MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
January 7, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, January 7, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Commissioners Darlene Battle, Douglas Benedetto, Richard Zaharek and Robert Conforti, along with Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick and Traffic Officer Steven Pisarski. Commissioners Glenn McLeod and Angelo LaMonica were absent. Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa, Fire Dept. Training Officer David Tripp, Jr., Torringford Fire Chief Elliot Bickford, and Drakeville Fire Chief Michael Maccalous were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the ceremonial pinning of newly promoted Police Lieutenant Linas Venclauskas. Mayor Carbone administered the oath of office.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held November 5, 2014. Commissioner Benedetto abstained.
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Joint meeting with the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board held November 10, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Joint meeting with City Council and Board of Finance November 25, 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Telephonic meeting held December 30, 2014. Commissioner Benedetto abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
EXECUTIVE SESSION -- Police Dept. Personnel
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session regarding Police Department Personnel at 6:36 p.m., inviting Chief Maniago, Deputy Chief Smedick and Atty. Rigat.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 6:45 p.m.
PROMOTIONS - POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to promote Sgt. John Joseph to Lieutenant, with an effective date at the discretion of the Chief.
EXECUTIVE SESSION -- Fire Dept. Personnel
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session regarding Fire Department Personnel at 6:47 p.m., inviting Chief Brunoli, Deputy Chief Pepler and Atty. Rigat.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 6:55 p.m.
PROMOTIONS -- FIRE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to promote Lt. David Casper to Captain, with an effective date of January 11, 2015. Mayor Carbone administered the oath of office.
POLICE DEPT. REGULAR MEMBER – M. Richards
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to
accept Officer Matthew Richards as a regular member of the Police Dept., effective 12/18/2014, having completed his probationary period through one year after graduation.
POLICE INTERCEPTORS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s, Police Fleet Manager’s and City Fleet Manager’s recommendation to purchase two 2015 Ford Utility Police Interceptors off the State Contract, from MHQ of Marlborough, MA in the amount of $35,986.93 each, pending Council approval on January 20, 2015. Chief Maniago said the Interceptors should have vinyl seats in the back.
PICK-UP TRUCK – TRAFFIC DEPT.
On an amended motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded as amended by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s, Police Fleet Manager’s and City Fleet Manager’s recommendation to purchase a ¾ Ton 4x4 Pick-Up Truck for the Traffic Dept. from Shaker’s Inc. of Watertown, CT in the amount of $34,943.00, pending City Council approval on January 20, 2015.
REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board considered
Fire Chief Brunoli's Reports for October and November 2014. There was no discussion.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board considered the
Emergency Management Reports for October and November 2014. There was no discussion.
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board considered
Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Reports for October and November 2014. There was no discussion.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board considered
Fire Marshal Tharau's Reports for October and November 2014. There was no discussion.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board considered
Training Officer Tripp's Reports for October and November 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board considered
EMS Provider Activity Reports for October and November 2014. There was no discussion.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board considered
Police Chief Maniago’s Reports for October and November 2014. Commissioner Benedetto questioned the overtime increase. Chief Maniago replied that there are officers in the academy as well as officers out on permanent disability, FTO or work-related injuries and this was the peak vacation season.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board considered
Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Reports for October and November 2014. Commissioner Benedetto asked when the meter rates are going up, and Officer Pisarski said he will find out. Commissioner Conforti noted the increase in unpaid fines and asked how effective the boot letters are. Chief Maniago said the letters are not that effective, and the best means to collect fines is through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago reported on graduating recruits and the retiring canine, ‘Brody’, being replaced by ‘Titus’. He wished Fire Marshal Tharau luck in his retirement.
Chief Brunoli introduced five newly-hired firefighters, thanked Fire Marshal Tharau and Captain Soliani for their years of service to the City, and reported that a firefighter resigned on December 24th, leaving the Department short three firefighters. He noted that in the last year and a half, the Fire Department has lost close to 400 years’ worth of experience. Chief Brunoli said that new firefighter applicants should be ready by mid-June or July, and he provided an after-action report on the 404 Main Street Fire to the Board. He said the ladder truck delivery is expected the first week of February or sooner.
Director Rosa wished Fire Marshal Tharau and Captain Soliani well, and said every Department did exceptionally well at Sunday morning’s accident. He expressed his appreciation for their help.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
ELIMINATE POSITION: Police Sergeant
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to eliminate the fifteenth sergeant position at the Police Department. Chief Maniago explained that since the lieutenant positions have been filled, this sergeant position is no longer needed.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
APPOINT ACTING FIRE MARSHAL
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Edward Bascetta as Acting Fire Marshal effective immediately.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Drakeville Chief Maccalous had no news to report.
Torringford Chief Bickford reported on their successful Christmas Tree Sale.
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.
The Board commended the recently retired, as well as the newly promoted and the newly hired.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the Rally held on Saturday. Chief Maniago replied that 30 or 40 people gathered to show support and thanks to the Police Department. He said it lasted about 70 minutes with no problems or issues. Commissioner Benedetto also thanked the Volunteers, a great asset to the City.
Mayor Carbone gave her heartfelt gratitude to our retiring Fire Marshal and Fire Captain and wished them well. She expressed her gratitude to all of the responders to the Main Street accident on Sunday morning. She said it has been a difficult time and appreciated everyone’s respect and diligence.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:19 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
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