MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
APRIL 6, 2005
A SPECIAL MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday April 6, 2005, in the Council Chambers to discuss budgets.
Those in attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., Board of Public Safety members Christopher H. Cook, Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, Michael Colangelo, and Thomas T. Telman, Jr. Comptroller Alice Proulx, Police Chief Robert Milano, Acting Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Aaron Picz, and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Noad. Absent were Board of Public Safety Commissioners Richard L. Zaharek, and Douglas J. Benedetto.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
Mayor Quinn stated that the purpose of the meeting was to hear from the Chiefs who previously met with the subcommittees to rework their budgets in order to comply with the budget submissions that will go to the City Council and Board of Finance. Mayor Quinn issued directives to department heads to act responsibly, eliminate all unnecessary spending, and examine overtime very carefully. Mayor Quinn pointed out that department heads have been extremely cooperative. He explained that very little money would be forthcoming from the state and/or the federal government.
Mayor Quinn stated that he and members of the Board of Public Safety met with all three volunteer departments and heard their financial woes.
Mayor Quinn had asked Board of Public Safety and City Council members to direct all of their questions to Ms. Proulx in order to eliminate some of the tedious work involved in preparing a budget.
CIVIL PREPAREDNESS #280
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to approve the Civil Preparedness budget.
CANINE CONTROL #300
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to approve the Canine Control budget.
POLICE DEPARTMENT #320
Ms. Proulx suggested increasing Line Item 5238.0000 Fuel from $15,000.00 to $20,000.00. The board agreed.
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to approve the Police Department budget including the $5,000.00 increase to Fuel. Bottom line = $5,857,208.
TRAFFIC MAINTENANCE #500
The traffic budget increased $101,145.00. A major portion of the increase is in wage line item due to the inclusion of two employees from the Parking Authority. Part of the increase will be offset by revenue that used to be collected by the Parking Authority.
Chief Milano informed the board, since taking over the Parking Authority the parking lots were looking better and the accountability and efficiency of the employees was also better. He stated that Ray Carpenter will be maintaining the grounds and plowing the Police Department complex which will create a savings in their budget.
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to approve the Traffic Maintenance budget.
FIRE DEPARTMENT #700
The Fire Department’s largest increase was in the wage line item, which included the settlement of a three-year contract. An increase on the operational side to establish priorities included a replacement program for turn out gear to adequately protect each employee, upgrade their self-contained breathing apparatus program to meet the standard, and establish an equipment replacement program like hoses, generators, pumps, etc.
Mayor Quinn explained that the Fire Department’s budget reflected an 11% increase, but it was on scale with his directive for zero % growth plus contractual. Nine percent of the increase reflected the three-year contract recently settled, skewing the budget to make it appear as though it was more than it really was.
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to approve the Fire Department’s budget.
PUBLIC SAFETY MISC. #870
Ms. Proulx indicated that the Public Safety Miscellaneous budget had an increase of $76,130.00. The largest portion was for the Police Department’s Heart & Hypertension of $146,042.00, which was offset somewhat from the Fire Department’s Heart & Hypertension.
Mayor Quinn reported that the three volunteer departments were having a difficult time managing their department with the $25,000.00 stipend given to them by the city. He explained that the volunteers were thankful for the stipend, the training assistance, gas, etc., furnished by the city however, they find themselves in a reverse trend and dipping into their reserves and that each department was experiencing difficulty in making ends meet.
Commissioner Telman made a motion to give each department an extra $2,500.00. Commissioner Pucino seconded the motion. Commissioners Telman and Pucino voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Cook and Colangelo opposed the motion. Mayor Quinn broke the tie and voted in favor of the motion. The motion carried. Line Item 5453.0001 Cont’n 3 Volunteer Depts. increased from $75,000.00 to $82,500.00.
Mayor Quinn said he allowed the motion to move forward and to be considered by the City Council and the Board of Finance because opposing the motion would not have allowed the volunteers any other opportunity to receive extra funds, however, he couldn’t guarantee that it would survive both boards.
Bottom line = $1,836,139.00.
The board voted unanimously to approve the Public Safety Miscellaneous budget.
ADJOURNMENT #1120
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.
Joseph L. Quartiero, CMC
Secretary
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