MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
NOVEMBER 13, 2002
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, November 13, 2002, in the Council Chambers.
In attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., Commissioners of the Board of Public Safety, Robert C. Zordan, Thomas T. Telman, Jr., James E. Potter, Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, and Christopher H. Cook; Corporation Counsel Al Vasko, Police Chief Roger Janelle, Deputy Police Chief Robert Milano, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Fire Marshal Timothy Taurau, and Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell. Absent were Commissioner Richard L. Zaharek, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Aaron Picz, and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Noad.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 7:55 P.M.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC # 030
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Judith Monk, 49 Water Street, Apt. 16, objected to her grandson’s arrest for larceny, sexual assault/assault, and stealing a bicycle, to her grandson being profiled and being discriminated against while waiting for a bondsman at the Police Department. She noted that her grandson, Daejon Monk, had been living at 245 Whaley Avenue since October. She requested an investigation in the matter by the Torrington Police Department.
Mayor Quinn assured her that Torrington was a great community that didn’t discriminate and the Police Department’s professionalism was next to none and that the matter would be explored.
No one else from the public spoke.
RESIGNATION: DANIEL CHALKER #340
On a motion by Commissioner Telman, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted to accept, with regret, the letter of resignation from Police Officer Daniel Chalker, effective October 13, 2002.
OUTSTANDING OFFICER AWARD #350
Deputy Police Chief Milano presented the Outstanding Officer Award to Police Officer Jennifer Hayes. She was recognized for her attendance, community involvement, willingness to work with her peers, and overall professionalism.
PATROL/SUPPORT SERVICES REPORTS #440
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the Patrol Division and Support Services Report for October 2002.
TRAFFIC UNIT REPORT #450
On a motion by Commissioner Telman, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept the Traffic Unit Report for October 2002.
During discussion, Commissioner Telman inquired about parking ticket collections.
Officer Shopey indicated that the company hired to collect parking ticket fines was not returning his calls. He noted that the State’s Attorney’s Office in Litchfield had agreed to take our applications for people who didn’t pay their parking tickets. Offenders will be served with a summons and will have to appear in court. They have asked the Police Department not to submit any fines below $100.00.
TORRINGFORD WEST STREET #500
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board after a brief discussion, voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s request for permission to change the present “Live Parking” to two hours parking, and install a “No Left Turn” sign on Torringford West Street for northbound traffic at the school driveway with a time restriction from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. In addition, a “No Left Turn” sign would be installed in the school driveway.
FRANKLIN STREET #680
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s following recommendations in regard to Franklin Street:
A. Increase the time for metered parking on Franklin Street from one hour to two hour parking.
B. Allow the installation of signs “No Access to Main Street.”
C. Endorse the request for sidewalk improvements to the north side of Franklin Street with such endorsement being sent to City Council for review.
Commissioner Pucino pointed out that the request came from people in the Reibman building and asked if the proposed changes were acceptable to all the businesses in the area.
Mayor Quinn noted that the new owners of the Italian restaurant had chained the lot that most people thought was Dick’s parking lot. When that occurred, Mayor Quinn was asked to meet with the merchants of Reibman’s and him, in turn, asked Officer Shopey to meet with them and other local business owners to discuss the matter. He thought Officer Shopey had worked out a sensible solution that everyone seemed to be in agreement with.
GRAND OPENING - WARNER THEATER #885
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation for permission to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission for the closure of Main Street from Water Street to Maiden Lane on November 23, 2002 from 4:30 p.m. til midnight for the grand opening of the Warner Theater.
PROSPECT STREET #910
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to convert one parking space within the no parking zone on Prospect Street adjacent to the Trinity Episcopal Church to fifteen-minute loading zone.
PURCHASE POLICE CRUISERS #920
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to waive the bid process and purchase three (3) 2003 police cruisers from Torrington Ford using funds budgeted in the Vehicle Replacement Account and refer it to the City Council.
It was noted that funds were in the vehicle replacement account and the cruisers were part of the plan to be replaced.
Commissioner Potter was in favor of doing business with local merchants, but inquired whether they had to stay with Fords, now that Chevy’s had come out with a cruiser. He also inquired whether the state bid would be less costly.
Chief Janelle pointed out that the department had used other products in the past but wasn’t as satisfied as they were with Ford.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #990
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s report for October 2002.
DEPUTY CHIEF’S REPORT #1000
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s report for October 2002.
A concern over the time line for repairing Engine #2 was noted.
FIRE MARSHAL & TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #1040
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal and Training Officer’s report for October 2002.
INCIDENT REPORT #1060
On a motion by Commissioner Telman, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for October 2002.
FIRE HEADQUARTERS ROOF BID #1080
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Telman, the board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the Fire Headquarters Roof Replacement Bid to the low bidder, Diamond Inc., of Waterbury, Ct. and referred it to the City Council.
TURN OUT GEAR #1090
On a motion by Commissioner Telman, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, a discussion took place on the Purchasing Agent’s recommendation to award the bid on the Five Year Lease and Maintenance of 60 Sets + 10% of Firefighter Turnout Gear to the low bidder, Firematic Supply of Rocky Hill, Ct. for $25,070.52 per year or $80,234.60 over the five-year period.
(Minutes verbatim.)
Commissioner Telman: “Can you explain to me how it’s $25,000.00 per year for five years, but it’s only $80,000.00?”
Deputy Chief Giampaolo: “The $25,000.00 is based on 60 sets that cost maintenance and cleaning of the 60 sets of gear. That’s a per unit price for 60 sets, and then what you figure in on the other side of it is the amortization and the leasing portion of it. If you multiply the total price per gear at 60 sets plus one year of cleaning, that’s what you get with the $25,000.00.”
Commissioner Telman: “How does it come to $80,000.00 for a total? They have a total for five years for $80.000.00?”
Commissioner Potter: “For cleaning and maintenance for the rest, the other four years.”
Commissioner Pucino: “I think what Tom is trying to say is $25,000.00 times five doesn’t equal $80,000.00.”
Commissioner Telman: “You’re saying it’s $25,000.00 a year; five times $25,000.00 is $125,000.00. How do we get to $80,000.00?”
Commissioner Pucino: “Do we get a discount for taking the five-year plan?”
Chief Field: “If you were to pay a one time cost of $80,000.00 for five years, you’d get your 60 sets of gear and you’d get them cleaned for the first year, that’s it. What’s happening here with this five-year program is they’re giving you a base price for the year of $25,000.00, whatever it is in change, and that’s for every year, you’re guaranteed 60 sets of usable gear, you’re getting them cleaned twice a year, you’re getting them repaired, you’re getting everything and plus, you’re paying, of course, a cost to lease-purchase them, over a five-year period for $25,000.00 a year.”
Commissioner Telman: “Okay, I just didn’t understand how that . . . (sentence unfinished . . . ) they didn’t really spell that out . . . what it basically came down to, I guess.”
Chief Field: “Right. It was confusing for us too, when we first saw it, to try to figure it out.”
Commissioner Zordan: “What’s the useful life on a set of gear?”
Chief Field: “It’s three to five years, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation. During the budgetary process this year, I brought this program forward and we we’re looking at three years, we pushed it off to four. The manufacturer is telling us five is a good time limit here and this program works right into it. What’s neat about this program is we get 60 brand-new sets of gear for all our firefighters, they’re cleaned twice a year, they’re repaired, they’re logged, it’s all recorded, everything is taken care of. We don’t have to worry about gear for five years.”
Commissioner Telman: “So, basically, if we paid, I’m sure it will go up over years, but for the time being, $25,000.00 from now til eternity, unless it goes up for the next contract whatever, we get 60 sets of gear . . . (unfinished.)”
Chief Field: “Our gear is set for the guys.”
Commissioner Telman: “What are paying for gear now? What are we budgeting?”
Chief Field: “We’re budgeted, right now, for all the gear costs I budgeted, that line item, I budgeted $31,000.00. Out of that $31,000.00, I probably budgeted between $20-$25,000.00 anyway, so it’s right there.”
Commissioner Potter: “What budget line is it?”
Chief Field: “That’s line item 5229. Right now, it stands at, we have $29,000.00.”
Commissioner Potter: “And above and beyond, out of that $25,000.00, does that include cleaning and what not now, out of that line item?”
Deputy Chief Giampaolo: “Yes, that’s twice a year. Presently, we barely get to 25% of the gear once a year, so it’s a total program that we’re . . . (unfinished).”
Commissioner Potter: “Does that also include replacing ruined gear at no additional cost?”
Deputy Chief Giampaolo: “No, not ruined gear. Not gear that we ruined.”
Commissioner Potter: “In other words, if Kevin Hayes gets . . . burned up again, it’s not going to replace his gear for nothing?”
Deputy Chief Giampaolo: “It will repair gear, but if gear is destroyed . . . (unfinished.)”
Chief Field: “If the gear is destroyed, it probably will not be replaced, but if it’s damaged, this includes repairs and stuff for that gear.”
Commissioner Telman: “It’s built into that price?”
Chief Field: “Yes, it’s all built into that price.”
Commissioner Telman: “It sounds like a good program.”
Commissioner Potter: “I don’t know if it’s such a good maintenance program if it doesn’t include the replacement of damaged gear.”
Mayor Quinn: “But you get 60 off the shelf.”
Chief Field: “We get 60 brand-new gear.”
Deputy Chief Giampaolo: “Nobody is going to replace gear that’s destroyed. If it needs to be repaired, they’ll repair it for us and the cost of repairing gear is astronomical. It’s a menu of two inch scotch (lite?) it’s going to cost you $30.00 to have this done, anything that has to do with protecting a person’s body is extremely expensive to have done, so all these repairs are included for five years.”
Commissioner Telman: “So, let me understand, so, basically, we can either pay $25,000.00 a year, which gives us two cleanings a year, repairs and everything, or the $80,000.00, which we get 60 sets and we get one cleaning.”
Chief Field: “And we have to pay for the other cleaning.”
Commissioner Pucino: “Repairing is basically replacing in a sense. Not replacing them brand-new but they are going to replace it to the point of fixing it to be usable.”
Commissioner Telman: “To replace a panel or something. I mean, they’re still going to have to pass a test that it’s still usable for the individual.”
Deputy Chief Giampaolo: “So, it’s like leasing a car or buying a car.”
Chief Field: “Actually, they’re guaranteeing us 60 sets of usable gear. That’s what it is, and they’re doing the maintenance, they’re doing all the record keeping. Each one of them will have a bar code and it gets read for any of the OSHA compliant stuff, we’ll have all records on every set of gear we have.”
Commissioner Telman: “So, do they give you 60 brand-new sets to start?”
Deputy Chief Giampaolo: “Yes.”
Commissioner Telman: “How can you go wrong?”
Mayor Quinn: “Mr. Potter has put out the white flag. All those in favor?”
The board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
FIRST RESPONDER SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION #1330
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to discuss the First Responder Supplemental application. (Tabled 8/14/02 & 10/9/02.)
Chief Field distributed the Fire Department’s current policy on medical service and noted that it was the policy they would like to continue using.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that Commissioner Potter had concerns that he felt should be discussed with Union Personnel. Mayor Quinn personally didn’t want to push the item until those concerns were addressed.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Telman, the board voted unanimously to table the First Responder Supplemental application.
DRAFT: DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT POLICY #1440
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to discuss the draft on the Discrimination and Harassment Policy for the Fire Department.
On the recommendation from Personnel, Chief Field brought this document to the board for their review, comments, and suggestions. He noted that Atty. Vasko had several particular issues he wanted to discuss with personnel.
Chief Field indicated that the policy was drafted to clean up loose ends and to reinforce the city wide policy on discrimination and harassment.
On a motion by Commissioner Telman, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to table the draft of the Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROGRAM #1500
On a motion by Commissioner Telman, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to discuss the draft on the Performance Evaluation Program for the Fire Department.
Chief Field indicated that the draft was brought forward for the board’s comments and suggestions prior to the program being initiated in his department.
Commissioner Potter wanted to make certain that it was reviewed and approved by Personnel.
No vote was taken.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS #1550
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Chief Janelle informed the board that his department received a reimbursement of slightly more than $30,000.00 from the State of Connecticut for overtime in the DUI and Seatbelt Enforcement Programs. He hoped the board would keep in mind that these funds would go into the general fund.
Chief Field informed the board that he was still awaiting word on the FEMA grant. He also stated that, although he hadn’t received the official word, he had been notified that Torrington received a grant for 33 AED’s (Automatic External Defibrillators) for all city buildings.
Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell indicated that his department would be selling Christmas trees and wreaths beginning December 2.
Chief Cornell inquired whether the volunteers could be included in leasing gear.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that he was sure they could work something out.
Chief Cornell stated that they were already in their budget making process and inquired whether there was anything they should be aware of.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS OF THE BOARD #1890
Business was presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Pucino stated that she had received several complaints of people speeding on Prospect Street.
Officer Shopey indicated that he had already reviewed similar complaints in the past and assured the board that Prospect Street was properly posted for a school in both directions. He would furnish the board with a report from its last review.
Commissioner Pucino inquired about the building maintenance being done at the firehouse which had created so much comp. time.
Chief Field indicated that they were painting and enclosing the self contained breathing apparatus room.
Commissioner Potter said it seemed like the Fire Department was the only department in the entire city that didn’t have a concrete replacement plan in place. He requested permission from the board to sit down with Commissioner Pucino and Chief Field to come up with a program they could present to the board, which could be passed on to City Council for their approval.
Mayor Quinn said he thought the Chief had his marching orders in regard to the replacement program and it was his belief that the Chief was waiting to present him with that plan.
Chief Field noted that he had already forwarded it to Mayor Quinn.
Mayor Quinn indicated that he would meet with those two Commissioners and discuss the plan. He noted that a committee was put together made up of members of the Board of Public Safety, City Council, Board of Finance, as well as other people.
Mayor Quinn reported handwritten speed limit signs on Newfield Road.
ADJOURNMENT #2180
On a motion by Commissioner Telman, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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