TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS SEPTEMBER 6, 2005
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Havens called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Edward Havens
Deputy Mayor John Pelkey
Councillor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Deborah Fine
Councillor Elizabeth Pendleton
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Matthew Streeter
Councillor Roseann Williams
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Town Manager Matthew Galligan
Town Attorney Barry Guliano
3. Public Participation - None
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager’s Report - None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Bridge Reconstruction – (Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer, and Joe Perna, Project Engineer, to report)
Councillor Delnicki asked for a Point of Order. He said that there are four bridges that are going to be discussed and one of them is within 15 feet of his property line. He asked Attorney Guliano if he should abstain because of a possible conflict of interest as a rebutter. Attorney Guliano responded that because there is no vote being taken tonight, and even though the four bridges are being discussed as a group, to just not discuss the one that he abuts. For the Record, Councillor Delnicki, stated that he will not be speaking about the bridge on Felt Road.
Mr. Doolittle stated that with him to report are Mr. Michael Gantick, Director of Public Works, and Mr. Joe Perna, Project Engineer. They are reporting on the results of a bridge inspection study that was conducted last winter and spring. In
6. A. (Continued)
January of this year the Town retained the services of WMC Consulting Engineers to conduct an inspection of four bridges throughout the Town. He said that “their task was to visually inspect and assess the condition of each bridge and make recommendations for repairs or replacement and to prepare cost estimates for these repairs or replacement.” The structures that were inspected were the Main Street Bridge over the Podunk River, Pleasant Valley Road Bridge over the Podunk River, Main Street Bridge over Stoughton’s Brook, and Felt Road Bridge over Farm Brook. He also said that “WMC Consulting Engineers performed the required field inspections for each bridge and prepared reports which presented their findings as well as conclusions and recommendations.”
Mr. Perna went over the bridge inspection results and recommendations, which are attached as Exhibit A.
Mr. Doolittle discussed the funding and funding sources available, which are described in attached Exhibit B.
Mayor Havens asked Mr. Doolittle which bridge had funding up to 33 percent. Mr. Doolittle responded that right now the 31 percent applies to the Felt Road Bridge over Farm Brook and the Main Street Bridge over Stoughton Brook. He also said that they definitely have commitment for one bridge but they believe they can get it for two. The bridge that is highlighted for the first funding is the Felt Road Bridge over Farm Brook.
Councillor Prague asked if there was a weight limit on the Felt Road Bridge over Farm Brook. Mr. Doolittle stated that “there is no weight limit on that bridge. Because of the construction of the bridge they were not able to accurately determine a weight limit. They feel it is safe right now, but we should work on replacing that bridge.”
Councillor Fine asked if the numbers on the map relate to the order in which the items would be done. Mr. Doolittle said that the numbers are a carry over from the study, that the order that the items would be done are on the table.
Councillor Streeter asked if there were other bridges in Town being looked at. Mr. Doolittle said that all of the bridges in Town were looked at, but these four bridges are the only ones that are being studied. Some of the other bridges are inspected by the State every two years and are in better condition than any of these four bridges. “There are some other culverts in Town that cross roads that are not considered bridges and would not be eligible for this type of a program nor would they be as costly to repair or replace.”
6. A. (Continued)
Councillor Streeter also asked how often the Town can go back for the State funds. Mr. Doolittle said that as long as the bridges meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply every year for a different bridge.
Councillor Streeter then asked if even though the Pleasant Valley Bridge is currently not eligible, will it maybe be in the future. Mr. Doolittle said that it is not eligible for the State program is because its condition is not bad enough to warrant eligibility and because it was reconstructed last in 1988. The State program only funds bridges every 20 years. He said, “by the time we get to this bridge in our program, 2010 at least, it may be eligible.”
Councillor Williams asked how long it takes to get funding. Mr. Doolittle responded that, for the State Program, money should be ready for reimbursement around the time of construction. For the Federal Program, more money is needed up front because the reimbursement process takes several years. Mr. Doolittle confirmed that reimbursement can not come from both Programs.
Councillor Williams asked if the timing involved was why the Town applied for the 31 percent rather than the 80 percent reimbursement. Mr. Doolittle responded that the Federal Program has stricter criteria for the bridges that are eligible.
Mr. Doolittle confirmed for Councillor Williams that the 4 percent inflation was carried out through to 2012.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey discussed how these bridges need to be addressed in a timely fashion, and because the bridges are not at the point of falling down, the Town fortunately has two or three years to plan some of this out.
Mr. Doolittle informed Deputy Mayor Pelkey that the 31 percent reimbursement is for the entire design and construction. Deputy Mayor Pelkey asked if while the design part is being done, can reimbursement be put in for that portion of it. Mr. Doolittle said that they could, but he didn’t know how long it would take to get it.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey asked if the percentage amount of reimbursement has changed over the past few years. Mr. Doolittle said that it is based on a formula and every town has a slightly different number, but it has been consistent.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey discussed that he thinks that this particular project needs to get going. He thanked them for their input and report.
6. A. (Continued)
Town Manager Galligan said that the next meeting will have a resolution with all of the recommendations so that the Town can move forward. He stated that he sent the letter to the State to hold the funding, but that it was subject to Town Council approval.
B. Update on “Weapons Qualification Range” – (Chief Gary Tyler, Police Department, to report)
Chief Tyler gave an update on the range. He said that the need for a police range was discussed 2 years. It is needed for the qualifications that are mandated by the State and also for the extra training that is given to the SWAT Team and other members of the Department. He said that there was not a lot of excitement about putting the range in South Windsor. They regrouped and went back to their Fire Arms Instructor and discussed what they could do as an alternative. Over a number of years, they have borrowed ranges, but the number of days that they could use them were limited.
Sgt. Peter Alex said that the mission that they had to come up with was to provide quality training for South Windsor Officers. Not only did they have to meet, but they had to exceed State and Federal Standards for use of force training for law enforcement. By doing that, liability is reduced and they have to maximize the available resources that they have, specifically their time.
Sgt. Alex gave a brief overview of what they have been doing between 1990 and 2004. He listed the different ranges that they have used in the past. The places they have looked at in South Windsor were the old land fill on Burgess Road, private property down in the meadows, and the Pudim Property on Barber Hill Road. He said that it was within 24 hours of this proposal to the Council that there was some resistance to putting a range at any of these locations or anywhere within the boundaries of South Windsor.
Sgt. Alex said that they then decided to look outside of Town, and began going to the Somer’s Sportsman’s Association. They have been going up there for about 6 years. He explained that in the process, an offer was made to allow them to use a small pistol range that the Association had not been using, but South Windsor Police would be responsible for the maintenance. He discussed and showed pictures of how they made the range within acceptable industry standards. Sgt. Alex then discussed the cost factors that are associated with agencies that do not train their police officers.
Sgt. Alex stated that the consensus was that the Police Department should take that activity out of Town, and they did. They have entered into a letter of agreement with the Somer’s Sportsman’s Association on a ten year basis, and for
6. B. (Continued)
them to use the range and make the improvements as they see fit. South Windsor has first priority on the range, and when they are not using it the Association uses it for club activities. He said it is a “win win” situation. This range allows South Windsor Officers to go up on their own, all they have to do is let themselves in and check-in with the communications center. The amount of training has increased by about 200% and it is going to continue.
Councillor Yagaloff thanked the Police Department for showing a lot of initiative and coming up with a creative solution. Sgt. Alex confirmed for Councillor Yagaloff that there is certification for shooting ranges, as to how it should be constructed, where things get placed, how things operate, and where officers come and go.
Sgt. Alex said that there are several agencies where information can be obtained about the construction of these things. The South Windsor Police Department sought information from all of those sources with regards to the specifications needed. He said that as far as certification, all of the officers are certified by the State of Connecticut as Police Officers. Part of that training encompasses fire arm training, not just the use but the safety aspects. Sgt. Alex explained that when they go to the shooting range, they have “lesson plans with specific goals and objectives for that block of instruction, whether they be shooting at a moving target, whether they be moving from cover to cover engaging targets.” Sgt. Alex also explained that “the lesson plans are done well in
advance. They are approved by the Chief, by Cmdr. Reed, and they are carried out by certified fire arms instructors. As an instructor, I have to be certified by the State of Connecticut and I have to be recertified every three years.” Sgt. Alex stressed that the goal is to do as much training as they can and put as much stress and strain on the officers during this training as they can.
Chief Tyler added that the training instructors keep records on everyone’s shooting records, to monitor and fix problems. He also explained the process that is used to change lesson plans.
Chief Tyler thanked those that helped on the improvements.
Chief Tyler confirmed for Councillor Delnicki that no tax payer dollars were spent to do the improvements (i.e., bring in dirt, move dirt, and move the tires). Councillor Delnicki asked who was responsible for negotiating the deal with the Somer’s Sportsman’s Authority. Chief Tyler said that it was Sgt. Alex. Councillor Delnicki thanked Sgt. Alex.
6. B. (Continued)
Town Attorney Guliano answered for Councillor Pendleton that the Town’s insurance would still pay if something were to happen at the club.
Councillor Pendleton also asked when the training was done. Sgt. Alex informed her that they schedule people in luau of their regularly assigned shifts. Councillor Pendleton was interested because in this evening’s agenda, there is an item regarding moneys for overtime. Sgt. Alex said that some of that money is for the overtime needed for training, but it is kept to a minimum.
Sgt. Alex informed Councillor Pendleton that the State minimum is three hours of fire arms training per year. South Windsor is doing about 20 hours per year, and it is not target shooting, it is very dynamic shooting.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey thanked Sgt. Alex. Sgt. Alex confirmed for Deputy Mayor Pelkey that the Town Attorney, the Town Manager, and the Chief went over the letter of agreement before it was signed.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey asked if there has been a change to the insurance. Sgt. Alex said that he doesn’t know if it is going to affect the insurance costs, but it will affect the liability should an officer get involved in a shooting.
Deputy Mayor Pelkey was also concerned with the certification of the structure that was built. He asked if once it is built is there a way to get a certificate stating that it is a safe structure. Sgt. Alex said that he did not believe so. Chief Tyler said that they followed guidelines and even went beyond that.
Mayor Havens called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. and immediately recessed it to continue the Work Session.
Councillor Streeter asked Sgt. Alex if there is training as for the level of force, and at what point do they go to deadly force rather than using other means of less force. Sgt. Alex responded that as part of the 3 hours of mandatory training there are mandatory updates on what the laws are regarding what statutes allow the use of physical force. The officers are trained on use of force from its lowest level to its highest level. The lowest level is an officer’s mere presence. He described the different types of training used.
Councillor Streeter inquired about the training for rifles or shot guns. Sgt. Alex said that the training is done in the same place, but not at the pistol range. The current weapons that are available to South Windsor Police Officers are the 45 Caliber Side Arm to the 12 Gage Shot Gun, which is in every marked cruiser and about a half dozen AR15 Rifles are assigned to specific officers in the agency.
6. B. (Continued)
Mayor Havens said that they not only showed off their new fire range, but they brought the Council up to date on what a good police department the Town has.
Councillor Williams asked if they had a regulatory agency that comes in and looks at the training. Sgt. Alex and the Chief explained that the Police Academy comes in on an annual basis.
7. Executive Session (To discuss personnel matters)
Mayor Havens said that they will not be having an Executive Session.
8. Adjournment
The Work Session was adjourned at approximately 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Vanessa Perry
Assistant to the Clerk of the Council
Attachments (Exhibit A and Exhibit B)
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