MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
January 4, 2017
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wed., Jan. 4, 2017.
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, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Traffic Officer Stephen Pisarski, Fire Dept. Training Officer David Tripp, and Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa, along with Drakeville Fire Chief Mike Maccalous, and representatives from Torringford VFD.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held December 7, 2016.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Telephonic meeting held December 27, 2016. Commissioners Benedetto and LaMonica abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
J. Thomas Ferrarotti thanked Mayor Carbone and Chief Maniago for meeting with him to discuss parking on Coe Place. He noted that the December 7th Board of Public Safety Minutes say that parking is prohibited on Coe Place since 2005 and added that, while the minutes are an accurate reflection of what was said at the meeting, the statement itself is not accurate. Mr. Ferrarotti said that parking was not prohibited on the north side of Coe Place for a time before, and including, 2005 but was prohibited on the south side for a period of time before and including 2005. Mr. Ferrarotti asked that the minutes show that parking has been prohibited on Coe Place since some time between April 1, 2016 and October 1, 2016.
Jennifer Lopez reported on her efforts to return the D.A.R.E. program to the fifth grade children of Torrington, after being cut from last year’s budget. She said a very dedicated group of eight moms has been working extremely hard to raise the money needed and that she is 100% confident the money will be available to start having the D.A.R.E. program in our schools in this school year. Mrs. Lopez noted the features of the D.A.R.E. program such as teaching the dangers of drugs and alcohol, preparing them for the Middle School, and teaching them about bullying and social media. She said if it helps even just a couple of students, it’s worth it. She said she feels the relationship built with the Police Officers is important and that parents want their children to trust the Police Officers. Mrs.
Lopez expressed her hope that the D.A.R.E. program will again be included in the City budget next year.
Matthew Parkhouse expressed his support for the D.A.R.E. program and listed its features such as its focus on social and emotional bullying and cyber-bullying; managing stress, communication, using social media and the internet properly, texting, using a phone properly, positive and negative peer pressure associated with risk-taking and the facts it teaches about alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse. He said it builds a bridge between the Police Dept. and the community and invited the Board into his classroom to observe the program.
Glenn Royals spoke of his experiences working with the D.A.R.E. program for many years, saying we have to give back. You don’t forget your D.A.R.E. officer, he said and noted that if even one child was saved, the program was a success.
Sgt. Richard Dowd commended the community’s tremendous support of the D.A.R.E. program, saying it’s a phenomenal program, which has changed over the years. He said he thinks people today have a very simplistic outlook on the program, thinking that it’s all-encompassing, saving everybody. That’s not the case, he said, it’s a partnership between the City, teachers, parents and police. He reported that he thinks the D.A.R.E.
program can be run this year with the fundraising that has occurred and the dedicated officers willing to sacrifice to get the D.A.R.E. program running this year. Sgt. Dowd shared two stories of students applying to their life some of the lessons learned and friendships formed in D.A.R.E. He said he knows we are bridging the financial gap to get this program up and running this year.
TABLED: New Firefighter Hiring Changes
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to table the New Firefighter Hiring Changes described in Chief Brunoli’s letter dated November 9, 2016, tabled December 7, 2016.
REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner, Benedetto seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli's Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Maniago’s Report.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Report.
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report.
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. Torringford reported their Christmas Tree Sale was a success.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago thanked those who worked to fund the D.A.R.E. program for this coming year. He noted two occasions where police officers extended themselves to show their appreciation to the community, such as buying breakfast for all in a restaurant and buying Christmas ornaments and decorations for someone in need. He said the community interactions and relationships are a tribute not only to the quality of the officers, but to the command staff that they are working for. They should all be commended, he said.
Training Officer Tripp thanked the Torrington Firefighters Local 1567 for their successful efforts for children at Christmas. He said that Chief Brunoli posted a Stakeholders Survey on the City website for his Five-Year Strategic Plan.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
All Members expressed their appreciation for the Police Personnel and Firefighters. Commissioner Benedetto congratulated Pat Marciano on her retirement. Commissioner Conforti thanked the Mayor and his fellow Commissioners for his first three years on the Board, saying he learned a lot. Commissioner McLeod asked how much the D.A.R.E. program costs and Chief Maniago said they are trying to raise $25,000.
Mayor Carbone pointed out that too often we neglect to promote all the good that our Police and Firefighters do in our community, saying that neglect has to change. She said there are no words to express her gratitude to the volunteers who truly make a difference in this community despite the budget dilemmas we face, such as the dedicated group making up for, and filling the void that our taxpayers can’t afford anymore, such as those who raised funds for the D.A.R.E. program.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:05 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC, MCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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