OLD SAYBROOK POLICE COMMISSION
JUNE 27, 2005
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting of the Old Saybrook Police Commission was held on Monday, June 27, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall. PRESENT: Chairman Conklin, Commissioners Burnham, Dobratz, Gallicchio, Seaforth, Sparaco and Winkler. Also, Chief Mosca, Lt. Barrows, Lt. McDonald, Lt. Stuart, Ptl. Barnes and Ptl. Gardner.
Chairman Conklin called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.
1. Minutes
Chairman Conklin asked for discussion, amendment or approval of the minutes of the May 23, 2005 meeting, which had been mailed to commissioners. Motion made by Comsr. Winkler and seconded by Comsr. Gallicchio to accept the minutes of the May 23, 2005 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by unanimous vote with Comsrs. Burnham and Conklin abstaining because they were not present at that meeting.
Chairman Conklin announced the death of the town’s first Chief of Police, Clayton L. Prevost, and asked for a moment of silence in his memory, which the commission observed.
2. Comments from the Public
Chief Mosca asked Ptl. Gardner to introduce a presentation to be made by a young man from Middle School who was present with his family and friends. Ptl. Gardner stated he had been invited to attend a meeting with First Selectman Pace and Matthew Lyons, who had written to Mr. Pace to request a cross walk on Main Street in the area of Town Hall and River Mart. At that meeting, Ptl. Gardner suggested that Matthew attend the next commission meeting to request the cross walk. Matthew spoke, explaining he has to walk up to Sheffield Street to use the cross walk there after school, and would like to have one installed in the Town Hall/River Mart area. He presented a map he had made of the area, indicating where this proposed cross walk should be. Ptl. Gardner stated the department has noticed an
increase in pedestrian traffic crossing the road in that area since Town Hall was moved to its new location. He also indicated there are plans for the Police Department’s side lot to become municipal parking when the old Town Hall becomes a theatre. He explained that this is a State road and the recommendation must be made by the Police Commission, with final approval up to the State Department of Transportation. Comsr. Burnham asked how long a process this undertaking might be, and the Chief explained that the department has been working with the State DOT, and although he feels it is doubtful they would put an additional crosswalk in at such close proximity to those near the Fire House and Sheffield Street, he feels the State might consider moving the much less used crosswalk by the Fire House. Comsr. Gallicchio suggested that temporary cross walks placed in that area to accommodate the art show and other events may have set a precedent, but the
Chief felt they might not because they are temporary and are manned by officers to ensure safety. The Chief said a department member would meet with State DOT engineers and explain the need and the public interest in having a cross walk in this area, and would report back to the commission. Matthew then introduced his brothers and friends, and Chairman Conklin thanked him for coming and making his request, and stated the commission would be in touch with him.
No other public comments were made.
3. 04-05 Operating Budget
Chief Mosca stated he had asked his Executive Assistant to do a significant amount of work to project closing figures in order to determine if the department will meet the goal promised to the Board of Finance, of reserving $35,000 to $40,000 to be put toward legal fees. He stated that draconian measures and a financial stranglehold have ended as of the payroll that was sent to the Town Hall today. With regard to Payroll, he reported that he had indicated to Chairman Conklin that if he reduced officers on some shifts and completely restructured the schedule, he felt he could save about $10,000. This measure was put in place, and the goal was close to being met when the May 3rd officer shootings occurred. The loss of 3 officers from the schedule, with 2 still out, put a severe burden on
the department to cover shifts, at overtime rate. This wiped out the approximately $9,000 surplus that had been built up, and put the payroll slightly in the red. However, the workers compensation insurance company paid about $12,500 to replace the salaries being paid to the officers who are on administrative leave and are being paid full salary. This $12,500 would have assisted the department in meeting the goal set with the Board of Finance for legal fees. However, the Chief explained the town has elected to earmark those funds directly for legal fees. The Chief indicated that although this money was diverted, he is taking it into consideration and feels the department has met the goal of reserving $10,000 in payroll.
With regard to Expenses and Supplies, taking outstanding bills into consideration, an amount of $15,000 to $16,000 should remain, which, combined with the $12,500, puts reserved spending just under $30,000. He reported that an amount of about $10,000 has been unexpended in Contractuals, so his report is that the department reserved an aggregate total of about $40,000 for legal fees, which is exactly what the Board of Finance was told. He indicated that while it is the town’s legal right to put the money from the worker’s compensation company into the General Fund and allocate it for legal fees, rather than a payroll exchange account for the department, he is including it in his calculations. Comsr. Sparaco stated he would have preferred to have the worker’s compensation funds used to
replenish payroll, as intended, so they would be appropriately reflected in the department’s closing figures.
Chairman Conklin said the figure given to the Board of Finance was calculated providing nothing unforeseen happened from that time until the end of the fiscal year. Considering the many major incidents that took place since that time, he feels it would have been no surprise to the Board of Finance if the department had not meet the goal. Chief Mosca indicated that one reason the goal was met is that officers and staff worked very hard and pitched in to make it work. He said the department also went without needed items, deferred repairs and maintenance, extended oil changes and deferred purchases.
Chairman Conklin stated he plans to meet with the Board of Finance on a regular basis as the new fiscal year unfolds, and Chief Mosca indicated he will meet with staff monthly to review spending.
Additional comments were made that the department handled more unusual events this year than any other year, and that legal expenses next fiscal year will hopefully be less than this fiscal year.
Comsr. Winkler thanked all officers for the way they have helped the department through this fiscal difficulty, and said it shows the caliber of the men. The Chief added that since the reorganization, he sees an improved work product and an increase in productivity well over last year. Chairman Conklin agreed, saying “Hats off to everyone in the department, from the top on down.”
4. Personnel
The Chief reported the following Personnel items:
Ptl. Bergantino went back to the hospital for surgery, during which part of a bullet that may have been the cause of an infection was removed from his foot, and he seems to be responding well to that treatment.
Det. Sgt. Heiney is progressing well, and after some upcoming tests, may be cleared to return to duty.
Ptl. Mercer has completed the return to work process successfully and is back, full time. The process followed worked very well and will be followed when Ptl. Bergantino and Det. Sgt. Heiney return.
Comsr. Winkler asked who is manning the police patrol boat, and the Chief described the current schedule, operators and arrest process, if arrests are necessary. He also described how marine patrol for the July 3rd fireworks will be handled.
Officer Barnes was hit by a motor vehicle while directing school traffic at Main and Sheffield Streets. He was taken to the Clinic, and is, thankfully, alright. The Chief stated this could have been far more serious considering how it happened.
Ptl. Demarco’s grandmother passed, and the Chief reported that because he knew how strapped the department was, he worked his scheduled shift before taking two days for the funeral.
DARE graduations and an ice cream social involving parents, police officers, faculty members and students were described, and the Chief asked Ptl. Barnes to make a report. Ptl. Barnes stated that Ptl. Roche came into the Middle School program in the middle of the year, and has done a fabulous job. Even after being put back on the road to do shift work, he completed the DARE program, earning major praise from the school faculty. Ptl. Barnes described the DARE programs at both St. John’s School and the Middle School, having 24 participants at St. John’s and 144 at Middle School. He talked about the bike rodeo, the ice cream social, and the Explorer program, which has been put on hold until he can be back in the school to work on participation. He plans to speak with students over
the summer and beginning of the school year, and begin the program in October. There was some discussion about the process of obtaining applicants and selecting participants.
St. John’s School has requested School Resource Officer services, which the Chief feels would be very good for the school. He has spoken with Ptl. Walsh about taking this special assignment, and Ptl. Walsh indicated his willingness to do so. If scheduling can be worked out, the program will be put in place.
The Deputy Chief was involved in a three-car accident on I-95 in Old Lyme, in which his car was struck in the rear and forced into the guardrails. The Deputy sustained minor injuries, and all three cars were towed from the scene. The Chief expressed his hopes that the insurance company will not total the Deputy’s car, in spite of the damages, due to plans to trade it in this year.
5. Traffic
Lt. Stuart reported the following traffic matters:
He has requested the Zoning Board to include in the Starbucks application, closing two cut-throughs on Main Street at the proposed site of Starbucks, which is across from Marlborough Barn and New Alliance Bank, and to make the bank exit right turn only, and the Starbucks exit right turn only. This would alleviate back-ups that would occur due to vehicles waiting at the cut-throughs to turn into Starbucks.
He has reviewed speed limits on Old Boston Post Road and found them to be inconsistent. He made a recommendation to the commission to approve a consistent speed limit of 25 miles per hour on that road, and said he is looking for a company to supply a replacement for the old inoperable flashing speed limit sign. Motion to change speed limit on Old Boston Post Road from Great Hammock Road to Quarry Street to 25 miles per hour made by Comsr. Sparaco and seconded by Comsr. Winkler. Motion carried by unanimous vote in favor.
He investigated concerns expressed by a citizen about parking on Vista Terrace. He found cars parked by patrons of an area restaurant in such a way as to make it difficult for cars and emergency vehicles to get through. Following Lt. Stuart’s recommendation motion was made by Comsr. Seaforth and seconded by Comsr. Burnham to make the west side of Vista Terrace a no parking zone, and to have signs posted. Motion carried by unanimous vote in favor.
“No Parking” signs have been posted on Custom Drive, as a result of the commission’s action at the May meeting.
Lt. Stuart also informed the commission that, as a result of complaints being brought to his attention at the May meeting in connection with the COPR program, that program is now working properly and Ptl. Gardner has developed a way for the program to indicate if it is not working properly.
6. Training
The Chief indicated that Lt. McDonald had submitted a written training report, which is attached to and a part of these minutes. The Chief also reported that during the past week, a training day was held during which Lt. Spera and Lt. McDonald covered a new procedure to follow when investigating drug use and paraphernalia and new OSHA mandates. The department’s canine, Beny, is now drug certified, and his new services available to the department were introduced.
The Chief reported that Lt. McDonald was charged with developing an employee evaluation system, which he has worked on over the past 4 months. The Chief described the program Lt. McDonald has developed, which should improve performance and identify training needs. His goal is to have the system in place by July 1st, and to conduct evaluations every 6 months. Personnel have been advised that this system has been put in place to improve the department, and not to serve as a punitive tool.
Federal Homeland Security has developed a National Incident Management System to address communication needs during major events. A directive has come out that all public safety agencies must be NIMS trained and certified within the upcoming year or forfeit Federal funding. Because Lt. Spera is on the Governor’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Coordinating Council, and has given NIMS training at the police academy for police executives, he was able to develop a training program and has done the required training in modules distributed during roll call. The Chief reported this department is probably the only one in the State with every officer certified, and he expects training of dispatchers to be done in July.
Comsr. Gallicchio asked if negotiations are underway for the new police contract. The Chief responded that the current contract expires on July 1, 2005, but will remain in effect until it is replaced, as does the IBPO as official bargaining unit. The Chief explained the union’s effort to leave the IBPO, and similar activity that has taken place throughout the state, along with legal activity that has ensued. He stated that although awaiting the court’s decision, he feels that personnel and the town would like to establish a contract, and he feels some activity may develop in that direction. He stated that the IBPO still represents the union in two appeals to the State, being the Hull discipline grievance, during which process the contractual requirement to be heard by the
commission was skipped, and one involving a seniority issue in connection with the lay offs. He added that the administration and personnel are presently working well together in discussing and resolving issues as they arise.
7. Events
The Chief reported the following information in connection with events:
The Summer Stroll went well with appropriate police coverage, despite the fact that this is a new event and coverage was not in the budget.
The Chase fireworks are scheduled for July 3, 2005. The Chief discussed plans for coverage and handling of traffic and emergencies.
The department is currently planning the personnel schedule for the Art Show, which is scheduled for July 30th and 31st, and for the Concert, which is scheduled for August 21st.
An annual motorcycle ride, with 1500 to 1600 participants, is scheduled for August. This originates in Middletown, and travels through town in two groups, giving a gap between the groups for local traffic to clear from side streets.
Plans are also underway to address police needs for the Labor Day weekend road race.
8. Correspondence
Correspondence received since the May 23rd meeting was circulated for review of the commissioners.
9. Activity Report
Chief Mosca indicated that Ptl. Gardner would give the activity report in Det. Sgt. Heiney’s absence. He also indicated that Ptl. Gardner will be assigned supervision of records and communication personnel under direction of Lt. Spera in connection with Deputy Chief O’Brien’s retirement.
Ptl. Gardner reported 1,865 incidents and 460 citations since the May 23rd meeting, which included 5 narcotics arrests, one of which involved additional outstanding warrants from the State Police and 3 surrounding towns for narcotics and weapons charges. Another was an undercover drug sting operation developed and conducted by several members of the department, which involved two high risk felony motor vehicle stops, narcotics charges and interfering with an officer. This operation yielded 55 bags of heroin, over 1 gram of cocaine and a small quantity of marijuana and crack cocaine. A motor vehicle and cash were also seized.
He reported two motor vehicle incidents that resulted in interfering with an officer, breach of peace and threatening, one of which involved brandishing a firearm. He described a motor vehicle accident involving a school bus with 34 middle school aged children, a motor vehicle with two occupants, and a police officer assigned to traffic detail, who was struck by the automobile and suffered minor injuries.
There were also three cases of criminal trespass, one of which involved possession of marijuana and one of which became a breach of peace charge.
10. Comments and Concerns of Commissioners
Comsr. Gallicchio presented a memo he prepared for First Selectman Pace regarding the communications system upgrade progress, and specifically the coverage test that took place on May 22, 2005. He also indicated he expects the SBC property closing should move forward soon because environmental test results have been favorable.
Comsr. Gallicchio stated he attended the Middle School DARE graduation, and was impressed by the number of people in attendance, including parents, officers and teachers. He said it appeared the officers were very involved and did a tremendous job.
Comsr. Gallicchio asked if the department had received a letter from Fenwick regarding plans to hire an officer for traffic concerns. The Chief indicated no letter has been received, but they may or may not intend to hire a private officer. Comsr. Dobratz stated he was stopped when trying to enter Fenwick last year, and told to come back at another time. The Chief stated Fenwick cannot prohibit access to the public, and if any problems arise, the department should be notified.
Comsr. Dobratz asked if the Deputy Chief had given a planned retirement date, and the Chief stated he had not received a letter, but understood the date was imminent. Comsr. Gallicchio said a party could not be planned without a retirement date, and the Chief indicated Deputy Chief O’Brien has expressed feelings that he does not want a party.
Motion made by Comsr. Winkler and seconded by Comsr. Gallicchio to adjourn. Motion passed by unanimous vote in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
JoAnne Klingerman
Executive Assistant
These minutes are subject to approval by the
Old Saybrook Police Commission at its
July 25, 2005 meeting.
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