MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety, adjourned from September 14, 2005, was held on Wednesday, September 21, 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.(arrived at 7:48 p.m.), Corporation Counsel Al Vasko, Police Chief Robert Milano, Acting Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Captain Robert Belancek, and Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell. Absent were Fire Chief John Field, 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 7:35 p.m. immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Police & Firemens’ Pension Fund scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES #130
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held July 13, 2005. (Tabled)
Commissioner Cook said the reason he requested tabling the minutes during the last meeting was not that critical and felt they could be accepted.
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held August 10, 2005.
POSITION OF DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF #165
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, a discussion took place in regard to the hiring for the position of Deputy Police Chief.
Commissioner Pucino said she was uncomfortable knowing that the Police Chief has to live in the city but the Deputy Police Chief doesn’t. She thought both positions should be on an equal basis so the rules don’t have to be changed if the person who becomes the Deputy Chief has the opportunity to become the Chief.
Mayor Quinn said he thought it had been explained fully by the Personnel Director during the last meeting. He asked Mr. Gritt to explain it once again.
Mr. Gritt stated that the two positions never had residency as a requirement. They literally changed the rules to give Bob Milano a bit of an advantage within the pool of candidates. They didn’t do it with the Deputy Chief’s position because it wasn’t something they had done before.
Commissioner Pucino thought they should stay away from showing favoritism.
Commissioner Colangelo said the City Charter states that local residents have an advantage, and comparing the Deputy Chief’s position with the Chief’s position is like comparing apples and oranges.
Commissioner Pucino said they were the only two non-management (sic, management) positions in the Police Department. She thought it should go back out again since we were just going back to the old rules of saying “Well, for one, we’ll do one thing and for somebody else, we’ll do something else.”
Mayor Quinn said he understood Commissioner Pucino’s position; however, he tried to explain it at previous meetings and that clarification was not sufficient. The Personnel Director has attended meetings on two occasions and tried to explain the difference as well. It was not the normal procedure to go out for a Police Chief and there was no guarantee that the person chosen would be an inside person.
Mayor Quinn said the characterization he put forward in choosing a Police Chief and a Deputy Police Chief was that their strengths would be evaluated by a professional group of Police Chiefs and Deputy Policy Chiefs. Prior to his administration, qualifications were looked at. They didn’t go outside. He set a different bar.
Commissioner Pucino said the board was always afforded the opportunity to sit in on the interviews even though they weren’t allowed to speak. This time, they were denied that opportunity. She felt the board had been short changed in this respect.
Commissioner Zaharek inquired whether Corp. Counsel Vasko had rendered a legal opinion on the residency matter. What would the liabilities be should a question arise in the future.
Corp. Counsel Vasko said future openings for Chief and Deputy Chief will have to be looked at in the future.
Commissioner Zaharek indicated that the future may be affected by what they do today.
Corp. Counsel Vasko said “Not necessarily. This is the first time with the Chief that we had a residency requirement.”
Commissioner Colangelo failed to see the relevancy. They weren’t talking about the Chief’s position, but the Deputy Chief’s position which had no residency requirement.
Commissioner Zaharek stated that the next position for the Deputy could be Chief.
Commissioner Colangelo said that was correct if he was tested and found to be the highest qualified candidate. He said “I think it’s something that we should look for in the testing process in the future. This is my third.... two years on the board, our third major promotion like this, and it seems just out of character a little bit.”
Commissioner Zaharek again expressed his concern about future liability.
Mayor Quinn said that future Boards of Public Safety may see fit to devise a different way of going through the process. That’s obviously the purview of the existing Board of Public Safety and Mayor.
Commissioner Pucino didn’t object to the hiring of an outside firm to interview, but did object to being denied the opportunity to actually see and hear the candidates.
Mayor Quinn noted that they didn’t have the opportunity with the Chief’s position either. He said Commissioner Pucino was also reluctant to have a fair testing process as well.
VOTE #385
Commissioners Benedetto, Cook and Colangelo voted in favor of hiring a Deputy Police Chief. Commissioners Zaharek and Pucino voted against the motion. On a 3-2 vote, the motion carried.
Personnel Director, Tom Gritt, explained that he advertised broadly in the media. He received 20 applications, 8 were qualified to test. The applicants came from Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. A panel of three Chiefs or retired Chiefs interviewed the 8 applicants, asking technical questions seeking to find their management background, experience on the police force, budgeting, etc. An evaluation was done of the 8 candidates and the Board Of Public Safety was given the scores they received during an Executive Session at the last meeting.
Mayor Quinn added that the Board of Public Safety then received a list of candidates, scores, and written comments in regard to what the panelists found. From that list the Board of Public Safety is free to choose what it wants to do in regard to the Deputy Chief, based on an evaluation of what they’ve seen and read.
MOTION #445
Commissioner Colangelo made a motion to hire Acting Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago to the position of Deputy Chief for the City of Torrington. Commissioner Benedetto seconded the motion. Commissioners Benedetto, Cook, and Colangelo voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Zaharek and Pucino voted against the motion. On a 3-2 vote, the motion carried.
Mayor Quinn stated that Captain Maniago was merely Acting Deputy Chief, and therefore, still a member of the collective bargaining unit. The Personnel Director will offer him a job as Deputy Police Chief. He will need to accept the position and sign some papers. His promotion will become effective upon the date of such signing.
Commissioner Telman arrived at 7:48 p.m.
PROMOTION: VINCENZO CALABRESE #515
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to approve the promotion and swearing-in of Vincenzo Calabrese to the position of Sergeant.
Mayor Quinn administered the oath of office to Sergeant Calabrese.
TESTING: CAPTAIN & LIEUTENANT #640
Chief Milano requested permission to coordinate with Personnel for the testing for the positions of Captain and Lieutenant.
The board had no objection to Chief Milano’s request.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #660
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Chris Marino, 12 Pinewoods Road, expressed his concern over traffic on Pinewoods Road, especially trucks being driven at a high rate of speed. He thanked Officer Shopey for his help on the matter, but with the scheduled widening of the road in 2007, the matter would only get worse. He was leaving it up to this board to make some future ruling, i.e., signs, speed limit change, etc.
Mayor Quinn thanked Mr. Marino for alerting the city to a potentially harmful situation by bringing it to the board’s attention. Mr. Marino clearly made his point that he would like someone to look into the matter.
OUTSTANDING OFFICER AWARD #760
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to present the Outstanding Officer Award to Officer Gregory Wityak.
Chief Milano stated that Officer Wityak was hired not too long ago as a probationary police officer. The award is a testament to him in terms of being recognized by his peers for his abilities that go above and beyond his grade and rank at this point in time. The award is measured on his willingness to work with his co-workers, his attendance record, and his overall capacity to learn. In this case, Officer Wityak has excelled, regardless of the short amount of time that he has been on the job.
Officer Wityak received his award and was congratulated by all.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #900
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for August 2005.
COOPERATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM #910
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board was informed by Chief Milano that the department has a cooperative internship program between the Superior Court and the departmental supervisors. Chief Milano felt the program will benefit communication and coordination.
No action was required.
DEPT. ALCOHOL, TOBACCO & FIREARMS #940
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board was informed by Chief Milano that the department has entered into a mutual agreement with the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to directly trace firearms through a system called “E-Trace”. This will allow the department to trace firearms at a faster rate through the internet and allow them to do a better job in terms of evidence management.
No action was required.
HIRE UP TO THREE APPLICANTS #1000
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to grant permission, depending on academy seats available for the 9/30 class, to hire up to three applicants for positions as probationary officers, pending the successful completion of medical testing and background investigations.
Chief Milano introduced Andrea Closson who was given a conditional job offer by the Personnel sub committee. She has already completed the testing and background investigation. She is slated for a September 30 seat at the Academy, pending the approval of her application and being hired by the Board of Public Safety this evening.
Chief Milano requested that the Board of Public Safety hire Ms. Closson on probationary status upon completion of all contingencies in the conditional job offer.
The board voted unanimously to hire Andrea Closson as a probationary officer, pending the successful completion of her medical testing and background investigation.
NO PARKING: DURAND STREET #1070
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to post as “No Parking” the east edge of Durand Street, from East Main Street north to the municipal park/playground.
Officer Shopey reported that parking created by a number of business establishments in the area was limiting the traffic to one lane.
RECOVERY WALK #1125
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation that permission be granted to hold the annual Recovery Walk sponsored by the Northwest Mental Health Authority and Prime Time House scheduled for Thursday, October 6, 2005 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
ADD TO AGENDA #1150
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to the Columbus Day Parade.
COLUMBUS DAY PARADE #1170
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to approve Officer Shopey’s request to hold the Columbus Day parade scheduled for Wednesday, October 12, 2005, and to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close East Main Street from the Columbus statue to Main Street and Main Street to City Hall for the parade, and Main Street from Church to Mason Streets while festivities are ongoing.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #1225
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for August 2005.
Capt. Belancek stated that Chief Field will be attending a three-week program with the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, MD. He was certain that Chief Field would advise the Mayor and the board as to when this would take place in ample time to arrange for an acting position, seeing that the Deputy Fire Chief is also incapacitated at this time.
DEPUTY CHIEF GIAMPAOLO’S REPORT #1280
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for August 2005.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #1290
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for August 2005.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #1335
On a motion by Commissioner Pucino, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Reports for July and August 2005.
INCIDENT REPORT #1345
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for August 2005.
BOILER REPLACEMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT #1340
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council that they award the bid entitled North End Station Boiler Replacement to the low bidder, Midland Building Services, Inc for $12,200.00.
Commissioner Colangelo inquired whether the bid drew any local bidders.
Capt. Belancik stated that one bid was received from Torrington and three from out of town. The local contractor was $230.00 higher than the low bidder.
Commissioner Cook inquired when they would begin the work.
Capt. Belancek indicated that they presently have an asbestos abatement situation with the existing boiler at the north end station in regard to the hot water tank and related piping. Chief Field has been in contact with the Purchasing Agent and has received formal bids which they are presently reviewing on the asbestos abatement estimated at less than $10,000.00 and that work will have to be accomplished before Midland can replace the boiler.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1435
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Pucino, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Chief Milano reported that, during their Extended DWI Enforcement Program which ran from January to August 2005, there were 26 DWI arrests, 312 incidents where action was taken, and 36 non-vehicle incidents. He informed the board that the city was reimbursed $58,000.00 from the State DOT for the program.
In Chief Field’s absence, Captain Belancek informed the board that the Fire Department will be receiving their new tow vehicle from Connecticut Homeland Security on the 23rd of September. The vehicle will help them carry much needed equipment. More importantly, the vehicle will tow the mass decontamination trailer. It will have the capability of towing the fire safety trailer, the special operations trailer, or the hazmat trailer and will take the load off their pick up truck, Utility 6.
Capt. Belancek invited Mayor Quinn and the board to stop in at fire headquarters to view the new piece of equipment.
Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Cornell informed the board that the Fire Service Coordination Committee had agreed to use a certain frequency on their radios. This will afford them the opportunity to work well amongst themselves as well as with neighboring towns in mutual aid situations.
Chief Cornell indicated that he stood before this board six weeks ago and asked about the new electronic gas keys and had not heard any more about the matter.
Chief of Staff David Rivera said he was told by the Street Department that there were five cards left in the system that was purchased by the city and Mr. Lizotte said he would get him those cards. Nothing had been done to date because they wanted to know how much it would cost to get more cards. (The cost would be approximately $1,000.00.)
Chief Cornell indicated that his department had two cards and needed two more. Drakeville and Burrville also needed two each.
Mayor Quinn said we should try to expedite the matter as quickly as possible.
Chief Cornell reported that his department sent their Fire Police as well as their van to the fatal accident in New Hartford.
He noted that the three volunteer departments will be doing a city-wide food drive for FISH in the near future.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1825
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Quinn and members of the Board of Public Safety.
The entire board congratulated Deputy Chief Maniago and Sergeant Calabrese on their promotions.
Commissioner Colangelo said it would be nice if this board could work together behind the Mayor for the good of the city.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Officer Shopey if there was any chance of doing something about the traffic blocking the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department driveway.
Officer Shopey indicated that they had gone over this matter on a number of occasions. The state will not paint lines in the road, install signs, or install a permanent light because it’s too close to the light at the intersection.
Officer Shopey said he would be talking to the state on another issue on Monday and that he could bring the matter up again. Additional building projects are currently being proposed and a secondary driveway out of Torringford’s property is still in the talking stage.
Commissioner Telman indicated that the very least they could do is install a sign saying “Do Not Block Driveway”.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired about having lines painted on Kinney St.
Officer Shopey indicated that the lines were painted last year. He noted that the line painting was contracted to someone who would use a different process and paint which should last longer. He was hoping that all road painting would be completed by late fall.
Commissioner Benedetto also reported that the Right Turn Only sign at the bottom of Winthrop Street was covered with stickers.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Captain Belancek to give the board an update on the use of the decontaminated trailer in New Hartford.
Capt. Belancek indicated that he was not the Captain on duty that day, but was informed that the mass decon trailer was towed by the Board of Education dump truck on loan to the Fire Department. The dump truck will be phased out once we get the tow vehicle from the State. Their utility pick up truck was also used to tow one of their special operations trailer. He stated that they received a mutual aid call through LCD (Litchfield County Dispatch) because of the extrication involved and the magnitude of the accident. Engine 1 responded from headquarters as protocol, and then the following trailers were sent as supplementals. The crew remained on scene for several hours and helped with the removal of the victims when the police finished with their investigation.
Mayor Quinn asked if he was correct that the proper protocol for the transportation of that vehicle is to be done by Merli Motors.
Capt. Belancik said he believed Mayor Quinn was correct. To his knowledge, they are contracted with Merli in the event they need to have the mass decon trailer towed; however, it was his belief that Deputy Chief Giampaolo secured the Board of Education dump truck stationed behind headquarters on Water Street.
Mayor Quinn was concerned from a public safety point of view as to whether or not the dump truck was rated to carry a decon unit as heavy as it was.
Capt. Belancek didn’t know the specific weight of the trailer versus what the dump truck could tow. He would trust that Mike Michaud in Vehicle Maintenance devised the proper hitching mechanism in full knowledge of what the weight was and what it would be towing.
Mayor Quinn asked Capt. Belancik if he knew which vehicle returned the decon unit back to fire headquarters.
Capt. Belancik didn’t know.
Mayor Quinn said it was his understanding that Merli was brought out after the fact to return it to the fire station and that it may have been a situation where we put undue strain and stress on a vehicle that was also carrying a crew of firefighters. His concern was the public safety of those firefighters if that vehicle had not been rated to carry the equipment of that size and dimension. He asked Capt. Belancek to relate his and some of the Commissioners’ concern back to Chief Field and see that a full explanation is delivered to the Mayor’s Office.
Captain Belancek indicated that he would relay the message to Chief Field. He stated that the new tow vehicle is due to be delivered on Friday. Barring any unforeseen glitches on the states’ part and what it needs from Equipment Maintenance to get it prepped, it should be on line in a relatively short period of time.
Commissioner Pucino commended the Police Department for their Awards Banquet.
Mayor Quinn also stated that the Awards Ceremony was a great evening for the Police Department, Public Safety Commissioners, Mayor, the community and families of those who received awards. He thanked Richard Good for the fine job he did at the Elks.
Lastly, Mayor Quinn stated that, as a result of Hurricane Katrina, the Governor allowed some communities to re-enact a disaster which allowed the City of Torrington to activate its emergency operations center in anticipation of a hurricane hitting southeastern Connecticut. It allowed all departments to fully operate their exercises. As a follow up, the City of Torrington was noted for asking the best questions, and having the most technical correct activities. Because the city did so well, Mayor Quinn will be treated to a luncheon at Region 5 and the credit is to be given to the officers and the Chiefs who did the work and put everyone through the training exercise.
ADJOURNMENT #2470
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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