MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
September 2, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, September 2, 2015.
Those in attendance included Acting Mayor Anne Ruwet, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Commissioners Darlene Battle, Angelo LaMonica, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, and Robert Conforti, along with Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Pepler, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, and Traffic Officer Steven Pisarski. Fire Marshal Ed Bascetta and Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa were also present along with Drakeville Fire Chief Mike Maccalous, and representatives from Torringford VFD and Burrville VFD. Commissioner Glenn McLeod was absent.
Mayor Ruwet 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 Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held July 1, 2015.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one present who wished to speak.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to add Section B to the Agenda.
Section B
POLICE UNIFORMS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s & Lt. Venclauskas’ recommendation to award the Police Dept. Uniforms Bid to new England Uniform, LLC of Danbury, CT for an estimated annual amount of $51,453, pending City Council approval.
POLICE PROTECTIVE GEAR
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s & Sgt. Peters’ recommendation to award the Police Dept. Protective Gear Bid to Atlantic Tactical, Inc. of New Cumberland, PA for $13,387.75, funded through the Violent Crime Prevention Grant, pending City Council approval.
POLICE FIREARMS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted to accept the Purchasing Agent’s & Sgt. Peters’ recommendation to award the Police Dept. Firearms Bid by line item as follows, pending City Council approval:
- Aimpoint Optic Pro 12841 to CT Police Supply of Newington, CT for $5,376
- Sig Sauer Carbines & Ultra Scout Light to Interstate Arms Corp. for $5,279.88 after trade-in
End Section B
REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner Zahareki, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Maniago’s Report for June and July 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Report for June and July 2015. Commissioners Conforti and Benedetto questioned Officer Pisarski on the locations of stop signs on Palmer Bridge St., Griswold and Dibble Sts., and the Torrington High School driveway/stop sign. Officer Pisarski said he would observe the High School exit again.
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli's Report for June and July 2015. Chief Brunoli noted that his reports are current through August and, with the exception of the Fire Marshal’s Report, they should be titled as such*.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report for June and July (*August) 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report for June and July (*August) 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Report for June and July (*August) 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Bascetta’s Report for June and July 2015. (July unavailable) Commissioner Benedetto questioned the possibility of debris falling on the sidewalk at the burned-out house on Main St. Fire Marshal Bascetta said he will look at it. Commissioner Battle asked if emergency funding is available to take care of that house. Chief Brunoli said he is not aware of any, and he will look at the house again.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report for June and July 2015.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Drakeville reported that they will have three more interior firefighters after they pass their written exams on September 12th.
Burrville reported that the recently purchased truck has passed the tests required by the city and they are having a car show at RBC on Winsted Rd. on September 13th at 10:00 a.m. He said they are losing one Fire Policeman who is joining the U.S. Marine Corp.
Torringford reported that they have 1 firefighter attending Wolcott Fire School for FF1 certification.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Deputy Chief Smedick reported that police officer candidates were interviewed on August 26th and seven conditional job offers were extended. He said three applicants are entering the academy, leaving the Police Department one short. Deputy Chief Smedick reported the P.A.L. Lobsterfest went very well, and they have a P.A.L. Golf Tournament coming up on September 28th at Torrington Country Club.
Chief Brunoli recognized all the crews who worked two large fires on July 20th and August 16th and thanked the other departments that offered mutual aid. He thanked FF White and Purcell, and Capt. Engle for their evaluation of thermal cameras, and announced a 9-11 ceremony on September 11th at 9:00 a.m. at the North End Station. Chief Brunoli distributed a report on response times from January 2015 through August 2015 and announced an upcoming state emergency preparedness exercise being planned for either October 17th or 21st.
Mr. Rosa said they are trying new cardiac monitors on a trial basis.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner LaMonica commended the Lobsterfest and noted that he prefers that local people be recruited for the police force.
Commissioner Zaharek said he would like to talk to the Police Chief and see if an outreach to the schools or surrounding organizations would help encourage youth to consider these jobs. He said he would also like to discuss the results of Homeland Security’s review of our schools and see a report on it.
Commissioner Benedetto applauded the Fire Department for recruiting local applicants and asked Officer Pisarski to look at the traffic light at Newfield Road and Main Street. He thanked Parking Enforcement Officer Edward Andreski for his years of service and wished him luck in his retirement.
Commissioner Conforti commended the policemen, firemen, volunteers and anyone else involved in all the things that happened in the city in the last couple of months, between the 14-hour standoffs, the three-alarm fire, and all the other numerous fires. He recommended the Lobsterfest and said he will be there next year.
Commissioner Battle also thanked everyone involved in all the things that happened in the city in the last couple of months. She asked if any progress has been made toward the purchase of body cameras.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:15 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MCTC, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
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