Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners held on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 in the Lower Conference Room, 3 Main Street, Newtown, CT. Vice- Chairman Connor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Robert Connor, , Brian Budd, Duane Giannini, Bruce Walczak. ABSENT: Carol Mattegat ALSO PRESENT: Chief Michael Kehoe, Captain Joe Rios, three members of public, one member of press.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Carley Posey, Pearl Street, requested another stop sign at Pearl Street and Charlies Circle to make a three way stop in order to slow traffic and because there is a bus stop there. Commissioner Connor said that a traffic study will be done to see if this area meets the warrants. Chief Kehoe noted that per State guidelines, stop signs are not placed to control speed. We will also look at other measures that could be undertaken. He said that sight line issues and a high accident volume are reasons for placing a stop sign.
Tom Floros, 32 Queen Street, is a student who said that the crosswalk at Meadow and Glover is slowing down traffic. Lisa Floros, 32 Queen Street, said that people are stopping and letting others cross the street. She asked when the speed tables will be placed at the Middle School and the rest of Queen Street. Chief Kehoe said that the table in front of the Middle School should be completed in two weeks. After discussion about Queen Street, it was determined that procedures and policies for the new Traffic Calming Ordinance should be in place before moving ahead with Queen Street. Ms. Floros suggested that the Commission study Elizabeth and Lovells for baseline traffic before moving ahead with Queen Street.
MINUTES. The minutes of the regular meeting of September 2, 2008 and the special meeting of September 15, 2008 will be tabled. Upon motion of Commissioner Budd, the minutes of the special meeting of September 22, 2008 were unanimously accepted as presented.
CHIEF’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT (September, 2008). Overtime is unremarkable, Budget balances for 2008-09 were unremarkable. GL Accounts were included. Fleet three cruisers were received on October 1. The traffic unit vehicle is operational. Personnel included the Field Training Report.. Three probationary officers are at the academy, one at Post and two at Milford. Training report was included. Several letters of appreciation were received. STC follow-ups for Highland the STC granted a temporary permit for Phase I. Route 302 “Do Not Block Intersection” sign has been placed. Speed limit sign on Mt. Pleasant Road has not yet been moved by the State. North Ridge Road no passing zone has not yet been marked
by the State. The State has not yet moved the arrows sign at Church Hill and Commerce Roads. “No Right Turn” on Route 25 has not yet been placed by the State. Town Speed Limits are being reviewed by the Traffic Unit. A citizen requested a “Yield” sign at Phyllis Lane and Hundred Acres Road and this will be reviewed. The Communications Reporting System will be rebid. CAD will be fully functioning in September 2009.
CAPTAIN’S OPERATIONAL REPORT (September, 2008) included (also last year’s report for comparison) Motor Vehicle Activity Report, DUI Report and Monthly Calls for Service. Also included were August 2008 Traffic Enforcement Unit Report and Detective Division Report. The Detective Division executed three search warrants concerning break ins of cars and has made several arrests. A warrant was also executed which resulted in seizure of drugs. School Officers’ Activities were included (Middle, High, Reed Schools). The Department will receive an award from the Connecticut Police Chief Association for second place in a department of our size.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion, consideration and action on Board of Police Commissioner’s Exit Interview Policy. (Commissioners Budd & Giannini). This item will be tabled as Commissioner Giannini is not present.
Discussion, re-consideration and possible action on Chief’s evaluation process and format will be tabled.
Update, further discussion and action on Police Department Space Needs Assessment. The approved Capital Improvement Plan includes $300,000 for Police Radio Enhancements and $800,000 for Police Building Design.
Discussion and possible action on Town-wide Traffic Calming Guidelines regarding Traffic Calming Ordinance. Commissioner Walczak will email the report for action at next month’s meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Budd moved to add “Discussion and Action: Newtown Self Storage application to amend special exception” to the agenda. Second by Commissioner Walczak and unanimously carried.
Discussion and action on traffic control devices for Fairfield Hills Hospital Property. Officer Dave Kullgren of the Traffic Enforcement Unit noted that the Town had accepted all the roads at Fairfield Hills. The fifteen stop signs on the campus had not been authorized by the local traffic authority so the Traffic Enforcement Unit evaluated their need. As the Newtown Youth Academy is scheduled to open in November and much pedestrian and vehicular traffic is anticipated, the Traffic Enforcement Unit identified these fifteen stop signs as being needed in their present locations. Commissioner Walczak moved to accept the fifteen stop signs on the Fairfield Hills campus. Second by Commissioner Budd and unanimously carried.
Review of crosswalks town-wide, comments and action by the Board. This will be tabled until all of the Commissioners have reviewed the Traffic Enforcement Unit’s report.
Consideration, discussion and possible action on using GL Account Funds for K-9 expenses. Commissioner Walczak moved to approve the expenditure of $1,500 from GL 183 for the Canine Program.
Discussion and Action: Newtown Self Storage application to amend special exception. The Commission has no comments on the application.
COMMISSIONER’S DISCUSSION & PARTICIPATION. Commissioner Walczak noted that the Traffic Management Strategy called for a one year review which is due in October, 2008.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 5, 2008.
The item “2009 schedule of meeting dates” will be on the November 5 agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION. Commissioner Budd moved to enter executive session at 8:25 p.m. to discuss strategy for collective bargaining and to invite Chief Kehoe and Captain Rios to attend. Second by Commissioner Walczak and unanimously carried.
At this time the clerk left the meeting.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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