MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
February 4, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Commissioners Darlene Battle, Douglas Benedetto, Glenn McLeod 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 Richard Zaharek and Angelo LaMonica were absent. Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa, Torringford Fire Chief Elliot Bickford, and Drakeville Fire Chief Michael Maccalous were also present.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance, the acknowledgement of K9 Brodie and K9 Titus, and an Award Ceremony for local Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners. Mayor Carbone gave the oath of office to newly promoted Lt. John Joseph, who was pinned with his badge of office by his family.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held January 7, 2015.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, 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 Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session regarding Police Department Personnel at 6:50 p.m., inviting Chief Maniago, Deputy Chief Smedick and Atty. Rigat.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 6:58 p.m.
PROMOTIONS - POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to promote Off. Matthew Southard to the position of Sergeant, with an effective date at the discretion of the Chief.
REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Maniago’s Report for December 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Report for December 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli's Report for December 2014. Commissioner McLeod asked for a total number of hours on the overtime report, and Commissioner Benedetto asked if the list of those to be hired is still valid. Chief Brunoli said the list has expired and they used everyone on it.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report for December 2014. Commissioner Benedetto asked how long the CT Fire Academy takes and if firefighters are ready after the shorter two week training session. Deputy Chief Pepler said CT takes 14 weeks to complete and this is the third group being trained in two weeks’ time.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report for December 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Emergency Management Report for December 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Tharau's Report for December 2014.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept EMS Provider Activity Report for December 2014.
Regarding the Police Chief’s report, Commissioner Benedetto asked how the animal control is going in Goshen. Chief Maniago said they are working on a budget and have received no complaints.
Commissioner McLeod noted the complaints about crime in the Franklin Street area where Main Street Market will be relocated and asked for a crime statistics report.
Chief Maniago described the Yale University active shooter class he attended with Deputy Chief Smedick, Lt. Barown and the School Resource Officer.
Officer Pisarski explained how the Library’s expansion plans will not cause the loss of parking spaces. He said they will lease parking spaces from the City.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Drakeville Chief Maccalous had no news to report.
Torringford Chief Bickford reported that they are sending two of their newer members to the Spring Firefighter I course at the Burrville Fire School, that another member will be attending the Spring Firefighter II class at the Wolcott Fire School, and that they received several new membership applications.
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 thanked the Mayor for the National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day proclamation, and recognized the Detective and Patrol Divisions for their work in drug and gun seizures.
Chief Brunoli thanked Captain Hudson for his years of service and thanked Drakeville and Torringford Fire Departments for loaning their engines to the City. He said he is short four firefighters and projects a fifth vacancy by the end of the month, causing continued overtime expense.
Director Rosa thanked City departments for their help in the recent winter storm event and noted that Campion Ambulance responds to calls in the Franklin Street area, and police officers respond to 9-1-1 calls. He said people are confusing ‘activity’ with ‘crime’.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Benedetto recognized the Police Department for the work they’ve done, and the plow drivers for clearing the roads.
Commissioner Conforti also recognized and commended both Chiefs, congratulated the poster winners and thanked Officer Deloy and K9 Brodie.
Commissioner McLeod congratulated the poster winners and the retiring K9.
Commissioner Battle said she echoed those sentiments and asked how the signage preventing driveway blockage is going. Officer Pisarski said it seems to be working.
Mayor Carbone expressed her appreciation to both departments for their assistance planning for recent winter storms. She said it was helpful and reassuring that they knew what to do, how to do it and when it needed to be done. She also thanked both departments for their help in planning the Main Street Marketplace move to Franklin Street.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:16 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
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