Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners held on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 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, Brian Budd, Duane Giannini. ABSENT: Robert Connor, Bruce Walczak. ALSO PRESENT: Chief Michael Kehoe, Captain Joe Rios, Traffic Engineer Michael Galante from Frederick Clarke Associates, Engineer Bill Carboni from Spath-Bjorklund, three members of public, one member of press.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Karen Banks, West Street, requested that “No Passing on Right” signs be placed on Route 25 at the flagpole north and south. Captain Rios said that the Traffic Unit will look into the need for additional signs and more enforcement. Chief Kehoe noted that we do not want to bog down traffic and that we do want traffic to flow through town.
MINUTES. Upon motion of Commissioner Giannini, the minutes of the regular meeting of November 5, 2008 were unanimously accepted as presented.
CHIEF’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT (November, 2008). Overtime is unremarkable, Budget balances were unremarkable. GL Accounts were included. Fleet three new cruisers are now in service. Personnel included the Field Training Report.. The probationary officer at Post will graduate tomorrow and the two at Milford will graduate December 12. Training report was included. Several letters of appreciation were received. STC follow-up for Plaza South the STC approved a light. Speed limit sign on Mt. Pleasant Road will not be 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 and speed limit 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. The Communications Reporting System has been rebid. CAD is on schedule for completion in September 2009. The crosswalk on Queen Street at the Middle School has not been completed. Curb cuts on Route 6 are being reviewed.
CAPTAIN’S OPERATIONAL REPORT (November, 2008) included (also last year’s report for comparison) Motor Vehicle Activity Report, DUI Report and Monthly Calls for Service, Traffic Enforcement Unit Report and Detective Division Report. The Detective Division investigated 70-80 car break ins and arrested one individual from Massachusetts; they are attempting to serve a warrant on a juvenile from Newtown. DUI Grant was approved for $55,000 which is a wash item; there will be 76 roving patrols including five checkpoints; the first checkpoint will be on December 19. Officers are commended for a great job on seat belt enforcement this month which resulted in 95 seat belt violations, several traffic violations and five DUI arrests and several suspensions; this was a 20% increase over
last year.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion, re-consideration and possible action on Chief’s evaluation process and format. Commissioner Giannini distributed two drafts for discussion at the next meeting.
Discussion and possible action on Town-wide Traffic Calming Guidelines regarding Traffic Calming Ordinance. This item will be tabled.
Discussion and possible action on Town-wide Traffic Calming Guidelines regarding Traffic Calming Ordinance. This item will be tabled.
Review of crosswalks town-wide, comments and action by the Board will be tabled.
Review of Traffic management Strategic Plan will be tabled.
Discussion, comments and possible action on curb cuts on Queen Street will be tabled. Chairman Mattegat will contact Borough Zoning Enforcement Officer Jean St. Jean for an update on when another meeting will be held.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion and action on special exception Claris Construction, 352 South Main Street-Marcus Dairy Application. Engineer Bill Carboni explained that the existing Monroe Concrete Plant would be converted to a distribution center for Marcus Dairy. A new refrigerated storage building of 16,200 square feet with no processing would be constructed. The main entrance driveway will be moved to better align it with Swamp Road. After vegetation is removed the sight lines will be 580 feet to the north and 535 feet to the south. There will be no selling or retail.
Mike Galante, Traffic Engineer, explained that traffic counts were taken at Meadow, Swamp and Pepper Street intersections as well as six commercial developments in the area. The site would not generate traffic during the peak hours of 7-9 a.m. or 4-6 p.m. The traffic at Swamp Road has a delay of several minutes which would be increased with the driveway from the site. Mr. Galante said that the State would not consider a traffic signal at that intersection. He will talk to the State about having a longer signal to exit Bots ford Hill Road than at present. Increases at Meadowbrook and Pepper Streets would be minimal. Mr. Carboni suggested a right turn lane from Botsford Hill but noted that this would mean widening Meadowbrook to better align the intersection.
The Commission concluded that there are no additional traffic issues and has no comment on the application.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (continued)
Discussion and possible action on 09-10 Police Department Budget. Chief Kehoe noted that this budget is not expanding and programs or services from this year. He noted that Finance shows anticipated salary increases for the departments in a separate line item. He said that if no cars are purchased this next year, the following year we will need a larger number.
Commissioner Budd moved to approve the 2009-2010 budget request bottom line of $4,016,548.00. Second by Commissioner Giannini and unanimously carried.
NEW BUSINESS (continued)
Discussion and action on special exception for 90 South Main Street-land surveying office. The Commission concluded that there are no traffic issues and has no comment on this application.
Discussion and action on recommendation for speed limit on Pearl Street. The Traffic Unit concluded that this area does not meet the warrants for stop signs as requested by a resident but the Unit does recommend posting speed limit signs. Commissioner Giannini moved that 25 M.P.H. speed limit signs be posted on Pearl Street. Second by Commissioner Budd and unanimously carried. The Commission commends Officers Kullgren and Ketchum of the Traffic Unit.
Discussion and action on election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the Newtown Police Commission for 2009. Commissioner Budd nominated Commissioner Mattegat as Chairman, second by Commissioner Giannini and unanimously carried. Commissioner Budd nominated Commissioner Giannini as Vice-Chairman, second by Commissioner Mattegat and unanimously carried.
COMMISSIONER’S DISCUSSION & PARTICIPATION. Commissioner Budd requested that the item of consideration of a traffic signal at the flagpole on Route 25 be added to the January 6 agenda. The Commission will revisit the Vollmer Queen Street Traffic Study prior to considering adding this to the 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 Giannini and unanimously carried.
At this time the clerk left the meeting.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
ADDENDUM TO
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS HELD ON DECEMBER 2, 2008
At 9:33 P. M., the Board left executive session.
At 9:33 P. M. Commissioner Budd moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Giannini, unanimously passed by the Board.
Submitted by:__________________________________
Chief Michael K. Kehoe
For
Carol Mattegat, Chairperson
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