MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
January 6, 2016
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wed., Jan. 6, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, and Commissioners Richard Zaharek, Darlene Battle, Angelo LaMonica, Douglas Benedetto, Glenn McLeod and Robert Conforti. Also present were Police Chief Michael Maniago, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Fire Marshal Ed Bascetta, Training Officer David Tripp and Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa, along with Drakeville Fire Chief Mike Maccalous, and representatives from Torringford VFD and Burrville VFD.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROMOTION, Police Sergeant
Sgt. William Bernabucci was pinned as Sergeant, and given the Oath of Office by Mayor Carbone, Notary Public.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held November 4, 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Telephonic meeting held December 9, 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Telephonic meeting held December 18, 2015. Commissioner Benedetto abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Sharon Waagner invited the Board to attend the City’s Streetlight information session and noted that the perception of what is required of firefighters is often not fully realized. She expressed her hope that the City and Fire Departments come together to work for the community.
Jeremy Menard, President of Local 1567, said he looks forward to continued collaborative effort to provide best possible service to the City along with the best and safest working conditions for members.
Drakeville VFD Capt. David Maccalous expressed objection to Chief Brunoli’s “Torrington Volunteer Fire Service Responses Statistics” report saying the response statistics are presented in a fashion that misrepresent the Volunteers’ responses. He said they are working to better the Volunteer service, and reports like this destroy the morale of the Fire Service.
Ansis Bergs said it hurts to see the City try to take funding away from a Volunteer Fire Department who gives their time and asks for little in return.
POLICE OFFICERS: Duque, Dallas, Connolly
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointments of Officer Nicolas Duque, Officer Joshua Dallas, and Officer Thomas Connolly as regular members of the Police Dept. after completing their probationary period through one year after graduation from the Academy on December 18, 2014.
FIRE DEPT. APPTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to approve the permanent appointment of Firefighters David Munson and John Russell Ryan having successfully completed their first-year probation.
BURRVILLE VFD FUNDING
On an amended motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded as amended by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted 5/1, with Commissioner Benedetto opposed, to withhold 50% or $6,000 from the Burrville Volunteer Fire Department funding in light of an unauthorized purchase of a fire truck, as tabled by the Board of Public Safety on October 7, 2015 and November 4, 2015.
Commissioner McLeod said that breaking the Memorandum of Understanding was very severe and affects all three Volunteer Departments.
Commissioner Conforti said the truck purchase was a blatant disregard for what was written in the M.O.U.
Commissioner Benedetto said the whole department shouldn’t be penalized for the actions of one individual.
Commissioner Zaharek said that withholding funds seems harsh to him and other solutions should be sought.
Commissioner McLeod said that cutting $6,000 will not put Burrville VFD out of business.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
DEVELOP PLAN: City Fire Dept. & Volunteer Dept.
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to allow a 3-month timeframe for the three Volunteer Fire Departments to work with each other and the Chief and Deputy Chief of Fire Services to create a mutual, workable agreement that justifies the allotment of tax dollars to them for FY16-17, and to develop a plan defining how they will continue to provide fire services in the next fiscal year.
DEVELOP PLAN: City Fire Dept. & Volunteer Dept. (Continued)
Commissioner McLeod noted that the timeframe was created with the budget season in mind, and can be extended. He said he would like as many meetings as possible with the Fire Department Subcommittee, the Chief and a representative of each Volunteer Fire Department that can speak for the Department and be held accountable for the Department. He emphasized that the Board wants this to work and urged the Volunteer Fire Departments to remember and respect that Chief Brunoli is the Chief of Fire Services.
Commissioner Battle agreed that the Board really wants to make this work and said the Volunteer Fire Service is an important part of what the City needs. She said the Board wants to support them, help them, and move it forward.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that there was a plan put into place in 2010, with another one created in 2013, and that those plans weren’t followed.
Commissioner Zaharek said that everyone on the Subcommittee needs to determine what will be necessary to maintain the strength of the Volunteer Fire Department.
Commissioner LaMonica said it is encouraging to see the Volunteers’ efforts to find an agreement.
REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli's Reports.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Reports.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Reports.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Reports.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Bascetta’s Report.
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Maniago’s Reports.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Reports for October and November 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept EMS Provider Activity Reports for October and November 2015.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments. Drakeville and Torringford had no report. Burrville’s Captain Noad explained the Department’s finances including recent truck sales, the bills paid with those funds, and the outstanding bills.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago commended the Officers involved in the December 24th incident, saying they did an outstanding job exercising discretion and de-escalation techniques.
Chief Brunoli asked the Board to read the Community Risk Reduction Plan he distributed to them, saying that some costs related to it will be included in the next budget. He thanked Lt. Garrison for 15 years exemplary service on the Christmas for Children program, which will be turned over to FF. Brian Parks. Chief Brunoli noted some of the thank you letters he received.
Deputy Chief Pepler recognized those who responded to a basement fire of December 5, 2015.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner LaMonica *inaudible
Commissioner Zaharek congratulated the newly promoted and said it is interesting to hear what our Police and Firefighters are doing out there, saying the incidents described are frightful.
Commissioner Benedetto thanked the Police Department for taking care of speeding incidents on Dartmouth St. He thanked those newly promoted and the Volunteers for their service. He said he hopes everyone can work together to put this issue behind us.
Commissioner Conforti congratulated the newly promoted and thanked the Volunteer Firefighters for attending the meeting. He said the Board wants them to succeed, and he expressed his appreciation.
Commissioner McLeod congratulated the newly promoted. He thanked the Police and Fire Personnel for their professional and compassionate response to an incident in his family.
Commissioner Battle congratulated the newly promoted and said she was pleased to hear how the December 24th incident turned out. She said she is proud of the work the Police, Fire and Ambulance personnel perform and expressed her appreciation to the Volunteers.
Mayor Carbone echoed the Commissioners sentiments and urged everyone to be collaborative in their efforts. She said she appreciates seeing the Board’s desire to see the Volunteer Fire Departments working together and building this from the bottom up. She announced an upcoming talk by Dr. David Griffin regarding Organizational Change on February 10th at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium. Mayor Carbone also announced a Streetlight Informational Meeting on January 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Police Personnel at 7:46 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:58 p.m.
HIRE POLICE OFFICER
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to hire James Hoye as a Probationary Police Officer with an effective date at the discretion of the Chief.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC, MCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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