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Minutes from the Board of Police Commissioners regular meeting held Wednesday, November 4, 2009, in the meeting room of Town Hall South, 3 Main Street, Newtown. As there was only one member present, Commissioner Brian Budd opened the unofficial meeting at 7:35 pm.
Present: Brian Budd
Absent: Duane Giannini, Bruce Walczak, Robert Connor and Chairman Carol Mattegat
Also Present: Police Chief Michael Kehoe and Captain Jose Rios
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: none
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2009: The approval of the minutes to the regular meeting October 6, 2009 were moved forward as there were not enough members present for a quorum.
CHIEF’S REPORT:
Budget Reports – Chief Kehoe indicated that there was nothing spectacular, nothing unusual, in regards to Monthly Police Overtime and Line Item Budget Balances. FLEET – the chief stated that the department was still waiting for two fleet cars. He added that he spoke to the representative from Ford who told him the department might want to look somewhere else to find another vendor because their company was having a problem obtaining loan for new cars. The representative suggested MHQ, a vendor in Massachusetts; but the chief indicated the vehicles may not be exactly the same.. Personnel Report – The chief indicated that he had a late Field Training Report from Sgt. Wisentaner from regarding Officer Guernsey, who
was now out on his own as a patrol officer. Training Report – Chief Kehoe indicated that he had a late training report from Lt. Mooney as well as a current report from Sgt. Vanghele. Letters of Gratitude – The chief noted that the department had received five letters of gratitude for the following members of the department: Captain Rios, Lt. Sinko, Officer Schubert and two letters for Officer Figol. Correspondences – Chief Kehoe reported that he had enclosed six correspondences in the meeting packets. The first was from the Town Engineer, Ron Bolmer, regarding the stop sign installation on subdivision roads. The chief said he told Mr. Bolmer that most of the stop signs for subdivision roads have been approved and that he had nothing to worry about. The second correspondence was from the John Carey, Manager of Engineering of the Bureau of Engineering and Construction for the State DOT, regarding DMV Commissioner Joseph Marie’s
announcement of the STC Sign Replacement on Rte I-84. The chief noted that the signs would replace the old ones to ensure that the flow-through traffic gets off at Exit 11 and not travel through the center of town. The third correspondence was from Michelle Cruz of the State of Connecticut Office of the Victim Advocate (OVA) thanking Chief Kehoe for meeting with her in September. She noted that the cooperation between the agencies will help improve the delivery of services to crime victims. The fourth correspondence was from State DOT Traffic Investigation Report to the State Traffic Commission regarding their approval of the STC – No Parking signs for Route 6 (Mt. Pleasant Road) at Pocono Road. The fifth correspondence was a letter from Michael Galante, Executive Vice President of Frederick P. Clark Associates sent to the STC asking that the certificate be modified to remove the emergency access gate and access drive to the Fairfield Hills (FHH)
campus from Wasserman Way (State Route 860). The final correspondence from the Cedarhurst Homeowners Association regarding issues with property disputes. Award Ceremony-Easton Police Department – According to Chief Kehoe, he attended a very nice ceremony at the Easton PD on October 13, 2009. The neighboring police department honored Newtown Police Officers Larissa Nosal and Matthew Wood for a “brave and creditable act in the line of duty” when they “assisted Easton Police Officers in apprehending a suspect during a violent assault upon said police officers” March 29, 2009. Updates – Town Road Speed Limits as presented by the STC – In accordance with what was requested by the commission, Chief Kehoe distributed a report for the project which outlines timeline phases. Curb Cuts Study, Rte.6 email – the chief noted that there was information in the meeting packets concerning the study and
indicated it was still being worked on. 2nd Quarter Crime Stats – Chief Kehoe reported that there was a 32% decrease from 2008 to 2009, but noted that the decrease was largely because of the out of the ordinary surge in larcenies during the 2nd Quarter of the 2008. 2009 Underage Drinking Program – the chief announced that there was information concerning the program in the packets. According to the information release, “on July 7, 2009, the department began the first of six operations aimed at detecting the use, possession and purchase of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 years old. These operations also targeted those persons who would supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 years old.” Community Conversation – Underage Drinking – Chief Kehoe indicated that the town will hold a community conversation regarding underage drinking. The chief said their aim is to have 100
people show up for a four hour session and get all different perspectives – kids, parents, and municipal. He added that hopefully they will have a plan of action that comes from the conversation. Chief Kehoe noted that the community conversation will be held at Reed School Saturday, January 23 2010, at 8pm.
CAPTAIN’S REPORT:
Motor Vehicle Enforcement Reports - Captain Rios reported that motor vehicle enforcement totals were 456 in October 2009 - up 6% over the 429 in October 2008. He added that the totals are up 11% year to date. The captain also noted that DUI totals were up 15% year to date - 60 DUI arrests in 2009 and 52 DUI arrests in 2008. Monthly Traffic Enforcement Unit October 2009 Report narrative by Lt. Sinko – Captain Rios noted that they are continuing to monitor speed enforcement, held a motorcycle check point and even coordinated a bike ride. Incident Analysis Report October 2009- Motor Vehicle Accidents: 80, Vandalism: 30, Larceny: 10, Assault: 2, Sexual Offense: 1, Alarms: 144, and Burglary: 1. Detective Division Report submitted by Det. Sgt Cole – Captain Rios
indicated that there was a warrant served on a Bridgeport man in October. In addition, the captain noted the division has been receiving a lot of training.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Discussion and consideration on Police Suspension of Response to Alarms - Hot Shots Bar and Grill – According to Chief Kehoe, he was pleased to announce that the owner of Hot Shots has been making payments and has paid about half of what he owes. In addition, the chief said that they talked about a few things and said he sent officers to the establishment to work with the owner.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action on Curb-Cut Access Management Plan Rte. 6, Rte. 25 and Church Hill Road – Chief Kehoe stated that the less curb cuts the better off it’s going to be. One recommendation the chief added would be connecting parking lots to cut down on the number of curb cuts.
Discussion and comments from the Board on 10-11 Police Budget – According to Chief Kehoe, he has come up with a partial budget on personnel line items and sent it to Newtown Finance Director Bob Tait for his review. The chief reported that the finance director said it was great. The chief noted that it is a 4.7% increase but that it is a contractual obligation on payroll.
Discussion and approval of Policy and Procedure - 3.12 – TASER (revised) – the policy could not be discussed or approved as there was not a quorum.
Commissioner’s Discussion and Participation: none
EXECUTIVE SESSION: none
ADJOURN THE MEETING: Having no further business, Commissioner Budd closed the meeting at 8:05 pm.
Ted Swigart, Clerk
*These minutes are not finalized until approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
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