MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
June 1, 2016
A REGULAR MEETING was held by the Board of Public Safety in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone and Board of Public Safety Commissioners Angelo LaMonica, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, Robert Conforti, Glenn McLeod and Darlene Battle. Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Traffic Officer Steven Pisarski, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli and Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler were also present, along with Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa, Drakeville Chief Michael Maccalous, and Torringford Lieutenant Josh Cote.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
AWARDS OR PINNING CEREMONIES.
Chief Maniago presented the Exceptional Duty Medal to Sgt. Brett Johnson and Sgt. Richard Dowd for their professionalism as crisis negotiators at an incident on July 24, 2015.
Mr. Quartiero presented artworks created by Commissioner Zaharek that will be displayed in the Auditorium, Police Dept. and Fire Dept.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special meeting held jointly with City Council on April 6, 2016.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the minutes of the Regular meeting held May 4, 2016.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Jonathan Ryan, Christopher Ryan, Sr., Bill Marchand and Charles Ebersol spoke in opposition to the Police Dept.’s resistance to Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home’s continued use of meter bags to facilitate funeral services. Chief Maniago said he would submit a plan to resolve this to the Board.
POLICE DEPT: Officer Matthew Fifer
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Off. Matthew Fifer as a regular member of the Police Department, having completed his probationary period one year following his Police Academy graduation on May 18, 2015.
REPORTS
FIRE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli's Report. Chief Brunoli explained that the Schools’ Emergency Plan will not be open to the public, and assured the Board that they are training and conducting drills.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Bascetta’s Report.
POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Maniago’s Report.
TRAFFIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Report.
EMS PROVIDER
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report.
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Torringford reported they will be at the ‘Touch-a-Truck’ event on June 11th and will have a Car Show downtown on July 8th.
Drakeville Chief Michael Maccalous reported that the Volunteer Departments are still meeting on a regular basis, trying to improve service.
BUSINESS BY DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago reported that the new K9 graduates from patrol dog school on June 30th, one recruit graduated from the Police Academy, two recruits graduated from the previous Police Academy, there is a Police Explorer car show on June 17th, and that a Special Olympics Torch Run will occur on June 9th.
Deputy Chief Smedick noted that the results of emergency planning efforts were seen recently when Police were called to a secure situation at the Middle School. He said that Lt. Barown, Police Staff and School Staff worked in unison and it was evident that the planning and training have gone well. Mayor Carbone expressed her appreciation and agreed, saying that she received a report that the confidence level was very high.
BUSINESS BY MAYOR AND MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
All Commissioners and Mayor Carbone congratulated Sgt. Brett Johnson and Sgt. Richard Dowd.
Commissioner LaMonica added that he is glad the Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home issue can be resolved.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that the right on red from E. Main St. to Dibble St. creates three lanes of traffic. Chief Maniago said it is up to the State.
Commissioner Conforti said the Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home issue illustrates the need to set standards. Commissioner McLeod commended Chief Maniago on his handling of the Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home issue.
Commissioner Battle added that she is glad to hear the school safety plan is going well.
Mayor Carbone noted that budget deliberations have been concluded and thanked Chief Brunoli and Chief Maniago for bringing forward zero-increase budgets. She commended them for saying that even though the budget cuts will hold their departments back in certain areas such as training, supplies and infrastructure improvements, they have promised to be able to provide the best service that the citizens of Torrington deserve. She said she greatly appreciated the attitude they brought forward with this budget.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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