MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
March 23, 2017
A SPECIAL MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Thursday, March 23, 2017.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone and Commissioners Robert Conforti, Darlene Battle, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, Glenn McLeod and Angelo LaMonica. Also present were Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, and Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, along with Chief Maccalous from Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department, Comptroller Alice Proulx and Deputy Comptroller Gina Casper.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance. She explained the Board’s responsibility to review, discuss and recommend to City Council their approval of public safety budgets. Mayor Carbone noted that the Departments were charged with bringing in budget proposals with the same funding level as last year, in light of the current State budget situation, the unpredictability of additional revenues, the loss of revenue due to the motor vehicle mill rate cap, and the fact that our grand list declines a little in real estate. She said at the end of the budget process, when a better understanding is available of what our revenue will be, they will determine which items may be brought back into the budget.
ANIMAL CONTROL
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to approve a FY17/18 Animal Control budget of $260,123. Chief Maniago listed decreases totaling $16,000, bringing the budget down to a 0% increase from last year.
Commissioner Battle questioned the impact of reducing the veterinary budget on the animals’ wellbeing, and Chief Maniago said they will continue to take very good care of the animals.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to approve a FY17/18 Police Department budget of $8,776,072. Chief Maniago listed decreases totaling $423,039, bringing the budget down to a 0% increase from last year.
Commissioner McLeod asked if the downtown patrol will be affected and Chief Maniago said they plan to review their daily operations, be flexible and provide the same level of service that everyone expects.
Commissioner Battle questioned the equipment reductions and Chief Maniago said purchases are done on a planned program.
Commissioner McLeod asked what is happening with body cameras. Mayor Carbone said that will be considered in a regular monthly meeting. Chief Maniago said these are obtained through a State grant and they are looking at a trial period.
Commissioner Benedetto disagreed with the budget cuts from the impound lot on Winthrop Street and asked about screening the wrecks from view. Chief Maniago said he plans to work with the Public Works Director on a plan for shared services to alleviate that problem.
Chief Maniago explained that the Tru Narc Scan System would have been used to test drugs in their packaging without exposing officers to them. He said they still have safe options to test drugs without purchasing this system.
TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to approve a FY17/18 Traffic budget of $344,685. Chief Maniago listed reductions totaling $49,488.25, bringing the budget down to a 0% increase from last year.
Commissioner McLeod questioned the reduction of the Parking Enforcement Officer’s hours from 40 to 32, and thereby cutting a person’s paycheck. Chief Maniago agreed that this is a revenue-generating position and said the patrol division can cover parking enforcement. Mayor Carbone urged the Board to allow the Chief latitude to do this and then revisit it next year after additional metered parking is installed at the new Court House. The Board expressed their dislike of having to cut the Parking Enforcement Officer’s hours.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to approve a FY17/18 Emergency Management budget of $35,611.
Commissioner Benedetto asked what the Deputy Emergency Management Director does. Chief Brunoli explained that in his 12-hour workweek, he runs CERT and ham radio classes, and ensures that shelters and warming centers are prepared. Commissioner McLeod requested a more detailed report.
Chief Brunoli explained that he could handle these duties with assistance from his Training Officers, but would want to be compensated for it. Mayor Carbone noted that the appointment of a Deputy Emergency Management Director falls under the purview of the Mayor. She said that this position is grant-funded by 50%, and that all recognize that it needs to be done differently. Mayor Carbone cautioned that the State is focusing on regionalizing Emergency Management. Commissioner McLeod said this was discussed last year and he hopes it is not still a discussion next year.
Chief Brunoli said he is more in need of a Facility Manager.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to approve a FY17/18 Fire Department budget of $5,110,487. Chief Brunoli listed reductions totaling $178,285, bringing the budget down to a 0% increase from last year.
Commissioner McLeod asked if the Fire Marshal cuts leave us in compliance with state requirements. Chief Brunoli said they have been ahead of state requirements, and will still meet those requirements but there will be reductions in the total number of buildings inspected.
Commissioner McLeod asked if this budget puts firefighters more at risk when they answer a call. Chief Brunoli said he’s doing his best to make it work.
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Commissioner Benedetto asked if firefighters’ equipment is sufficient. Chief Brunoli said it is in good shape.
VOLUNTEER
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to approve a FY17/18 Volunteer Fire Department budget of $89,758.
Chief Brunoli said he will not fund Burrville Fire Department, and will direct $29,000 each to Drakeville VFD and Torringford VFD. He said the Fire Police vehicle is at the Burrville Fire House right now and that he has no official information about Burrville’s status. Since there has been no contact from them, Chief Brunoli said that dispatching to Burrville VFD ended March 9, 2017 due to a lack of personnel to provide service. He said he will inform local residents that can rest assured that they will get the same protection service as always.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:25 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MMC, MCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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