MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
AUGUST 19, 2003
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety, adjourned from Wednesday, August 13, 2003, was held on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., Commissioners of the Board of Public Safety Richard L. Zaharek, 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, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell, Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, and the City Labor Counsel, Victor Muschell.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M.
MINUTES #030
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held July 9, 2003.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #040
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Michael Groves, 66 Funston Avenue, stated that he and his neighbors were there to inform the board that Funston Avenue had turned into a speedway even after numerous complaints had been filed with the Police Department.
He felt there was a problem with administration and/or communication and wanted something done. He reported that his children were playing in his driveway moments before an Oldsmobile Cutlass raced down Funston, hit a Ford Explorer and was sent flying sixty feet into the air turning 360 degrees before dropping down and totaling an Audi parked across the street. Mr. Groves and his neighbors didn’t feel safe on their own property and needed help from the Police Department. He suggested installing a three-way stop sign at French Street and Funston Ave, a three-way stop sign at Oregon St. and Funston Ave, and a four-way stop sign at Iowa St. and Funston Ave. He further reported that he and his neighbors were in the process of starting a Crime Watch Program.
Mayor Quinn stated that Chief Janelle and Deputy Chief Milano would look into the communications aspect of the matter. Secondly, they would install a speed sign to track the speed of vehicles going along Funston Avenue, and a radar patrol would be established to fine speeders. He applauded the neighbors’ efforts to begin a Crime Watch Program in their area. He referred the stop sign issue to Officer Shopey.
Commissioner Telman recommended having Chief Janelle and Deputy Chief Milano meet with Officer Shopey and the neighbors to brainstorm the matter and present recommendations to the full board during next month’s meeting.
Officer Shopey indicated that stop signs are installed to assign the right-of-way to specific roadways for the purpose of traffic and strictly prohibited under the federal mandates from being installed for purposes of speed enforcement. A high concentration of traffic would allow for a traffic signal.
Ann Marie Roy, 154 Funston Avenue, stated that several other serious accidents had occurred in the past from speeding drivers and that the traffic needed to be slowed down.
Douglas Hill, 68 Funston Avenue, said he and his family were lucky they had their seat belts buckled when their Ford Explorer was sent flying through the air last week. He stated that parents shouldn’t have to worry about their children playing in their front yard.Chief Janelle said the matter was his responsibility and it would be rectified shortly. Meetings would take place with Officer Shopey and shift commanders, and he would also meet with Mr. Groves and his neighbors. Chief Janelle would report back to the board next month.
Commissioner Telman indicated that people had the same complaint about speeders no matter what street they lived on in Torrington. People don’t follow the speed limits, they don’t drive how they should, and they are not courteous like they should be. It’s an epidemic, not only on Funston Avenue, but every street in town, and the Police Department was hard pressed to patrol the entire city.
Stacy Hill reported that she watched the speed monitor trailer the day after the accident, and that the speeds detected were anywhere from 30 to 55MPH. She didn’t feel the trailer would encourage drivers to slow down.
Commissioner Telman indicated that the trailer would furnish the Police Department with important information.
Chief Janelle stated that, although they had not yet analyzed all the information derived from the trailer, it had recorded over 5,000 cars in two days’ time. He assured the residents that the Police Department would increase their activity on Funston Avenue.
Rose Rinaldi, 78 Funston Avenue, reported seeing motorcycles, as well as cars, racing side by side on Funston Avenue. It was her belief that 5,000 cars in two days constituted a traffic problem.
OUTSTANDING OFFICER AWARD #850
Chief Janelle said it was his honor and privilege to award Officer Steven Pisarski with the Torrington Police Department’s Outstanding Officer Award. Officer Pisarski had distinguished himself in exemplary police performance in numerous areas. He was recognized two years consecutively by MAD as being one of the leading law enforcement officers in Litchfield County for DUI Enforcement, and had volunteered numerous hours to assist the Police Explorers. He was truly a credit to the Torrington Police Department.
APPOINTMENT: PERMANENT FIREFIGHTER #940
On a motion by Commissioner Telman, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s recommendation to appoint Fire Fighter Thomas Sterling to permanent firefighter status for the Torrington Fire Department.
SUPPORT SERVICES REPORT #980
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the Support Services Reports for June and July 2003.
RESIGNATION: OFFICER MICHAEL DENZA #1010
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept the formal resignation of Officer Michael Denza, effective August 23, 2003.
TRAFFIC UNIT REPORT #1025
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept the Traffic Unit Report for June and July 2003.
DOWNTOWN MERCHANT STREET BAZAAR #1060
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s request for permission to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street between Water Street and Mason Street on the following dates for the Downtown Merchants Street Bazaar:
Sunday, August 17, 2003 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 21, 2003 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 19, 2003 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
DARE CAR SHOW #1090
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, a discussion took place in regard to Officer Shopey’s request for permission to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street from Pearl Street to Water Street on Friday, September 19, 2003 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the annual DARE Car Show, with a rain date of Sunday, September 21.
Officer Shopey withdrew this item from the agenda due to a conflict of events.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #1120
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s report for July 2003.
DEPUTY CHIEF’S REPORT #1130
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s report for July 2003.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo reported that Engines 1 & 3 had slight corrosion problems in the door hinges and rust was appearing on the piano hinges of the vertical doors. He furnished the manufacturer with pictures of the corrosion along with a description and was staying on top of the matter.
FIRE MARSHAL & TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #1180
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s and Training Officer’s report for July 2003.
INCIDENT REPORT #1200
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for July 2003.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1210
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Chief Janelle reported receiving approximately 120 applications for police officer. They were proceeding with the process and hoped to have someone ready by mid December. The department had one person at the academy scheduled to graduate in the near future.
Chief Field reported that the Annual Boot Drive was scheduled for August 28, with a rain date of August 29.
Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell reported sponsoring the most successful car show to date, displaying approximately 300 cars and estimating 2,000 to 3,000 spectators. He thanked the Police Department for their assistance.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1350
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Zordan stated that former Commissioner Richard McLeod, Chairman of the Parking Ticket Appeals Committee, has inquired whether the handicap parking space in front of the Salvation Army could be switched with the loading zone at the bottom of Water Street.
Officer Shopey indicated that he had already spoken with the DOT to make the switch but it wouldn’t occur due to the present ADA standards that would require a sidewalk cut and meet certain sizes.
Officer Shopey explained that a handicapped person can park in any metered parking space, and by law is not required to put any money in the meter and can remain in the space for as long as he wants. He acknowledged that there should be a loading zone in front of the Salvation Army because the handicap space is abused daily by people who unload items to the Salvation Army. Those who don’t use the handicap space park in the travel lane to unload and block drivers wanting to take a right on Water Street. He was still working with the DOT on the matter and would submit drawings on proposed changes to this board.
Commissioner Pucino inquired about the Kaizan method that Board of Finance member Roger Dickinson was discussing with Chief Field and Deputy Chief Giampaolo.
Chief Field explained that Kaizan was a method of being more financially efficient. Chief Field stated that the discussions were quite positive and invited the board to attend any of their meetings, which usually are held at 10:00 a.m. every other Tuesday.
Commissioner Potter said the board had suggested that perhaps Mr. Dickinson could make a presentation on Kaizan during one of their Board of Public Safety meetings.
Chief Field indicated that he would relay the message to Mr. Dickinson.
Commissioner Potter inquired whether Mr. Dickinson was acting as an official member of the Board of Finance or as a concerned citizen who might have better ideas for the Fire Department.
Mayor Quinn indicated that Mr. Dickinson was acting as a Board of Finance member who had personally seen the practical application of Kaizan, and working through the Chief and Deputy Chief, those responsible for all the data gathering as well as the end product, was a very positive thing. It was merely a process that helped them do some lean thinking and had nothing to do with rewriting policy and/or procedure. It was an informal manufacturing type of assessment, whereby the leaders of the department could review their equipment, manpower, etc. In no way did it try to usurp power, but rather empower the Chief and Deputy in a new way of management.
Chief Field reported that it was a two-way educational process whereby Mr. Dickinson was educating them on the Kaizan method and they were educating him on their process.
Commissioner Potter reiterated his suggestion for Mr. Dickinson to come before this board to explain his intent because the Police and Fire Departments were the responsibility of the Board of Public Safety.
Chief Field indicated that he would make Commissioner Potter’s request known to Mr. Dickinson.
Commissioner Telman indicated that several people had expressed their concern over the anticipated increase in traffic on Mortimer Street due to the City Council’s recent vote to close a portion of Arthur Street. He asked for a recommendation from Officer Shopey.
Secondly, Commissioner Telman indicated that people have expressed their concern over the poor site line for pedestrians on the south side of Charles St. at the Knollwood intersection.
Officer Shopey indicated that he has spoken to Engineering about this in the past and would do so again.
Thirdly, Commissioner Telman voiced his concern, as a business owner, that the position of parking attendant had been vacant since April.
Mayor Quinn said he would talk to the Chairman of the Parking Authority.
Lastly, Commissioner Telman requested the status of the bid for the rescue truck.
Chief Field indicated that he has the quote information in hand and was preparing a financial evaluation of the whole process to bring forth to the City Council and the Board of Finance as he had been instructed to do. The process included justifying the purchase and utilizing the process of there being a new vehicle that needed to be purchased for the department.
Commissioner Telman inquired how long it would take.
Chief Field indicated that it would be soon.
Commissioner Telman inquired about what they have received for prices.
Chief Field indicated that the quotes from six vendors ranged from $178,000.00 to $250,000.00. Several vendors included ranges because the specifications were very generic.
Commissioner Telman asked if they had a vehicle specification.
Chief Field indicated that they have specs, however, the chassis was generic.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that they have a detailed spec that could have been bid on or quoted on, but it was abbreviated. They had no input on what was sent to the vendors.
Chief Field indicated that two of the vendors submitted quotes on demo units. The numbers were merely ball park figures on what the price would be but it’s not set in stone.
Commissioner Telman stated that he was at a loss as far as they as a board were supposed to be doing. They voted on a vehicle replacement plan, which from his understanding, still had not been brought forth to the City Council. Technically, Corp. Counsel Vasko was supposed to have furnished them with a ruling as to whether or not the City Council had anything to do with it in the first place, and he wasn’t certain that had taken place.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated that the Council had asked for an opinion during a prior meeting and he had an oral opinion ready for them. He stated that the vehicle replacement plan had to go before the City Council and the Board of Finance because the rescue vehicle was not part of the original plan. In order to purchase the vehicle with the monies in the vehicle replacement plan, they would need to transfer funds from the pumpers and other line items to the rescue vehicle. The City Council and the Board of Finance are involved in the process because they have control over the financial aspects of purchasing the vehicle. Once the vehicle is purchased, the Board of Safety has the ability to determine how it’s going to be used by the Fire Departments.
Commissioner Telman asked when the vehicle replacement plan would be brought before the City Council to move to the next step.
Corp. Counsel Vasko explained that the Council had asked him whether they would need to vote on the plan. His answer was yes, but it hadn’t been brought up again so he imagined it would be done during their next meeting. It would then be brought to the Board of Finance.
Commissioner Potter stated that technically one type of vehicle would be eliminated for another type. The Board of Finance would only approve the dollar amount and not the plan, per se.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated that they would be transferring money from the line items that are already in the account to a new line item for the rescue vehicle. The City Council and the Board of Finance need to approve all transfers within the budget so the matter needs to go before both boards.
Commissioner Telman indicated that this board was at the mercy of the City Council and the Board of Finance if and when the matter ever went before them.
Mayor Quinn stated that the Board of Safety couldn’t be given authority that they didn’t have. He explained that there was no rescue vehicle in the vehicle replacement plan.
Commissioner Telman said “O.K., we’ll somewhat agree on that.”
Mayor Quinn continued to explain. Since there was no rescue vehicle in the vehicle replacement plan, it couldn’t be grand fathered in and automatically replaced. It had to be treated like a new vehicle. The Chief is treating it like a new vehicle. The Chief had furnished the Mayor with a rationale for that. The Board of Safety was already on board by approving the vehicle replacement plan a month ago whereby Chief Field submitted his recommendations. The next step was for the plan to go before the City Council and the Board of Finance. If there was no funding for that.....(sentence unfinished.)
Commissioner Telman interrupted and said, “In a technicality, yes, you’re right, if you’re saying on a line item. The flip side to that is, we’ve budgeted $185,000.00 and then $145,000.00 and $145,000.00 to the tune of $480,000.00 or thereabouts. Not necessarily, people say that isn’t directly maybe for the Fire Department, but we’ll say for argument sake that it is. We we’re going to buy seven new pumpers between now and according to the old plan, so technically this year we should have ordered a new pumper back in July of 2002. I understand you’re transferring the money from one and getting all the approvals and that’s great. It’s nice if it was explained to us, and we’ve been asking and asking and asking.
It’s nice to be able to sit down and it’s almost refreshing to finally get a straight answer on this.”
Mayor Quinn indicated that it took a lot of research to find the answers.
Commissioner Telman indicated that the bottom line was, that there may not be any funding in a line item, but there is funding in the vehicle replacement account if they are not going to buy pumpers.
Mayor Quinn said “The only funding that was increased in the year 2001, in all the research that I’ve had multiple department heads do for me, is that, in the year 2001, there was money that was put aside for rotation equipment to the volunteer departments. That was the money that was set aside, was money to go to the volunteer fire departments on a rotation plan and no rotation plan, the $15,000.00....(sentence unfinished).”
Commissioner Telman indicated that the $15,000.00 was something separate. He was talking about the vehicle replacement account.
Mayor Quinn continued, “And that is to pay, I believe you have a pumper coming due in 2005, you have a ladder truck replacement in 2011, which will be a $2 million item.”
Commissioner Telman said that was the new plan, but up until last month they had been funding the old plan. He was under the assumption that they were still operating with the old vehicle replacement plan which showed seven or nine pumpers.
Corp. Counsel Vasko indicated that they were allocating money every year to the Fire Department based on the old plan.
Commissioner Telman indicated that they may have over funded or underfunded, however that was a discussion for another night.
Corp. Counsel Vasko stated that, essentially the Fire Department had requested and this board had approved a rescue vehicle.
Commissioner Telman: “But eliminating many, many pumpers.” If they were going to buy seven new pumpers they would need to start funding money to buy seven, but they weren’t. His point was that they were funding for seven pumpers, they downgraded to two pumpers, and that created a chunk of money to fund “a” vehicle, whether it’s a pumper or a rescue. Although the money may be unfunded in a technical sense in a particular line item, there is money available and it’s not like having to use $250,000.00 from contingency.
Mayor Quinn noted that the Comptroller and Treasurer stated that the city will fall short in funding the pumpers and ladder truck by 2011 if money is drawn for the rescue vehicle. That may change if they alter the plan. The Board of Safety can’t proceed with the rescue truck without going through proper procedures. They were already on board with the procedure. It then goes to the City Council. Any change in plan to free the funds has to be approved by the Board of Finance.
Commissioner Potter pointed out that the Comptroller and the Treasurer weren’t recognizing the fact that they didn’t buy the pumper that was supposed to be delivered this year. He said “My big concern is that the new plan, recommended by Chief Field, does get forwarded to the City Council because his recommendation was that some funding be submitted to be approved to help the volunteers with their vehicle replacement policy, above and beyond that $15,000.00 annually.”
Mayor Quinn said that would have to be ferreted out and that was a budget issue.
Commissioner Potter stated that it was the Council’s decision to add additional funding for the volunteers, but the Board of Safety supported the Chief’s recommendation in a vote during last month’s meeting.
Once again, Commissioner Telman asked for a ball park time frame.
Mayor Quinn said “Well, he’s got to continue with his process. When he delivers it, we can go to the City Council with that. He’s going to have to do his utilization, he’s going to have to do all that. When he comes forward with that plan it will go to the City Council because you’ve already approved it. After the City Council it will go to the Board of Finance for the funding.”
Chief Field assured the board that it would be on the agenda for the next meeting.
Mayor Quinn thought Chief Field should give himself more time in order to avoid the possibility of having an incomplete project.
Chief Field said he knew they needed one rescue now and he thought they should push forward with it. He then stated that it would be on the October agenda if not sooner.
Commissioner Potter asked the City Clerk to invite this board to City Council and Board of Finance meetings where this matter would be discussed because the Board of Safety voted on both plans, the past and the present, and they felt they should be present to answer any questions brought forth.
Commissioner Potter inquired about the need for Council approval to hire a police officer, since it was his impression that the Police & Fire Departments were an exception to the hiring freeze.
Personnel Director Tom Gritt said it was pretty clear to him that he needed to get City Council approval. The reason given was that the Council wanted to make certain the funds were in place.
Secondly, Commissioner Potter inquired as to why the Fire Department had been responding to a number of animal calls instead of referring them to our Animal Control Officer.
Chief Field indicated that they respond to the public’s calls for service if they can handle the matter. If not, the call is referred to the proper agency. If an officer arrives on scene and decides that it’s the animal control officer’s duty to handle the matter, he will be summoned.
Commissioner Potter thought it should be policy to automatically turn an animal call to the Police Department to have the animal control officer respond.
Commissioner Telman believed this may be an area that needs refining.
Chief Field indicated that they were looking at the whole process, including the calls they respond to, evaluating every incident they respond to, etc.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that they triage calls and didn’t chase bats when they had a fire and/or accident to tend to. He felt it was their job to respond to citizens’ needs if they were available to respond. Usually the calls are after hours from frantic people in distress. The deputy saw it as great public relations with the citizens of the city. If this board officially votes to discontinue the policy to respond to animal calls, then that’s what they will do, however, that hasn’t been the case to date.
Commissioner Zordan understood both sides, but personally didn’t see a problem with responding to animal calls if it wasn’t going to interfere with their responses to fires and/or motor vehicle accidents.
Mayor Quinn pointed out that animal calls was a minor part of the total evaluation they were performing on all functions performed by the Fire Department, from fire calls to Good Samaritan calls, and they’ll come back with a recommendation in the future.
Chief Field indicated that the bottom line was customer service. The Fire Department was there to provide a service to the citizens of this city as much as they possibly could, and if they are available when a call comes in for help they should be able to respond.
Commissioner Zaharek inquired how many men would be dispatched to an animal call.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that the entire engine company of four men and one truck is sent. The reason for not breaking up a company is so they can respond directly from one call to another.
Commissioner Potter inquired about the status of civilian dispatching.
Chief Field indicated that he hadn’t had time to work on it lately.
Commissioner Potter thought civilian dispatching would take care of a lot of these types of problems where they could be critiqued before they are passed on to the proper agency. He would like to this move forward.
Chief Field agreed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION #2960
Corp. Counsel Vasko requested adding a Pending Litigation to the executive session.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Telman, the board voted unanimously to go into executive session, at 7:50 p.m., under Personnel, Promotional: Fire Department, and Pending Litigation. Personnel Director Thomas Gritt, City Labor Counsel Victor Muschell, Chief Field and Deputy Chief Giampaolo were invited to attend.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Attorney Victor Muschell and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt left executive session at 8:15 p.m.
Fire Chief John Field and Deputy Chief Jaye Giampaolo left executive session at 9:13 p.m.
On a motion by James Potter, seconded by Thomas Telman, the board voted to go into open session at 9:20 p.m.
On a motion by Robert Zordan, seconded by James Potter, it was moved that Timothy Schapp shall be removed from his position of Lieutenant in the Fire Department and shall be placed in the position of Step 1 Firefighter effective August 24, 2003 at 12:00 p.m.
On a motion by Thomas Telman, seconded by Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, the board moved to appoint Rick Meyer to the position of Lieutenant in the Fire Department effective August 24, 2003 at 12:00 p.m.
Commissioner Robert Zordan was opposed to the motion and Commissioner James Potter abstained.
On a motion by Thomas Telman, seconded by James Potter, the board adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Albert G. Vasko
Acting Recording Secretary
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