MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
October 7, 2015
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, October 7, 2015.
Those in attendance included Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Commissioners Darlene Battle, Angelo LaMonica, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, Glenn McLeod and Robert Conforti, along with Police Chief Michael Maniago, 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.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chief Maniago presented the Outstanding Officer award for July 2015 to Officer Brandon Kelly.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held September 2, 2015. Commissioner McLeod abstained.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
William Battle requested the Board obtain city crime statistics to prove how safe our streets are and to aid in city marketing efforts.
POLICE OFFICER: J. Foley
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Officer James Foley as a regular member of the Police Dept. after completing his probationary period through one year after graduation from the Academy on Sept. 17, 2014.
FIRE DEPT. APPTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to approve the permanent appointment of Capt. David Casper, Lt. Michael Brown, Lt. Robert Shopey, III, Capt. Kevin Engle, and Fire Marshal Edward Bascetta who have completed their six-month probationary period.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to add section “B” to the agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under both Personnel and Security at 6:39 p.m., inviting Atty. Rigat, Chief Maniago, Deputy Chief Smedick and Lt. Barown.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:14 p.m.
PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER: M. Welintukonis
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to hire Mark Welintukonis as a Probationary Police Officer with an effective date at the discretion of the Chief.
POLICE DEPT. HVAC
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the TPD Data Closet Cooling System Upgrade project to Pelletier Mechanical Services, LLC of Thomaston, CT in the amount of $12,558, pre-approved by City Council on Oct. 5, 2015. Chief Maniago explained that Pelletier Mechanical was recommended by the consultant.
TABLED: Burrville VFD
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board considered a recommendation from Corporation Counsel to withhold further funding from Burrville Volunteer Fire Department in light of the unauthorized purchase of a fire truck.
Atty. Rigat explained that the City Charter allows the Council to make an annual appropriation to the three volunteer fire departments and determine what the appropriation is to be used for. He said the FY15/16 appropriation was $128,000 to be distributed to the three volunteer services pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding that the City has with all three volunteer departments, which states that apparatus shall not be purchased without the approval of the Fire Chief and Board of Public Safety. Atty. Rigat noted that private organizations and individuals in Connecticut do not have an independent right to fight fires publicly, being municipal powers vested in the City under its Charter. He said the Board has the option, based on this conduct, to decide not to provide further funding to Burrville VFD for the
remainder of the year because effective firefighting requires the Fire Chief of the regular fire service to maintain effective command and control over all fire scenes. Atty. Rigat pointed out that the unauthorized purchase of a fire engine without prior input compromises the Chief’s ability to maintain control and is not something that should be tolerated. He said this opinion is based on a review of State Statutes, City Charter and the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the three volunteer departments.
Commissioner McLeod asked what would be accomplished by withholding funds, other than proving a point. Chief Brunoli pointed out that discussions were held disapproving the truck purchase, which the department disregarded. He said he was charged by this Board to maintain control over the volunteer departments and noted that along with the stipend, there are other monies allotted to the department such as equipment, physicals, fuel for apparatus and the firehouse, workers’ compensation and tax abatement. Chief Brunoli stated that his biggest complaint is that the volunteer departments are making 32% of their calls, citywide. The lack of response puts a greater liability on the city, he said, and the city should not continue to fund something that is not working. Chief Brunoli added that the problem is
nationwide, with firefighting not being the same as it was 30 years ago.
Commissioner Benedetto said the punishment should go to the individual who went out on his own, not the whole department. Chief Brunoli replied that suspending Capt. Noad would leave two black helmets, and noted that last month the Burrville VFD responded to one out of eighteen calls. Mayor Carbone reminded the Board that the recommendation is not to close Burrville, but to withhold funding for one year.
Commissioner Benedetto asked why Burrville is not responding to calls and Capt. Noad explained that the average time on-scene for their calls is five to ten minutes. However, when the city arrives before them and clears the scene in five minutes, they do not respond, because there is no need, he said.
The Burrville VFD president said they approved the purchase after-the-fact and asked what good a fire department is without a fire truck. He noted that the Chief and Deputy Chief should attend their meetings and objected to the way volunteers are treated. Mayor Carbone reminded the Board that she is looking for feedback regarding the $12,000 stipend.
Chief Brunoli expressed his desire to have all three volunteer departments join together to form one service. It just doesn’t happen, he said. Chief Brunoli noted that there are three separate corporations, three separate businesses, that are subcontracted to provide service with three separate sets of bylaws. He said he was put in charge of that without any control.
Commissioner Conforti stated that there is a process to be followed. He said he reviewed his records and found that nothing has changed since 2012. He said he agrees that withholding funding isn’t a stern enough punishment but he does not want to see Burrville VFD fold.
Commissioner Battle asked if funding could be cut in half. Atty. Rigat indicated that it could. Capt. Noad said they could only last one more year.
Commissioner McLeod noted that when Burrville had a truck in the past, they did not have personnel to use it. He said he is concerned that they purchased a truck without having anyone to use it. He said the truck should not have been purchased while the City’s budget is tight and he doesn’t feel that withholding $12,000 funding is harsh enough.
Commissioner LaMonica noted that there is a protocol to follow, and no one is immune to following rules and answering to someone. He noted that the whole Board is volunteering for the city, and a lot of hours are spent every month.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that it is a difficult decision to cut funding to volunteers who are not paid. He asked how many active members Burrville has and was told they have five fire police and seven firefighters. Mayor Carbone said this is a valuable conversation but funding and response times will be reviewed by the budget subcommittee.
Commissioner Benedetto moved to table, pending further information on how the withholding of funds will affect the department, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, and unanimously approved.
End Section B
REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Brunoli's Report received Sept. 30, 2015. Chief Brunoli described his trip to AZ and his research into an Incident Command training program.
On a motion by Commissioner McLeod, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Pepler's Report received Sept. 30, 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Tripp's Report received Sept. 30, 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to accept Emergency Management Report received Sept. 30, 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Bascetta’s Report received Sept. 30, 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Police Chief Maniago’s Report received Sept. 30, 2015. Chief Maniago explained that the best means to collect unpaid parking ticket fines is through the Motor Vehicle Department. Officer Pisarski said that having a full-time Parking Enforcement Officer will be a benefit.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski's Traffic Operations Unit Report received Sept. 16, 2015. Officer Pisarski reported that the stop sign at the High School is working very well.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept EMS Provider Activity Report received Sept. 2, 2015.
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase of LED bulbs for the Fire Dept. from Connole’s Electric, LLC, of Torrington, for $14,019.68 from Capital Acct 103N. Chief Brunoli said his electricity costs have been reduced.
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to approve purchase of battery, capacitor and fan replacement for two UPS systems in the Fire Dept. Headquarters Communications Room from sole source Emerson Network Power, Liebert Services of Chicago, IL for $15,588.94 from Capital Acct. 103G.
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 reported that they won best brush truck in the State Convention.
Torringford reported that they have one member in FF1 and one in FF2.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Conforti, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago reported they have two recruits that started in the Academy on Oct. 2nd, two more to start on Oct. 23rd and they have extended a conditional job offer to a certified Police Officer. He thanked everyone who put on the P.A.L. golf tournament.
Chief Brunoli reported that the union collected a little over $16,000 in their drive for MDA.
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 Benedetto congratulated Officer Kelly and thanked those that donated to his charity bicycle ride.
Commissioner Conforti also congratulated Officer Kelly and thanked Bill Battle for his comments about the City. He congratulated Drakeville for their award and asked the volunteer firefighters to follow protocol.
Commissioner McLeod also congratulated Officer Kelly, commended the P.A.L. golf tournament, and thanked Chief Brunoli for the tour of Truck One that he received from Capt. Engle and his crew.
Commissioner Battle asked if any progress has been made toward the purchase of body cameras. Chief Maniago said that the federal grant has been administered to the large agencies, that he has not heard anything more about the smaller departments’ grant, and that the Governor has signed a bill requiring the body cameras for Police Officers in Connecticut.
Mayor Carbone commended both Departments on the work that they do, particularly in developing the school security plans. She noted that the Board of Public Safety did review the safety protocol as presented by Lt. Barown.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Conforti, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:18 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MCTC, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
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