OLD SAYBROOK POLICE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
MINUTES
A regular meeting of the Old Saybrook Police Commission was held on Monday, February 23, 2009 at the Old Saybrook Town Hall. PRESENT: Chairman Burnham, Vice Chairman Conklin, Secretary Winkler, Commissioners Dobratz, Gallicchio, and Metsack. Also present were Chief Mosca and Deputy Chief Spera.
I. Call to Order
Chairman Burnham called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. Minutes
Chairman Burnham asked for discussion or approval of the Minutes of the January 26, 2009 regular meeting. Motion made by Comsr. Conklin and seconded by Comsr. Dobratz to approve the Minutes of the January 26, 2009 meeting, as submitted. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
III. Comments from the Public
No members of the public were present.
IV. Executive Division Reports
A. Financial
1. 08-09 Operating Budget
Chief Mosca asked if there were any questions regarding the Expenses and Supplies report provided in commissioners’ packets. Comsr. Gallicchio asked if it is possible to move funds between line items and Chief Mosca responded that it would cloud tracking of expenditures from each line item, and reminded the commission that the bottom line is in good standing. He also expressed his hopes that the federal stimulus package will provide additional officers.
2. Asset Forfeiture
Chief Mosca reported the Asset Forfeiture balance to be $15,546.
3. Capital Sinking Fund
Chief Mosca reported the Capital Sinking fund balance to be $62,370.
4. 09-10 Budget Process
Chief Mosca thanked Commissioners Burnham, Metsack and Winkler for attending the recent budget workshop with the selectmen. He noted the press was also present. He reported that after review and discussion of the proposed budget, the selectmen removed $12,000 from the Contract Settlement item in light of a reported settlement with the AFSCME union, and added $36,000 to the Capital Budget for a new SUV to replace a high mileage older SUV. He noted the budget will be forwarded to the Board of Finance for their review and action. Chief Mosca also noted that the selectmen plan to remove the Blue Cross/Blue Shield line items from all town departments’ budgets and administer the health insurance account at their office. This will decrease the department’s budget by about 16%. Chief
Mosca stated this practice is in keeping with that of other communities.
The commission discussed the value of SUV’s to the department. There was also discussion about hybrid vehicles and Chief Mosca reported that these are small models, and that he is not comfortable having the department experiment with vehicles of this size.
Chairman Burnham stated that the next step in the budget process would be with the Board of Finance, and indicated it would be good for commissioners to attend Board of Finance meetings to respond to any budget questions that may come up.
Chief Mosca stated that budgets are being very closely scrutinized this year, and that if cuts are necessary, the selectmen have indicated they will make them across the board, which is ominous for the Police Department, because programs and services would have to be cut. There was discussion of the impact further cuts would have on the department.
B. Personnel
Chief Mosca reported that the FLSA settlement approved by the commission at its last meeting has been implemented and the issue is closed.
C. Comments, Ideas and/or Concerns of the Chief
1. Chief’s Activities
Chief Mosca stated that in addition to the written report he submitted, he wanted to report that he anticipates between Three and Four Billion Dollars of the federal economic stimulus plan will be designated for law enforcement purposes, Eight Hundred Million of which may be earmarked for hiring new officers. He reported the initial plan is for new officers to be funded for three years. He is going to Washington next week for IACP’s annual Day on the Hill event, during which time he expects to meet with administration and congressional leaders to implore them to have these grants run for six years. He stated it is not practical for communities to hire officers and only receive three years of federal funding. This is because after the completion of a selection process, academy and field training, new officers would be on the road for only 18 months out of the 3-year federal reimbursement period. If these conversations are fruitful, the Chief hopes that the federal reimbursement
terms of the grant increase to four, five or six years, perhaps with a municipal match in the later years of the funding. If successful, he hopes to have staff prepare a grant application and submit it to the police commission and the First Selectman for approval and endorsement. He explained that other stimulus money for law enforcement is earmarked for equipment and training.
V. Field Services – Reports
A. Professional Development Activities
Chief Mosca remarked that this report is quite extensive. He stated the department makes an effort to have someone in training at all times, taking into consideration officer requests and state mandates. He also reported that two staff members took a two-day computer course, and came back very enthused by their new skills.
B. Uniform Committee Report / Presentation
Chief Mosca discussed the process and work undertaken by the Uniform Committee, comprised of department personnel, in putting together the proposal being presented to commissioners. He asked Deputy Chief Spera, a member of the committee, to make the presentation, which consisted of a Power Point program, a detailed accounting of the proposed new uniforms, and officers modeling the proposals for Class B and Class C uniforms. Deputy Chief Spera discussed the composition of the committee, the requirements set forth by the Chief, and the lengthy process of selection that was completed, which included input from all officers. He described the changes in the types of uniforms, explaining Class A, Class B and Class C, development of a new uniform policy, cost, funding, vendors, and a timeline. After the
presentation, motion was made by Comsr. Conklin and seconded by Comsr. Gallicchio to accept the Chief’s recommendation to endorse the Uniform Committee's recommendations concerning the Class B and C uniforms and authorize the Chief of Police to begin implementation once funding has been secured.
After discussion regarding funding, and assurances that the cost of changing over will come from a private donor, the police union and contractual concessions rather than impacting the current operating budget, motion carried by unanimous vote.
Deputy Chief Spera stated that Class A uniforms and a new awards and decorations program will be presented at a later time.
C. Activity Report
Chief Mosca reported that as reflected in the Activity Report, the department has been very busy. He reported that an arrest is expected soon in connection with the Webster Bank robbery. He praised the quality of the work of many officers in this case and said the commission should be very confident and pleased with the effort put in by all involved. The Chief stated that the work product he reviews daily from all officers is superior.
VI. Support Services – Reports
A. Traffic
1. Indian Town Traffic Assessment
Chief Mosca reported he will be doing an early spring inspection with elected officials of Indian Town, and will bring any recommended changes before the commission at that time.
2. Study Request – Light Changers & Crosswalks
Route 1/Schoolhouse Road & Route 1/Old Post Road
Chief Mosca brought commissioners’ attention to recent correspondence regarding this issue, which has been forwarded to the State Traffic Commission.
B. Emergency Communication
1. New System Status
Deputy Chief Spera reported that Motorola has agreed to appoint a new project manager to oversee the remainder of the project. The communications shelter located at the rear of the Police Department is being raised and a drainage solution will be installed to mitigate the water issue. The site work should be completed by next week.
VII. Police Commission Business
A. Police Commission By-Laws
Vice Chairman Conklin distributed copies of the By-Laws, with changes discussed at the December meeting. He reviewed the changes and asked if the commission approved. After short discussion, it was agreed that the By-Laws were approved by motion at the December meeting, incorporating these changes, and a new vote need not be taken.
Chairman Burnham thanked the By-Laws Committee for their hard work, and asked that staff provide a copy to the Town Clerk’s office.
VIII. Comments from the Public
No members of the public were present.
IX. Comments and Concerns of Commissioners
Raised Concern – Building Committee
Comsr. Gallicchio asked if a building committee would be formed as previously discussed. He stated that the First Selectman has mentioned the possibility of a new police facility at a Board of Finance Meeting. There was discussion of activities that have been done in the past, including inspection of other new police facilities in the state and meetings with personnel to begin determining the department’s needs, but the process has been stalled for over two years. Chairman Burnham stated she is encouraged by the public recognition of the need for a new facility, and plans to appoint a committee at a future date.
Comment – Golf Carts
Vice Chairman Conklin stated he understands the legislature has been discussing golf cart use, and may release restrictions before the summer.
Raised Concern – Bicycle Operators
Comsr. Dobratz stated he has seen a certain group of cyclists on Route 1 on Saturday mornings riding three abreast, making rude gestures to motorists and refusing to move out of the way. He said he has seen as many as 30 or 40 in this group during the spring and summer, blocking the roadway and refusing to move for motorists. He said they are dressed in yellow and black, and seem to be a club. Chief Mosca said he will make patrols aware of the problem, and attempt to educate the cyclists regarding the laws they are disregarding.
Raised Concern – Joggers
Comsr. Winkler reported she often sees joggers running with traffic rather than facing it on Schoolhouse Road.
Raised Concern – Stop Lights
Chairman Burnham stated that many people drive through the red light to turn onto Maple Avenue from Main Street. She said this has caused problems for her at times. Comsr. Winkler stated that the light on Route 1 at Schoolhouse Road is also subject to people running through when it first turns red. Chief Mosca responded that officers sit at many of the lights in town and issue many tickets, but it is an ongoing problem.
Raised Concern – Crossing Outside of Crosswalks
Comsr. Metsack asked if the department can encourage people to use the crosswalks on Main Street. He sees many jaywalkers, including a gentleman with a cane who tripped on the median divider and fell into the travel lane, causing a danger to himself and disruption of traffic on both sides of the road. He said it seems that people do not want to walk an additional distance to a crosswalk. Chief Mosca responded that jaywalking is a problem state-wide.
X. Adjournment
Motion made by Comsr. Conklin and seconded by Comsr. Winkler to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
JoAnne Klingerman
Executive Assistant
These minutes are subject to approval of the
Old Saybrook Police Commission at its
next regular meeting.
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