MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
June 3, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Commissioners Darlene Battle, Glenn McLeod, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, Angelo LaMonica and Robert Conforti, along with Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Police Chief Michael Maniago, and Deputy Chief Christopher Smedick. Also present were Traffic Officer Steven Pisarski and Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. starting with both the Fire and Police Departments recognitions and awards.
Fire Chief Brunoli, Deputy Chief Pepler and Training Officer Tripp gave Unit Citations to Captain Thomas Sterling, Lieutenant Walter Dixon, Firefighter Neal Wescott, Probationary Firefighter Nathan Derwitsch, and Probationary Firefighter John Ryan.
Mr. Rosa added that this group performed flawlessly and presented Campion ambulance employees with commendations as well.
Deputy Chief Pepler commended Firefighter Neal Wescott for Meritorious Service, after having been nominated by two of his peers.
Police Chief Maniago, Deputy Chief Smedick and Sergeant Dowd presented the following awards:
Honorable Service Medal: Sergeant Dustin Baldis
Lifesaving Medal: Officer Oscar Segui, Officer Farren Dinunzio, Officer Matthew Gonska, Officer Michael Gallagher
Exceptional Duty Medal: Sergeant Gregory Wityak, Sergeant John Maiga, Sergeant Matthew Southard, Sergeant Brett Johnson, Officer Brandon Kelly, and Officer Richard Loucks
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held May 6, 2015.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Sharon Waagner expressed her congratulations and appreciation to the Public Safety Services. She urged the Board to look at their parking regulations and consider stricter short-term parking enforcement especially with the anticipated sidewalk re-construction.
REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Maniago’s Report for April 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Report for April 2015.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously
to add to the agenda.
POLICE LIEUTENANT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the board voted unanimously to accept the permanent appointment of Lieutenant Linas Venclauskas, having successfully completed his six-month probationary period. Chief Maniago said Lt. Venclauskas is doing an outstanding job, and is a well-respected member of the Police Department.
REPORTS Continued
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli's Report for April 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report for April 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report for April 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Report for April 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Bascetta’s Report for April 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report for April 2015.
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. Torringford VFD announced upcoming fundraisers and reported that they have two firefighters in Firefighter One School and a new firefighter has just joined them.
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 said K9 Titus has graduated from the K9 Academy with Officer Deloy. He reported that the Parking Enforcement Officer is retiring July 1st and a replacement has been given a conditional job offer. Chief Maniago said four conditional job offers have been issued, and announced an upcoming blood drive held in conjunction with the Fire Department on June 30th. He thanked the local business that donated a Segway, and commended the Police Athletic League for their diligent work. Chief Maniago reported that the school system security plan will be reviewed in a final meeting with the Dept. of Homeland Security on June 4th.
Deputy Chief Smedick reminded the Board that the Special Olympics Torch Run will pass City Hall in the morning. He commended the efforts of Special Olympics Coordinator Det. Maddie Farfan, having achieved the eighth fundraising rank in the state. He reported that Kaylee Ceruto was nationally recognized as the national PAL volunteer of the year, and announced two major fundraisers for PAL – a Lobsterfest at Action Wildlife and a Golf Tournament.
Chief Brunoli reported that burn permits are now being issued due to recent rains. He announced three events for June 13th – Touch-a-Truck, Downtown Open House, and a Mass Casualty Exercise at East School.
He said that the proposed state budget cuts will significantly decrease funding for regional schools, as Firefighter One will go from $600 to $1750 and Firefighter Two will go from $550 to $1400.
Deputy Chief Pepler updated the Board on the status of Truck One saying it went to First Line in Cromwell, the authorized warrantee service company. He noted that after fifty sets of eyes used and trained on the truck, warrantee issues were found and a punch list created, including air conditioning repairs, hydraulic leak repairs and general items. Deputy Chief Pepler explained that the vehicle had 28,000 miles on it and was typically set up by a salesperson, not a firefighter. He said the truck will have a front axle brake installed, a necessity in Torrington’s hills. He said he is optimistic that it will be completed by the end of this week. Commissioner Benedetto requested a report from First Line. Chief Brunoli added that there is a five-year warrantee. Commissioner McLeod said it is
embarrassing to not know when something is going on, and requested better communication, such as a quick email.
Deputy Fire Chief Pepler noted that in the three large fires over the last month, the new firefighters have exceeded their expectations.
Director Rosa invited everyone to the Butterfly Event to support the Center for Cancer Care, and the Cancer Survivor’s Day at Eastwood Country Club.
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.
Commissioner LaMonica offered his congratulations.
Commissioner Zaharek said it was enlightening to hear about the lifesaving efforts that are made, as the greatest gift one person can give another is a second chance at life. He offered his congratulations.
Commissioner Benedetto informed Officer Pisarski that two seniors complained that Roberts Street’s visibility is impaired by overgrown bushes and there is no stop sign at the other end. He offered his congratulations.
Commissioner Conforti added his congratulations to the award winners and to the Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs because the awards are a tribute to them as well. He thanked the Chiefs for their hard work on the City Budget.
Commissioner McLeod offered his congratulations and added that he is disappointed and dismayed about what was done to both of the budgets. He said Councilor Cavagnero spoke very well about it.
Commissioner Battle expressed her pride in our Departments as they do a wonderful job. She said it was sobering to think how many people consider suicide, but she thanked the Departments for the work they do.
Mayor Carbone presented the level five budget cuts reviewed with Chief Maniago and presented to City Council. Mayor Carbone noted that they aimed for the least damage regarding staffing cuts and capital reserve cuts for Traffic and Animal Control. She said a software line item was cut by transferring it to the I.T. Dept. budget, and a $79,435 budget cut, to be determined by the Chief, was proposed. She noted that Congresswoman Esty indicated that grant funding is available for body cameras, and said that Capital Reserve funds are still being set aside for body armor. She said they would look for funding opportunities to rebuild the Animal Control Facility through the Council of Governments and the Regional Program. Mayor Carbone stated that the last City budget cut of $240,000 will not be cut from the
Police or Fire Department budgets.
Mayor Carbone said she is incredibly proud of both of our Departments, a testament to their leadership, and offered her gratitude to all of them.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:04 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
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Carol L. Anderson, MCTC, CMC Assistant City Clerk
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