MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
APRIL 13, 2005
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, April 13, 2005, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Jr., members of the Board of Public Safety, Richard L. Zaharek, Douglas J. Benedetto, Christopher H. Cook, Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, Michael Colangelo, and Thomas T. Telman, Jr., Corporation Counsel Al Vasko, Police Chief Robert Milano, Acting Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell, and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Noad. Absent was Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Aaron Picz.
Mayor Quinn called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M.
MINUTES #010
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board with the exception of Commissioner Telman who abstained, voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held February 23, 2005.
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held March 9, 2005.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #030
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to allow the Northend Community Association to make their presentation of tasers to the Torrington Police Department.
On behalf of the Northend Community Association, James Lesebre, President, presented Mayor Quinn and Police Chief Milano a check in the amount of $1,590.00 to purchase two tasers for the Police Department. Mr. Lesebre explained that part of their mission was to enhance the community of Torrington and they felt their donation would help our officers in their law enforcement duties and responsibilities. The Northend Community Association challenged all other civic organizations within the City of Torrington to step forward and support the Police Department’s law enforcement.
HIRE: EDWARD MUMM #150
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to hire Edward Mumm on probationary status on the police department pending final medical reports, to start at the convenience of the city. A seat will be available on May 13.
Chief Milano explained that a second seat at the academy may become available with very little notice to the city and hoped the board would be receptive to holding a special meeting to hire a second person to fill that seat.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #240
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for March 2005.
TABLE OF ORGANIZATION #255
Commissioner Colangelo made a motion to table the Torrington Police Department’s Proposed Table of Organization. Commissioner Benedetto seconded the motion. Commissioners Colangelo, Benedetto and Cook voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Pucino, Zaharek and Telman opposed the motion. On a 3-3 tie vote, Mayor Quinn voted to table, and the motion to table carried.
TEST FOR POSITION OF SERGEANT: #280
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to allow the testing for the position of Sergeant.
DONORS WEEK ROAD RACE #295
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to give Officer Shopey permission to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to hold the 34th Annual Donors Week Road Race scheduled for Sunday, August 14, 2005, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
WALKAMERICA #310
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to give Officer Shopey permission to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to hold the annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2005, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
STREET FAIR #320
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to give Officer Shopey permission to close Church Street between Prospect and Main on Saturday, September 7, 2005, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a Street Fair.
LITCHFIELD HILLS BICYCLE RACE #360
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to give Officer Shopey permission to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street from Water to Church on May 22, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. til 6:00 p.m. for the Litchfield Hills Bicycle Race and to restrict parking on streets affected by the race from 7:00 a.m. til 5:00 p.m.
CAR SHOW #390
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to give Officer Shopey permission to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street from Pearl to Water on Friday, July 15, 2005 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and to close all side streets leading to Prospect Street for the Annual Torringford Volunteer Fire Department Car Show. The rain date is Sunday, July 17, 2005, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #410
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for March 2005.
DEPUTY CHIEF’S REPORT #420
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for March 2005.
FIRE MARSHAL & TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #430
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the reports from the Fire Marshal and the Training Officer for March 2005.
INCIDENT REPORT #435
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for March 2005.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #440
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell indicated that he and his department were perplexed on how they could speak to the Board of Public Safety and the City Council in regard to their budgets, other than during the public hearing. He pointed out that special meetings had no time allotted for public comment. In the past, volunteers had been afforded an opportunity to speak on their budgets and to answer questions from the Council or Board of Public Safety.
Mayor Quinn indicated that he would have to check into whether or not the volunteers would be given a chance to speak, other than during the public hearing.
Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Noad invited the board to their Open House on April 24th, from noon to 4 p.m. to see their new addition.
Corp. Counsel Al Vasko requested adding an executive session under Personnel: Police Department to the agenda by 2/3rds vote.
ADD TO AGENDA #570
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to add an executive session to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to Police Personnel.
EXECUTIVE SESSION #590
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to go into an executive session under Personnel, Police Department, inviting Chief Milano, Atty. David Morrissey, and Officer Dale Olofson, to be held at the end of the meeting.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #620
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Zaharek indicated that he was still waiting to hear when the promotional lists for Captain and Lieutenants were to expire.
Chief Milano stated they will expire on April 29th.
Commissioner Zaharek said he saw it as a waste of taxpayer’s money to let the promotional lists expire. He thought they had been remiss not to push the hiring process along for the Deputy Chief.
Mayor Quinn reiterated his statements from the previous meeting, that the process of selecting the Deputy Chief was pushed back somewhat for certain reasons and it continues to be on the burner. He will notify the Board of Public Safety when the advertisements will be published. He has made it perfectly clear that there is no vacancy for Captain or Lieutenant until the issue of Deputy Police Chief is settled. The process will move with all due speed, making certain that it’s professionally and competently done.
Commissioner Benedetto commended the Fire Department for a job well done on Chestnut Hill.
EXECUTIVE SESSION #745
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to go into executive session at 7:55 p.m. under Personnel: Police Department. Chief Milano, Atty. David Morrissey, and Officer Dale Olofson were invited.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, seconded by Michael Colangelo, the board went into open session at 8:12 p.m.
On a motion by Christopher Cook, seconded by Michael Colangelo, the board moved to grant a disability retirement to Officer Dale Olofson of the Torrington Police Department effective June 30, 2005.
On a motion by Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, seconded by Michael Colangelo, the board adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
ALBERT G. VASKO
Corporation Counsel
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