OLD SAYBROOK POLICE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 26, 2007
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting of the Old Saybrook Police Commission was held on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall. PRESENT: Chairman Conklin, Commissioners Burnham, Dobratz, Metsack, Sparaco and Winkler. Also present were Lt. Spera, Lt. McDonald, Det. Sgt. Heiney, Ptl. Barnes and Ptl. Gardner.
Chairman Conklin called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
1. Minutes
Chairman Conklin asked for discussion or approval of the Minutes of the February 26, 2007 regular meeting. There was no discussion. Motion was made by Comsr. Winkler and seconded by Comsr. Dobratz to approve the Minutes of the February 26, 2007 regular meeting as submitted. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Comsr. Sparaco abstained because he was present during the executive session only, by conference call.
Chairman Conklin asked for discussion or approval of the Minutes of the March 5, 2007 special meeting. There was no discussion. Motion was made by Comsr. Burnham and seconded by Comsr. Winkler to approve the Minutes of the March 5, 2007 special meeting as submitted. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Chairman Conklin asked for a moment of silence for John A. Welles, Sr., who passed away on March 5, 2007. Jack, as he was known, was Chief Mosca's brother-in-law.
2. 06-07 Operating Budget
Lt. Spera indicated he is reporting to the commission in the Chief's stead while the Chief is away on his annual vacation. He reported that with 73% of the year expired, 73% of the budget has been expended. He reported catastrophic failures in motor vehicles requiring expensive repairs, including replacement of the transmission in an older car. However, he feels the department will be able to end this fiscal year in the black by continued careful conservation.
3. 07-08 Budget
Chairman Conklin reminded the commission that he, Chief Mosca, Lt. Spera and Comsr. Metsack attended a budget workshop with the Selectmen on February 23rd. The meeting with the Board of Finance is scheduled for March 27th, along with the Board of Education. Chairman Conklin is hopeful that no further reductions will be made.
4. Personnel
Lt. Spera reported the following personnel items:
Ptl. Bergantino has completely recovered from his recent knee surgery, has completed his transitional duty and is back to work on full duty. This is a welcome help with scheduling.
Ptl. Ziolkovski is recovering well from his back surgery, and will be able to begin physical therapy in the next few weeks. How he does with the physical therapy will give some indication of when he may return to work, which is hoped to be around mid-June. When he returns, he will go through a back to work program, as Det. Sgt. Heiney and Ptl. Bergantino did, to make sure he is ready and able.
Lt. Spera reported that Chief Mosca asked him to convey that because the department is down an officer, he would like to advertise for a replacement, and would like to state that certified officers would be preferred. He would like to have the Law Enforcement Council do the testing, and would like to establish a hiring pool for patrol officers, with certified listed first, and non-certified second. He would like to begin as soon as possible because the reduction of one position adversely impacts scheduling and operations, and it can take as long as 14 months to get a newly hired officer on the road. Motion made by Comsr. Sparaco and seconded by Comsr. Dobratz to begin the hiring process for a patrol officer, certified preferred. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Lt. Spera reported the Chief's interest in beginning a process for the position of lieutenant. Chairman Conklin said it would be discussed later in the meeting.
Lt. Spera reported that the Chief received a letter from the police union regarding the sergeant's promotional process. Chairman Conklin said discussion on that matter would take place later in the meeting.
Lt. Spera indicated that Ptl. Barnes was given permission not to file a School Resource Officer report for this meeting due to changes in the SRO program. He commended all personnel during this time of reduced manpower, for their willingness to pitch in, work strange hours and rearrange personal plans to accommodate department scheduling needs.
5. Training
A written training report was distributed to commissioners, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof. In response to a question, Lt. McDonald stated that training is usually suspended during the busy summer season, from mid-June until the end of August, unless specific training the department has been waiting for becomes available.
6. Traffic
In response to a question by Comsr. Winkler, Lt. Spera reported the state has approved closure of two cut-throughs at the north end of Main Street, pending letters of approval from Starbucks and New Alliance Bank. When these letters are received, Light Up Old Saybrook will be contacted to ascertain if they will have the islands constructed to match the rest of Main Street. If the state does the work, black-top will most likely be used. Depending upon the response of these two businesses, final determination will be made whether 1 or 2 cut-throughs will be closed.
Comsr. Burnham asked if a cross-walk would be located in that area to accommodate heavier pedestrian traffic, and Ptl. Gardner indicated it might be too close to the intersection to meet state warrants, but that it might be possible to have one placed at the intersection, where it could be signalized.
Ptl. Gardner reported that Stop & Shop has requested an 11,000 square foot expansion in addition to the one that is currently underway. He said this raised concerns regarding increased traffic at the intersections, and the Police Department was asked by Planning and Zoning for input on that issue. He said the Chief reviewed the design and asked for traffic counts, which were to be provided by the applicant to the Chief and to the town engineer. However, before that information was provided, the Zoning Board approved the application without input from the Chief or the engineer. Chief Mosca was disappointed with their decision to move forward on their own, and require no light at the intersections. The Chief would like to have had the information he was awaiting to determine if state warrants would be met for a
light. These warrants take into consideration road capacities, speed, volume of traffic and volume of accidents, all of which may have indicated a need for traffic lights. Lt. Spera reported that Ptl. Gardner was assisting the Chief in streamlining the traffic review, and he had expected to get his opinion to Planning and Zoning within the week. Chairman Conklin stated it didn't seem right that this decision was made without input from the town's traffic authority. Lt. Spera said the Chief did not agree or disagree, but would like to have looked at the data to make a recommendation based on data and state warrants.
7. Communications
Lt. Spera said the Chief asked him to thank the commissioners who were able to attend the March 20th town meeting, at which the new communications system was presented and discussed, and to remind him to vote on March 29th at the High School. He also wanted his thanks to be given to Ptl. Gardner for the presentation he made and for fielding questions from the public so effectively and informatively.
Ptl. Gardner reported that within a 4-week period of the bonding being approved, the contract can be executed to start the ball rolling, and that he is pleased with the way the town meeting went and how the communications system seemed to be received. He is looking forward to a positive outcome at the referendum on the 29th, which would allow for execution of the contract the following day. The contract has already been approved by Attorney Cronin, and upon completion of the final system design phase, the project will be underway.
Chairman Conklin said the town meeting was well attended by police, fire and ambulance personnel, and he feels the public understands the need for a new system. He also feels the involved town agencies worked well together in this endeavor.
8. Events
Lt. Spera reported that as we are getting closer to the busy summer season, a variety of road races are being scheduled, both large and small, many of which require police services. He reported that the Chase Fireworks is scheduled for June 30th with a rain date of July 1st, and planning for that is underway with Det. Sgt. Heiney. The Saybrook Point Fireworks are scheduled for mid-August and the department is beginning work soon on the New England Association of Chiefs of Police Conference to be held here in September, and again next year.
9. Correspondence
Correspondence received since the February 26th meeting was circulated for commissioners to review.
10. Activity Report
Det. Sgt. Heiney reported the department handled 1,481 incidents and issued 310 citations, resulting in 36 criminal arrests since the February 26th meeting. He reported specifically on the arrest of a 21-year old male charged with operating a drug factory, cultivation of marijuana and related counts. His 20-year-old girlfriend was charged with possession of marijuana. The same day, a 57 year-old man from Newington was arrested and charged with drinking while driving, possession of marijuana and possession with intent to sell. Because of the narcotics charge, the vehicle was seized and the department has applied for its forfeiture under the state's drug asset forfeiture law. Det. Sgt. Heiney also reported on several assault, breach of peace, harassment, larceny and forgery arrests.
Det. Sgt. Heiney reported that the Citizens Police Academy has begun, with the third session meeting on Wednesday, the 28th. There are 15 students in the class. He announced that graduation will be held on May 9th at a location to be determined, and Commissioners will receive invitations when plans are finalized. Comsr. Winkler said she knows people in the class, who say they can't wait for the class each week. Det. Sgt. Heiney said members will do a ride-along, a shoot-don't-shoot exercise, and receive department statistics for the week preceding each class.
11. Comments & Concerns of Commissioners
Comsr. Metsack read the following motion: That we place the Asset Forfeiture Fund and the McMurray Fund on the Agenda of the next Police Commission Meeting April 23, 2007. For the purpose of discussing any expenditures made from those funds. These expenditures would require a voted by a majority of the quorum present. The motion was lost for lack of a second. Chairman Conklin stated that these items could be discussed at a later date. Lt. Spera stated that the McMurray Fund is a private fund and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Police Commission.
12. Executive Session
Motion made by Comsr. Sparaco and seconded by Comsr. Dobratz to move to executive session to discuss union negotiations, and to invite Lt. Spera to attend to respond to questions. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Meeting moved to executive session at 8:10 p.m.
Lt. Spera left executive session at 8:32 p.m.
Meeting returned to regular session at 8:43 p.m.
Motion made by Comsr. Burnham and seconded by Comsr. Sparaco to suspend the promotional process for the position of sergeant. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
There was a short discussion about beginning a promotional process for the position of lieutenant. It was decided this would be placed on the April agenda for further discussion.
Motion to adjourn made by Comsr. Sparaco and seconded by Comsr. Burnham. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
JoAnne Klingerman
Executive Assistant
These minutes are subject to approval by the
Old Saybrook Police commission at its
April 23, 2007 meeting.
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