MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
JULY 13, 2005
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, July 13, 2005, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included members of the Board of Public Safety, Richard L. Zaharek, Douglas J. Benedetto, Christopher H. Cook, Carolann Kennedy-Pucino, Michael Colangelo (arrived at 7:38 p.m.), and Thomas T. Telman, Jr., Corporation Counsel Al Vasko, Acting Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, and Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell. Those absent included Mayor Owen J. Quinn, Police Chief Robert Milano, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Aaron Picz, and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Noad.
In Mayor Quinn’s absence, Commissioner Cook called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m., immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Police & Firemens’ Pension Fund scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
MINUTES #115
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board, with the exception of Commissioner Telman who abstained, voted to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held June 8, 2005.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #125
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #150
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for June 2005.
LETTER OF RETIREMENT: ROBERT FIELDS #160
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Robert Fields’ letter of anticipated retirement on July 30, 2005.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION - SERT: CHRIS SMEDICK #170
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s letter accepting the resignation of Lieutenant Christopher Smedick from the Special Emergency Response Team effective immediately.
Commissioner Pucino commended Lt. Smedick for all of his work in regard to SERT.
HIRING: RAFAEL FIGUEIRAL #200
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to hire Rafael Figueiral as a probationary patrolman pending completion of medical evaluations and background investigations to obtain a seat at the academy on August 12, 2005.
JOHN PONTE 5k ROAD RACE #230
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to approve Officer Shopey’s recommendation to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to hold the 1st Annual John Ponte 5k Road Race scheduled for Saturday, September 3, 2005, beginning at 10:00 a.m. No rain date was submitted.
TOUR OF LITCHFIELD HILLS BICYCLE RACE #250
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to approve Officer Shopey’s recommendation to use city roadways, and seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to use state roadways for the Annual Tour of the Litchfield Hills Bicycle Race on Sunday, August 7, 2005 beginning at 8:00 am and ending at approximately 2:00 pm.
WIMBLEDON GATE NORTH #260
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to approve Officer Shopey’s recommendation to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to install a 25 MPH speed limit sign on Wimbledon Gate North.
STARKS HILL AND SAW MILL HILL #280
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to approve Officer Shopey’s recommendation to install a stop sign for all three approaches at the intersection of Starks Hill and Saw Mill Hill Road, changing the location to a 3-way stop.
BELLEVIEW AVENUE #290
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to approve Officer Shopey’s recommendation that the west edge of Belleview Avenue, from New Litchfield Street south to a point no greater than fifty feet, be posted as “No Parking”.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #310
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for June 2005.
DEPUTY CHIEF GIAMPAOLO’S REPORT #315
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for June 2005.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired whether the ladder truck was back in commission and whether or not the Fire Department has a back up piece for the ladder truck.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that the ladder truck was back in service. He also stated that they did not have a back up piece when the ladder truck is out of commission, and they rely on outlying towns for help when necessary. He further explained that, once upon a time they did have a plan in place to have Ladder Two be the front line piece and Tower One be their reserve unit, however, it continues to be a problem mainly because they are constantly in the shop due to their ages. The Ladder Truck, which is almost ten years old, was in the shop for three days immediately after being out of service for over a week for a transmission issue. He indicated that the pumper they put on line when the ladder truck is out of commission obviously doesn’t fit the bill when they need an aerial
piece. It was important for the board to know that any issue with an aerial device needs to be addressed immediately and then the aerial device needs to be re-certified, and that typically takes three days.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired how long it would take to get a ladder truck into Torrington from a neighboring town in an emergency.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo stated that the minimal response for an aerial device from a neighboring town would be an hour, since they are volunteer units that have to respond to their firehouse first and their day time coverage, except for Winsted, is not any better than ours.
Chief Field reported that they recently used Winsted and their response time was half an hour, but it may have been a special circumstance.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #430
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for June 2005.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORTS #440
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Reports for May and June 2005.
INCIDENT REPORT #450
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for June 2005.
SEPARATION: FF RICHARD DEILE #460
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, a discussion took place in regard to the separation of Firefighter Richard Deile from the Fire Department, effective June 23, 2005.
Chief Field regretfully reported that Firefighter Richard Deile has separated from service from the Torrington Fire Department after twenty one years, due to his inability to return to full duty because of a non-work related injury.
Commissioner Telman inquired whether he would be entitled to a pension.
Chief Field said not until the anniversary of his 25th year or the age of 55, whichever comes first. (About 3 ½ years)
Commissioner Telman said, “It’s sort of a slap in the face to a firefighter that worked for the town for twenty years when just fifteen or twenty minutes ago we gave a pension to someone who just got separated from service for a non-job injury.....It’s unfortunate to see things like that happen where it works for one department and someone from another department, the same thing happens and he loses his job, with no pension.” He didn’t think it was a good precedent, nor was it fair that what worked for one department didn’t work for another.
There was no vote.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #540
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Commissioner Colangelo arrived.
Acting Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago informed the board that the oral boards for the rank of sergeant were scheduled for tomorrow morning. He also stated that interviews for a new canine officer will be held July 19th and interviews for six more candidates for open positions within the department will be held on August 4.
He commended Campion Ambulance, the Fire Department and Parks & Recreation for a fine job on the fireworks display.
Fire Chief Field publicly thanked Firefighter Richard Deile for his years of service and wished him well.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #584
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by the members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Pucino thanked everyone for the excellent job on the fireworks, and congratulated the Police Department for obtaining the JAC Grant. She also thanked Firefighter Deile for his years of service.
Commissioner Pucino inquired whether or not the Fire Department received their prime mover.
Chief Field indicated delivery was expected at the end of July or the beginning of August.
Commissioner Colangelo thanked both the Fire and Police Departments for doing an excellent job during the fireworks display.
Commissioner Telman said he was sorry to see Richard Deile leave the Fire Department and expressed his disappointment on how it occurred.
Commissioner Telman stated that this board went through the process of designing and putting in place a Vehicle Replacement Plan for the Fire Department, and then told the Plan was no good. He stated that one being in the City of Torrington, through a policy that this board as far as he knew had never seen, was able to take that Plan and say “We’re not going to follow it”. He found it absolutely amazing that the life of vehicles could now be extended for a number of years without any discussion from any board, especially since this Plan was voted on by the City Council and the Board of Public Safety and funds had been budgeted to furnish the Plan.
Commissioner Telman said he didn’t know how this board had to adhere to a policy that he didn’t believe anyone ever voted on. This board, as well as the City Council, is elected by the voters of this town to do what they want, and they should abide by the Plan they voted on.
Commissioner Telman further pointed out that the city recently purchased four new plow trucks, and asked, “What about the Fire Department? We don’t need engines for them?” What was most amazing was that everyone else on this board was comfortable with letting one person make the decision instead of letting the board make the decision. He was not comfortable with the situation.
Commissioner Telman requested adding an item to the agenda by 2/3rd vote.
ADD TO AGENDA #740
Commissioner Zaharek made a motion to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote. Commissioner Pucino seconded the motion. There was no vote to add this to the agenda.
Commissioner Telman said “I’d like to add a motion to the agenda that we adhere to the Plan and we purchase the truck as was designed by the Plan because it was never discussed to do anything different to this board.”
Commissioner Zaharek moved the motion, (which, in essence was a second because Commissioner Telman had already made the motion). Commissioner Cook then stated that there was no second and so, the motion failed.
Commissioner Cook said the matter was brought up at least once a month, and every time it is, Chief Field says he’s working on it.
Commissioner Telman disagreed.
Commissioner Zaharek asked Commissioner Cook if he was prepared to give the board an update on the vacancy of the Deputy Chief’s position.
Commissioner Cook indicated that he was not.
Mayor Quinn’s Administrative Assistant David Rivera indicated that the Personnel Department received 20 applications, eight met the minimum requirements and two were internal. Testing will take place next week.
Commissioner Zaharek asked Mr. Rivera if there were any plans to involve the members of the Board of Public Safety in the interviewing process. He said he previously made that request and Mayor Quinn was going to speak about it.
Mr. Rivera said “At this time, no.” He pointed out that it was still in the early stages and that he would speak with Mayor Quinn and get back to him.
Commissioner Zaharek said it was his belief that several members of the board would like to get involved in the process, even in the early stage.
Lastly, Commissioner Zaharek indicated that he was not in favor of the irresponsible leadership.
Commissioner Benedetto thanked firefighter Richard Deile for his many years of service. He commended the Fire Department for doing a good job.
ADJOURNMENT #860
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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