MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
MARCH 8, 2006
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Public Safety Christopher H. Cook, Douglas J. Benedetto, James E. Potter, Michael Colangelo, and Robert C. Zordan, Corporation Counsel Al Vasko, Police Chief Robert Milano, Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais, Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini, and Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa. Absent included Commissioner Richard L. Zaharek, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Aaron Picz.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held February 8, 2006.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #030
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #040
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for February 2006.
REGULAR MEMBERS OF P.D. # 050
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Officers William Bernabucci and Jonah Mazzacane as regular members of the Police Department effective March 14, 2006.
T.H.S. COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE #065
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to allow the Torrington High School to hold their commencement exercise on Sunday, June 25, 2006 at the Warner Theater, and to get permission to apply to the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street between Water Street and Maiden Lane between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and again between the approximate hours of 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
FIT TOGETHER WALK & PARADE #085
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission for the Fit Together Walk and Parade to be held on Saturday, May 20, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
UPDATE: TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT #100
Commissioners Colangelo, Zordan, and Zaharek would serve on the sub-committee to research the telecommunications consultant. Chief Milano informed the board that a meeting was held whereby he, Chief Field, and the two Deputies were able to set parameters, and the Purchasing Agent suggested breaking the bid into parts to separate cost factors.
Chief Milano asked the board to review the paperwork he handed them, and to jot down any notes, suggestions, additions, comments, or criticisms they may have pertaining to the matter. He also asked for a definitive answer on whether he could use the $40,000.00 in the reserve account earmarked for radio systems upgrades, or need permission from the City Council and the Board of Finance.
Chief Milano stated that the original proposal was up to $40,000.00 for someone to carry this project through to potential grant development and project management thereafter. The proposal is divided into parts to itemize the cost of each category. It would then go out to bid. He would like to have an all-encompassing project, if possible.
A sub committee meeting will be held next week.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT # 240
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for February 2006.
DEPUTY CHIEF’S REPORT #250
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for February 2006.
Commissioner Benedetto suggested more design on TAC 9's front side of the door.
Chief Field thought perhaps they could use the city seal.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #280
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for February 2006.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #290
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for February 2006.
INCIDENT REPORT #300
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for February 2006.
FIRE DEPT. HIRING POLICY #315
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, a discussion took place on the Fire Department Hiring Policy.
Chief Field indicated that the draft copy of the Hiring Policy included in the Commissioners’ packets was reviewed by Thoms Gritt and Corp. Counsel.
Commissioner Benedetto said he was in favor of the application fee and the $400.00 cost to applicants upon a job offer.
Chief Field explained that the $400.00 fee upon a job offer was always part of the hiring policy to pay for medical surveillance expenses. The application fee was raised from $25.00 to $50.00. This revision would eliminate as much cost to the city as possible in the hiring process.
Chief Field noted that the hiring policy does not interfere with the Fire Department contract.
Commissioner Cook noted that Step 4 - Managerial Oral Interview states that “The Personnel Director, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and one or more members of the Board of Public Safety shall hold an interview of the top-ranked candidates.” In its place, he suggested using a specific number of Board of Public Safety members to join the Chief, Deputy Chief and the Personnel Director in the interview process. His suggestion was specifically to include the entire Personnel Committee of the Board of Public Safety: Fire Department.
Chief Field indicated that using the Personnel Committee of the board would be his recommendation as well. He stated that the structure of the scoring process was discussed with Personnel and Corp. Counsel in terms of local entries and volunteers.
Chief Field stated that some of the requirements have changed. New applicants will now have to be certified Emergency Medical Technicians, as a cost savings to the city. In the past, applicants only needed to be MRT’s.
MOTION #590
Commissioner Cook made a motion to move forward with the Fire Department’s Hiring Process, pending the change as presented. (That the Personnel Committee of the Board of Public Safety: Fire Department be included in the interviewing process.) Commissioner Benedetto seconded the motion. Unanimous.
EMS ACTIVITY REPORT #605
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report for February 2006.
EMERGENCY MGMT COORD’S REPORT #620
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Coordinator’s Report for February 2006.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #630
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Department Heads.
Chief Milano advised the board that Deputy Chief Maniago would be going to Alexandria, VA to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on a follow up to a conference which he had recently attended. They are in the process of doing a complete evaluating of their response protocol and process concerning abducted, missing, or exploited children. The entire program is paid by the National Center. One of the thrusts of the program is how to incorporate the SRO Program, like the one at the High School, to identify “at risk” kids, to deal with family and stranger abductions, etc.
Chief Milano also informed the board that Lt. Michael Emmanuel has recently been accepted to the U-Conn Program for a Masters Degree in Homeland Security.
Chief Milano indicated that he or the Deputy Chief will be meeting with residents of Clarence Street in regard to drug activity, etc. in their neighborhood. He invited Mayor Bingham and the board to participate.
Chief Milano requested the authorization to advertise and accept applications for the next round of hiring. They have recently reevaluated their hiring process and protocols and have consulted with a testing firm. He would like to advertise and accept applications while Personnel is reviewing the re-evaluations, so it doesn’t get dragged on any longer than it has to.
They currently have one vacancy, in addition to what is being proposed in the upcoming budget process.
Chief Milano stated that the policy includes a $25.00 application fee, and a $30.00 fee for their agility test. A $400.00 fee is applied upon a conditional job offer, for the applicant’s polygraph, psychological test and two physicals. Some departments return the fee once the applicants have completed the academy and passed probation. Perhaps the board would like to consider returning this money at some point in the future.
Chief Milano said he will send representatives to schools like the University of New Haven, WesConn, Central, Eastern, Northwestern, to recruit students to the Torrington Police Department. That tactic will do nothing but improve our pool of potential candidates.
ADD TO AGENDA #860
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote to move forward with the hiring process for the Torrington Police Department.
MOTION: MOVE FORWARD WITH HIRING PROCESS #875
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to move forward with the hiring process for the Torrington Police Department.
Chief Field invited Mayor Bingham and the Commissioners to the Fire Department’s Award Ceremony on April 6 at Bogeys.
He informed the board that Ladder II will be out of commission for repairs starting March 13 for approximately four weeks. Winsted and Litchfield have been placed on stand by if needed. Staffing issues are being addressed.
Mr. Rosa stated that the EMT Program being taught at the Torrington High School for the past four years has been an unqualified success. The Paramedic Program at Northwest Community College is starting their second year. This growth will hopefully eliminate any possibility of a shortage of personnel.
He informed the board that they will be running a pilot program on CPAP device (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). In trying to avoid sedating severe cardiac and respiratory patients, CPAP will be a way to force air pressure into the lungs. This will be a definite plus for the patient as well as for the City of Torrington.
It was noted that Campion does call the Fire Department for assistance, if needed.
BUS: MAYOR AND MEMBERS #1070
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to consider business presented by Mayor Bingham and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Potter stated that he and Commissioner Cook, Mayor Bingham and Chief Field met in regard to Vehicle Replacement. He also met with Chief Field to go over the history of the plan. They are trying to come up with a recommendation for the entire board to vote on.
Commissioner Colangelo stated that the Detective Bureau Report, as well as Mr. Rosa’s Report, were well compiled and he appreciated the information it contained.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired about the status of the boot.
Officer Shopey said the Purchasing Agent was putting together a package for towing companies that will deal with the storage, seizure, etc. of the vehicles. He informed the board that his department is now on line with the CT. Motor Vehicle Department for license and registration suspension, but he was still waiting for software that would convert their files to a system that Motor Vehicles will accept. Approximately $326,000.00 is uncollected in parking tickets at this point. His goal was to start using the boot by April 1.
He stated that using one wrecker company would be less complicated than using a rotating system like the one we use for accidents. The bid process wouldn’t be used because the city will not be paying them. Using the impound lot depended on availability.
Commissioner Benedetto said he’s been getting complaints about the “no left turn” into Torringford School.
Officer Shopey said he submitted a twenty page report to the City Planner on January 25, 2006 concerning the removal of the sign. The City Planner has been meeting with the Torringford School Building Committee on the matter and they asked Officer Shopey to hold off doing anything with the sign until they have completed their work. He explained the history of the sign.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Chief Milano if he could put an officer on foot in the downtown area, particularly in back of Dick’s Restaurant, because he had received complaints of kids on skateboards, some times going into traffic.
Chief Milano stated that police presence has been more frequent in that area since Christmas. He also stated that they are about to institute their spring procedure downtown where they pay more attention to kids on skateboards and bikes. They have been working on the strong possibility of re-instituting bike patrols downtown, which they feel will be very beneficial in this area. Signs are already in place in the municipal lot behind the library and at Coe Park as well. Something could be done in conjunction with Parks and Recreation at Patterson Park. He will discuss the issue with Deputy Maniago and come up with a plan.
Commissioner Zordan said he had read an article that stated taking skateboards away from children was more effective than giving them a fine, and wondered if that could be instituted in Torrington.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that the city was trying to attract people to the downtown area and children skateboarding on sidewalks were a hindrance to pedestrians.
Chief Milano said he planned to be more pro-active this summer because the number of incidents had increased.
Commissioner Cook said the opening of the skate park might help the situation.
Commissioner Benedetto hoped the board could move forward with the applications for the Fire Department and requested placing it as an item on next month’s agenda.
Mayor Bingham said he would discuss the matter with Chief Field.
Commissioner Cook commended the Police Department on solving a recent robbery.
He said he thought they were moving in the right direction in meeting on the apparatus plan and reviewing everything about it.
Commissioner Potter, on behalf of Mayor Bingham and the board, extended condolences to Fire Marshal Tim Taurau on the passing of his father.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS - POLICE #1670
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to go into executive session under Contract Negotiations: Police Department.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
On a motion by James Potter, seconded by Michael Colangelo, the board went into open session at 8:49 p.m.
On a motion by James Potter, seconded by Michael Colangelo, the board adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
ALBERT G. VASKO
Corporation Counsel
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