MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
MARCH 10, 2004
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, March 10, 2004, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., members of the Board of Public Safety, Douglas J. Benedetto, Christopher H. Cook, Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, and Michael Colangelo, Corporation Counsel Al Vasko, Police Chief Roger Janelle, Deputy Police Chief Robert Milano, Fire Chief John Field, and Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell. Absent were Commissioners Richard L. Zaharek and Thomas T. Telman, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Aaron Picz, and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Noad.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m., following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Police & Firemen’s Pension Fund.
MINUTES #170
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board, with the exception of Commissioners Benedetto and Pucino who abstained, voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held February 11, 2004.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #180
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted to open the meeting to the public.
Reverend Bradford Harmon, 52 Summer Street, expressed his concern over the inability to walk the streets of Torrington. He pointed out that sidewalks are not properly cleared from snow and ice, nor are they sanded properly. If they are cleared of snow and ice, it’s not done in a timely manner. Sidewalks are in very poor condition. Sidewalks are often obstructed and sometimes totally blocked with cars, signs, sandwich boards, flower pots, benches, etc.
Rev. Harmon also pointed out that crosswalks in the city are some of the most dangerous he has ever encountered. Drivers don’t stop at stop signs or red lights. He stated that the new system where the traffic light turns green simultaneously with the walk light is a prescription for disaster.
He also stated that when he calls a city department to report these problems, he’s never clear as to who is in charge, what the procedure is, and who is held accountable. He doesn’t know who to contact to initiate a process to effect a solution so that pedestrians in the city are afforded full access and protection on sidewalks and crosswalks.
Mayor Quinn informed Rev. Harmon that this matter was very complicated. Complaints are forwarded to the Police Department whereby officers try to initiate a solution with the homeowner. Much money has been spent on the new traffic signalization system and crosswalks are an ongoing issue. Mayor Quinn will continue to pass along any concerns to the Police Department and have them monitor specific areas.
APPOINTMENTS #740
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted to accept Chief Janelle’s recommendation that Dustin Baldis and Paul Abeling be sworn-in as probationary patrolmen effective March 10, 2004.
Mayor Quinn administered the oath of office of probationary patrolmen to Dustin Baldis and Paul Abeling.
LETTER OF RETIREMENT: SGT. SULKAZI #840
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted to accept the letter of retirement from Sergeant William Sulkazi, effective February 22, 2004.
REPORTS: PATROL & SUPPORT SERVICES #880
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted to accept the Patrol Division and Support Services reports for February, 2004.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT #890
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted to accept the Investigative Services Report for February 2004.
TRAFFIC UNIT REPORT #910
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted to accept the Traffic Unit Report for February 2004.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SQUAD REPORT #920
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted to accept the Traffic Enforcement Squad Report for February 2004.
Chief Janelle informed the board that approximately 3,000 motor vehicle violations have been issued since the inception of the Traffic Enforcement Squad in September of 2003. They were doing an excellent job in their effort to address vehicular incidents in the city and would continue to do so.
ANNUAL 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL #970
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street from Mason to Water Street on Sunday, August 1, 2004 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for Park & Recreation’s Annual 3 on 3 Basketball.
Chief Janelle stated he spoke with Officer Shopey in regard to a possible conflict of interest between this event and the August 1 rain date for the United Way Car Show, and was assured that both entities have agreed to work together.
CAR SHOW: TORRINGFORD VOL. DEPT. #1010
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street from Pearl to Water Street and to close all side streets leading to Prospect Street on Friday, July 16, and Friday, July 23, 2004 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for a Car Show sponsored by the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department. The proposed rain dates are Saturday, July 17 and Saturday, July 24, 2004 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m..
Chief Janelle assured the board that the event will not interfere with church traffic if the event is held on its rain date of July 24.
CAR SHOW: UNITED WAY #1050
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street from Church to Water Street and to close all side streets leading to Prospect Street on Friday, July 30, 2004, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., for a Car Show sponsored by United Way. The rain date is Sunday, August 1, 2004 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m..
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #1080
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted to accept Chief Field’s Report for February 2004.
DEPUTY CHIEF GIAMPAOLO’S REPORT #1170
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for February 2004.
FIRE MARSHAL & TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #1180
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted to accept the reports from the Fire Marshal and the Training Officer for February 2004.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1200
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Chief Janelle informed the board that Officer Farfan graduated from the Police Academy in Meriden last night and began the field training program today. She is expected to be on the street as a full service officer in ten weeks.
Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell informed the board that Torringford had recently accepted a new member and that one of their yellow helmet firefighters was attending the Fire I course in Burrville in order to obtain his black helmet.
Their fund-raising efforts will include a Car Show, Pancake Breakfast and Tag Sale.
Chief Cornell indicated that his department, with the help of Captain Belancik from the career department, would attempt to write a grant for funds to replace their cascade system that fills their air bottles. They are considering a mobile unit, compatible with the Torrington Fire Department. He thanked Chief Field for Captain Belancik’s help.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1390
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Colangelo thanked Chief Janelle and Officer Shopey for helping St. Peter’s School with their traffic problem.
Commissioner Pucino asked Chief Field to be more specific on the training being reported on the Earned Compensatory Time Report.
Assignments were handed out for various subcommittees. They are as follows:
Fire Budget Committee Police Budget Committee
Commissioner Colangelo Commissioner Kennedy-Pucino
Commissioner Zaharek Commissioner Cook
Commissioner Telman Commissioner Benedetto
Fire Personnel Police Personnel
Commissioner Telman Commissioner Cook
Commissioner Kennedy-Pucino Commissioner Zaharek
Policy Committee
Commissioner Kennedy-Pucino
Commissioner Benedetto
Commissioner Zaharek
Fire Services Coordination Committee
Commissioner Colangelo
Commissioner Zaharek
Commissioner Cook
One Council member was still needed for the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
ADJOURNMENT #1890
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted to adjourn at 8:04 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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