a much more proactive role in these issues. He feels that a majority of people would like something done with the flagpole. He asked what is the process for establishing the agenda for each month’s meeting. Chairman Mattegat said that Chief Kehoe prepares the agenda and it is a joint effort with the Commission, the Chief and the Captain.
Mr. Geckle noted that he had missed the statement that the Commission asked for further action at the Queen Street/Glover Avenue intersection.
MINUTES. Upon motion of Commissioner Finnegan, the minutes of the regular meeting of August 7, 2007 and the addendum were unanimously approved as presented.
Commissioner Giannini reviewed the minutes of the June 5 and July 5 meetings. He noted that the plan referred to at the July 5 meeting was the Vollmer study. Commissioner Giannini moved that all motions made and passed at the July 5 meeting that referred to the plan have “the plan” stricken and replaced with “Queen Street Area Traffic Improvement Plan prepared by Vollmer Associates, 2321 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT.” Second by Commissioner Connor and unanimously carried. Commissioner Giannini said that any motions that did not refer to “the plan” should have “Queen Street Area Traffic Improvement Plan prepared by Vollmer Associates, 2321 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT.” inserted.
Commissioner Giannini moved that the motion made at 6:25 p.m. on July 5 add after “D1” “Queen Street Area Traffic Improvement Plan prepared by Vollmer Associates, 2321 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT.” Second by Commissioner Connor. Commissioner Finnegan moved to close discussion, second by Commissioner Connor and unanimously carried. Main motion unanimously carried.
Commissioner Giannini moved to add “Queen Street Area Traffic Improvement Plan prepared by Vollmer Associates, 2321 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT.” to all motions that did not contain a reference to the plan. Second by Commissioner Connor. Commissioner Finnegan moved to close discussion, second by Commissioner Connor and unanimously carried. Main motion unanimously carried.
The Commission already recommended the crosswalk at the intersection of Glover Avenue and Meadow Street at the July 5 meeting. Commissioner Giannini moved to strike “the plan” and to add “Queen Street Area Traffic Improvement Plan prepared by Vollmer Associates, 2321 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT.” to the motion made at 6:28 p.m. of the July 5 meeting concerning E-1. Second by Commissioner Connor. Commissioner Finnegan moved to close discussion, second by Commissioner Connor and unanimously carried. Main motion unanimously carried.
Commissioner Giannini noted that the Board of Police Commissioners had voted not to accept item C14 concerning the intersection at Queen and Glover. Commissioner Giannini moved that the Board of Police Commissioners accept items C14 and C15 of the Queen Street Area Traffic Improvement Plan prepared by Vollmer Associates, 2321 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT. provided the recommendations are implemented in accordance with existing Borough land use regulations. Second by Commissioner Connor. Commissioner Finnegan moved to close discussion, second by Commissioner Connor and unanimously carried. Main motion unanimously carried. Commissioner Giannini moved to reject item C14 as noted in the Queen Street Area Traffic Improvement Plan prepared by Vollmer Associates, 2321 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT. which recommends
reconstructing the intersection of Queen and Glover as a modified “T”. Second by Commissioner Connor. Commissioner Finnegan moved to close discussion, second by Commissioner Connor and unanimously carried. Main motion unanimously carried.
The Commission commends Commissioner Giannini for the tremendous amount of work he put into reviewing and amending the minutes.
CHIEF’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT (August, 2007). Overtime, Budget balances and GL Accounts were unremarkable. Fleet we are waiting for equipment for the Command Vehicle. The motorcycle is operational. Personnel it is planned to hire two probationary officers for the October class. Training report is included. Four Letters of appreciation were received. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders asked if more can be done concerning motorcycle noise enforcement. Chief Kehoe said that officers have been at Walnut Tree Hill Road on weekends and the Department will do as much as it can. Sandy Hook Streetscape Project. Chief Kehoe met with a DOT official who said the DOT will prepare signs for “No Parking” at 100 Church Hill Road. Parking on the bridge is in violation of the law
as it is within 25 feet of the stop light, so the DOT recommends that the Department put up its own signs there. The Commission requested that Chief Kehoe take whatever action is necessary concerning the bridge. Chief Kehoe has not received a response from the STC about placing “No Parking” signs in front of Newtown Savings Bank so he will contact them again.
CAPTAIN’S OPERATIONAL REPORT (August, 2007) included Motor Vehicle Activity Report, DUI Report, Monthly Calls for Service and Detective Division Report..
A checkpoint on August 25 on South Main Street resulted in 800 cars passing through with 1 DUI arrest, 1 drug possession and several infractions, mostly no front marker plates. We had a successful school opening. Due to staff shortages, the Chief and the Captain have been in the field. As Officer Schubert is out on medical leave, Officer Costello will be at the High School and Middle School and Office Pisani will teach DARE to 5th and 6th grades for the present.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS. None noted.
NEW BUSINESS
Grace Christian Fellowship special exception to construct a church. Commissioner Finnegan moved to approve the plans as presented pending the Fire Marshal’s approval of the entrance and exit for emergency vehicles. Second by Commissioner Giannini and unanimously carried.
Eton Plaza Renovations. Chief Kehoe explained that the plan is to move the bank to Church Hill Road between the Smoke Shop and the Japanese restaurant with no exit on Church Hill Road for the bank. Also curb cuts on Queen Street would be eliminated. Michael Galante, traffic engineer of Frederick P. Clark Associates, offered to make a presentation to the Commission. The matter will be tabled.
Leave of absence request from Officer Douglas Poole. Commissioner Finnegan moved to approve request for leave of absence of one year for Officer Douglas Poole. Second by Commissioner Connor and unanimously carried.
Secondary employment request from Sgt. John Cole. Commissioner Connor moved to approve secondary employment request from Sgt. John Cole. Second by Commissioner Finnegan and unanimously carried.
Policy and procedure: Use of Vehicle Seat Safety Belts and Child Restraint Systems (revised 7-8). Commissioner Connor moved to adopt Policy and procedure: Use of Vehicle Seat Safety Belts and Child Restraint Systems (revised 7-8). Second by Commissioner Finnegan and unanimously carried.
Commissioner’s Participation. Discussion and possible action concerning a stop sign at Queen Street and Glover Avenue will be on next month’s agenda.
Executive Session. Commissioner Connor moved to enter executive session at 8:50 p.m. to discuss update on 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
3 MAIN STREET
NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT 06470
TEL. (203) 270-4360
FAX (203) 270-4247
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
ADDENDUM TO
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS HELD ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2007
At 9:22 P. M., the Board left executive session.
At 9:23 P. M. Commissioner Connor moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Finnegan, unanimously passed by the Board.
Submitted by:__________________________________
Chief Michael K. Kehoe
For
Carol Mattegat, Chairperson
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