TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES
TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS January 2, 2007
SOUTH WINDSOR TOWN HALL TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Streeter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor Matthew Streeter
Deputy Mayor Thomas Delnicki
Councillor Edward Havens
Councillor John Pelkey
Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff (Arriv. 7:10 p.m.)
Members Absent: Councillor Fine
Councillor Moriarty
Councillor McCann
Town Manager Matthew Galligan
Also Present: Asst. to Town Manager Judith Hall
3. Public Participation - None
4. Communications - None
5. Town Manager’s Report - None
6. Items for Discussion
A. Fire Marshal Walter Summers addressed the Town Council regarding the following:
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion (Continued)
Fire Prevention Grant (Continued)
This Grant, Mr. Summers explained, is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (or, “The Fire Act”); and is under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security. (He then referred to the program guidance that he felt would answer most of the Town Councils questions.)
The primary goal for this Grant, according to the Fire Marshal, is to target “high risk populations;” and to mitigate high instances of death and injury. Examples of types of projects that have been supported by this Grant include—Fire Prevention and Public Safety Education Campaigns; Juvenile Fire-Setter Intervention Programs; and Arson Prevention and Awareness.
Continuing, Mr. Summers stated that the “goal” for this Grant is inspections of South Windsor’s greatest fire loss and life hazards which, he believes, are “condominium units that are really apartments.” He explained that there are, presently, 17 condominium complexes—with a total of 2,048 units. This, according to the Fire Marshal, represents over 21% of the residential housing stock for the Town; with a total population of over 5,000 people.
Mr. Summers added that two (2) of these complexes are restricted to senior citizens over the age of 55. However, the “target audiences” which are both represented in these condos are the age groups of less than 17 years of age and over 55 years of age. He felt it was important to remember that these complexes (except two of them) are older than 10 years old.
Another issue the Fire Marshal touched upon was regarding “smoke alarms”--that being that the Residential Fire Institute recommends that “smoke alarms” over 10 years old are near the end of their service life, and should be replaced. It is a fallacy to think that smoke alarms “sit idle” until smoke is present; however, he added, that is not true. A smoke detector is “constantly monitoring the air 24 hours per day,” he said. The potential to fail to detect a fire increases substantially in a 10-year-old smoke detector; however, replacement reduces the likelihood of failure.
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion (Continued)
Fire Prevention Grant (Continued)
Also recognized as important by the State of Connecticut are the “carbon monoxide detectors,” according to Mr. Summers; and all new residential occupancies are required by the Connecticut State Building Code to have carbon monoxide detectors installed.
The Fire Marshal explained that this Grant includes a request for a combination “smoke/carbon monoxide detector. He felt it would be a “proactive measure” to cover both of these life-threatening conditions at the same time.
Returning to the subject of the Town’s condominiums, Mr. Summer reported that Fire Department records indicate that these units have had forty-one (41) fires since 1994—with a total dollar loss of over $5,000,000 Fortunately, he added, with this number of fires, only one (1) critical burn injury was reported.
In some of the condominiums, according to Mr. Summer, there is “no fire-rated construction separating the units; nor did the State of Connecticut require, at the time of their construction, the installation of a “sprinkler system;” and, at this time, does not require retrofits for existing structures. Only two of the complexes, he informed the Council, Berry Patch and Watson Farm have a 13-R sprinkler system installed.
Also not required by the State of Connecticut at the time of construction of these units, according to the Fire Marshal, to have a “central fire alarm system. Most, he added, have a “single station smoke detector.” In conclusion, and based on the foregoing facts, Mr. Summers stated, these units have the greatest risks for fire loss and loss of life in our community.
As the Council knows, according to the Fire Marshal, Fiscal Year 2005 and 2006 was a “year of transition” in the Fire Marshal’s Office. In reviewing inspection records and property data, it+ has determined that most of these 2,048 units are required to be inspected “yearly” as apartments. These units, he said, add to the “already 702 properties that are currently required to be inspected yearly.”
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion (Continued)
Fire Prevention Grant (Continued)
Staffing levels, he added, for the Town of South Windsor, as Council knows is one (1) fulltime, and one (1) part-time Fire Marshal. Most of the time in his office, as is the case in other Fire Marshal offices, is dedicated to new construction, licensing, and complaint inspection, he said. Current staffing levels, he added, would not support this project; however, this Grant includes a request for another fulltime Fire Marshal to complete this project.
Mr. Summers then explained the three phases of this Grant as being: (1) the initial outreach—i.e., contacting South Windsor Property Managers and Condominium Associations for each complex to put in place a comprehensive plan, including information to “educate the occupants” on the goals of the program, how to meet the State Fire Code, etc. (2) the Grant contains a request to purchase DC smoke detectors and combination CO detectors—all occupants that need these devices will be provided with one at no cost to them; and (3) a partnership with the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department will be initiated to implement an “evacuation and accountability program” with each Condominium Association.
South Windsor’s Fire Department, according to the Fire Marshal, has installed a similar “test program” at Pleasant Valley Condominiums; and Fire Chief Crombie, he said, is present this evening to provide the Town Council with an overview of this phase of the program.. He then turned the microphone over to Chief Crombie.
Chief Crombie reminded Council that he had spoken to them prior to this evening regarding the program conducted by South Windsor’s Community Outreach Officer, Kathy Scanlon, instituted about a year ago—and, which too, was initiated at Pleasant Valley Condominiums. This program, he said, was to identify “meeting places” for the complex residents—much the same, he said, as you would institute at your own home. Signs were prepared designating those meeting places.
Chief Crombie added that the Fire Department “partnered” with the Pleasant Valley Condo Association and its Management Company to conduct a “kick-off program” to educate residents. Based on the success of this outreach program, The Chief reported that the Department has received requests from two other condominium complexes to conduct a similar program.
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion (Continued)
Fire Prevention Grant (Continued)
The Chief felt that, with the additional temporary Fire Marshal provided by this Grant, the Fire Marshals would be able to make the initial contact as part of the initiative to place smoke detectors and to do the inspections required of the Fire Marshal’s Office. Following this, he added, the Town’s community outreach team could then go in to develop the program.
Fire Marshal Summers concluded the report, pointed out that the second part of the package provided to the Council was what his office was applying for in the Grant. However, he said, one item he had to add was the signs that the Department of Public Works makes for “evacuation” and “meeting places” has to be budgeted.
Following the conclusion of this report, the Fire Marshal asked Council if they had any questions.
Questions directed to the Fire Marshal included those associated with, i.e.,
a. Councillor Pelkey’s questions regarding the participation and inspection process—such as, was the intent to inspect each individual unit (approximately 2,048 units); or just the “common” areas. The Fire Marshal replied—“each individual unit.” And, were the “detectors” for individual units or common areas; and were they to be for “dual purpose”—c.o. as well as smoke? Mr. Summers replied that the “whole complex” would be covered—each apartment would have a “CO detector;” and each common area, second floor, and basement would have a “smoke detector.”
The Councillor then asked if the receipt of a detector by a resident of a unit contingent upon an inspection of that unit; or was the intent to inspect (for instance) 10% of the units in a Complex, and then issue detectors to all the units in that Complex? Mr. Summer said they “will be going into every unit.” Was admission to a unit for this inspection “voluntary” on the part of the resident? What would happen if an individual did not want to grant admittance; or have the inspection? Mr. Summers responded that a process is described in State Statutes whereby they can enter that unit if it is necessary to inspect it.
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion (Continued)
Fire Prevention Grant (Continued)
Referring to the 702 units of individual houses in Town previously mentioned by the Fire Marshal, Councillor Pelkey asked if these were inspected on a yearly basis. Mr. Summers replied that this is the number that is supposed to be inspected yearly; however, presently 150 are being inspected yearly. And when asked further, agreed that it was because of a “lack of manpower.”
b. Councillor Havens asked what responsibilities the Town would be relinquishing by applying for this Grant; what responsibilities would remain with the Town; the amount of the Grant; and was the Fire Marshal recommending two (2) Fire Marshals—even after the Grant “ran out.” Mr. Summers responded that the Federal share of this Grant was 100%--or, presently (with the cost of the signs added in) approximately $160,000. He added that “benefits” for that additional Fire Marshal are included in the eligible costs of the Grant. Mr. Summers responded “Yes” to the question regarding retaining an additional Fire Marshal, even after the Grant ran
out.
c. Councillor Prague, noting that the South Windsor Fire Department was not applying for this Grant,, asked who was. Mr. Summer answered “the Town is actually applying.” The Councillor added that he, personally, had a problem with the idea that whoever the Town hires will continue on. He then asked the duration of this program; and was told it was a one year Grant.. He felt it would be difficult to hire a person for a year and then inform that person that the “program was over.” He predicted that it would be difficult to get anyone to apply. He suggested training three or four part-time Fire Marshals, perhaps some of whom
were already in the ranks of our Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Summers answered that the Town’s first Volunteer has just entered Fire Marshal’s School and will not graduate until January of 2008.. Mr. Summers added, “There are no Certified members of the Volunteer Fire Department; and the only one eligible to inspect a house is “a State-certified Fire Marshal.”
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion (Continued)
Fire Prevention Grant (Continued)
Mayor Streeter asked the Fire Marshal if there would be a “media campaign” associated with this program whereby the residents of South Windsor could be made aware of this initiative either through Cox Cable TV, or brochures from the Town. Mr. Summers said that the Fire Department has a fire prevention program with “great media access” that should be available for this type of publicity.
Councillor Havens said he certainly could support the Grant; however, he felt that the Town should have the right to “draw up reasonable guidelines so that it is not locked into a situation it has to live with forever.” His suggestion was that another look be taken, in the future, into whether or not there was a need for another part-time or full-time Fire Marshal.
Deputy Mayor Delnicki agreed with Councillor Havens’ comments regarding being locked into retaining a new staff member when the Grant ran out; and added that, if there are no strings attached to maintaining a fulltime position, he could support the application for the Grant. The Deputy Mayor also urged that private homeowners in Town also be given the chance to take advantage of this program and its free smoke and CO detectors.
Councillor Pelkey, referring to the condominium complexes, asked if this program provided the type of smoke detector unit that signaled the other buildings “electronically;” and, also, was new emergency lighting in the hallways part of this program—or could these amenities be added. The Fire Marshal responded that the Fire Prevention Grant limits it is limited to a “smoke alarm campaign.” The Code issues for that, he added, are left up to the property-owners to purchase.
Councillor Pelkey, in conclusion, asked the Fire Marshal if the number of inspections anticipated under this Grant would be more than the usual 702; and Mr. Summers replied that there are 2,000 of these units to do; and agreed that, under this Grant (and with the additional Fire Marshal), he hoped to inspect 2,000.
ITEM:
6. Items for Discussion (Continued)
Fire Prevention Grant (Continued)
Councillor Yagaloff, too, referred to the public’s reluctance to have “people from the Town coming into their houses and doing inspections…..;” and asked what would “trigger” an inspection—the sale of a home, or new construction. Mr. Summers replied that the Fire Code covers “three-family, and above.” One- and two-family inspections, he added, are conducted by the Building Department.
Councillor Yagaloff, too, expressed his concerns that if this additional Fire Marshal is hired and, as an employee, is being paid a salary and benefits would there be problems with letting them go after the year.
Mayor Streeter asked Mrs. Hall if this position would be a “contractual” position. She replied that it would depend on what is specified in the Grant.
7. Executive Session
Deputy Mayor Delnicki moved to go into Executive Session to discuss economic development issue; and possible purchase of #491 King Street property. The Motion was seconded by Mayor Streeter and was approved, unanimously.
8. Adjournment
Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, a Motion to Adjourn the Work Session was made at 7:55 p.m. by Deputy Mayor Delnicki; was seconded by Councillor Prague, and was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Brown
Clerk of the Council
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