MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
JULY 12, 2006
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, July 12, 2006, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Commissioners of the Board of Public Safety Christopher H. Cook, Richard L. Zaharek, James E. Potter, and Robert C. Zordan, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, and Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa (arrived at 7:13 p.m.). Commissioners Douglas J. Benedetto, and Michael Colangelo, Police Chief Robert Milano, Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais, and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Aaron Picz were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES #015
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held June 14, 2006.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #025
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
#010 TAPE #2
John Falcone, owner of property located at 68 Main Street, stated that he was upset over the installation of a “No Parking” sign in the parking space just south of Calhoun Street in order to improve the sight line of traffic. He noted that every parking space in the area is crucial to him and his tenants. As a matter of fact, he recently lost a possible tenant when the tenant noticed that there was no customer parking. He suggested the same thing he had suggested a year and a half ago when this same issue came up, to install a Right Turn Only Sign on Calhoun Street. He asked the board to consider his hardship.
Officer Shopey arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Commissioner Cook said he believed it was brought to the board’s attention because of the number of accidents occurring at that intersection. He noted that this issue was an on-going discussion, having been brought before this board on a number of occasions.
Commissioner Potter stated that, at the time this vote was taken in May, he expressed his concern that there was no longer any more municipal parking behind Skee’s Diner.
Officer Shopey indicated that the idea to make Calhoun Street a Right Turn Only was discussed two or three years ago. Although he didn’t have the file in front of him, he stated that the accident rate did increase from the last time they looked at this issue until now. He noted that further issues with this matter will take place when the bank is re-built and their driveway aligned with Calhoun Street. The board also talked about making Calhoun Street a one-way in the past, however he couldn’t remember why it wasn’t pursued. If any change was to be made, he thought it would be better to make it a Right Turn Only. He noted that the state would have to remove the sign, at our request, since it’s on a state highway and the state installed it. The
sign will have to be replaced with either a No Right Turn or a One Way to take care of the safety concern we expressed when we requested the No Parking sign.
Fred Rosa arrived at 7:13 p.m.
Mayor Bingham stated that the matter would be on next month’s Board of Safety
Agenda, when Officer Shopey could supply the board with more information.
6 MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD #670
The board was advised that Captain Christopher Smedick, Lieutenant Wayne Newkirk, Sergeant Louis Gonzalez, and Detective Kevin Tieman had successfully completed their 6 month probationary period. No vote was necessary.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #680
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for June 2006.
In Chief Milano’s absence, Deputy Chief Maniago informed the board that the Traffic Department was backlogged by approximately three weeks of clerical duties, and they needed to have that under control to prevent them from erroneously booting a vehicle.
STREET FAIRS #740
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to seek a permit from the State Traffic Commission to close Main Street between Water Street and Mason Street on the following dates and times for scheduled Street Fairs:
Sunday, July 16, 2006, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. **
Sunday, August 20, 2006, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 15, 2006, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
** Please note: July 16th is the rain date for the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department Car Show and may create a scheduling conflict.
LITCHFIELD HILLS BICYCLE RACE #780
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to grant Officer Shopey permission to use city roadways and to 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 6, 2006 beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at approximately 2:00 p.m.
OAK AVENUE #805
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously, after a brief discussion, to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to install “No Parking” signs on the west edge of Oak Avenue from Grant Street up to and including the property of 350 Oak Avenue.
FIRING RANGE #890
A discussion took place in regard to conducting a feasability study of the Machuga property to be use as a possible police firing range. (No paperwork.)
Deputy Chief Maniago informed the board that the reconfiguration of the Winsted firing range, which they are currently using, is causing the Torrington Police Department some hardships because it’s not long enough for them to qualify with their long rifles and they barely have enough room to qualify with their hand guns.
Deputy Chief Maniago indicated that Fran DuCotey, Vice Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission had stated that the Commission would support the use of the Machuga property for a firing range. He asked for permission from the board to conduct a feasability study to see if the area would be conducive to a firing range. Chief Milano would use funds from his budget to conduct the feasibility study. He could explain which line items he would use during the August meeting.
Commissioner Cook thought the board should have some knowledge of the cost of the feasibility study before they voted on it.
Deputy Chief Maniago informed the board that reservations to use the Waterbury range need to be made far in advance and they have to accept whatever slots are open, which are not always the best times for the department. The present conditions force them to practice with their side arms in one location and their long guns and sniper training in another location.
Commissioner Zaharek inquired about the impact of not being able to meet their qualification deadlines and the implications for the City of Torrington.
Deputy Chief Maniago stated that they were state mandated to qualify at least once a year. If they are not qualified, they are not allowed to carry their side arms. It just so happened that recently, two Torrington Police Officers qualified on the last day possible.
Mayor Bingham stated that the city owns the Machuga property and the Parks & Recreation Commission is in charge of the land, and they support the firing range.
Deputy Chief Maniago indicated that they do not pay to use the Waterbury range. Instead, they use a cooperative work effort and supply them with various instructors. The city would let other departments use their firing range, and it would be conducted in the same manner as Waterbury with a cooperation work effort.
Deputy Chief Maniago stated that they currently have someone willing to let the Police Department practice on his land, but they have to make certain it won’t create a problem for the property owner.
Commissioner Cook stated that the board could either wait until they get more financial information and revisit the issue next month, or tentatively approve moving forward with the feasibility study.
Mayor Bingham suggested that perhaps the Commissioners could vote to approve the feasibility study as long as it’s under the bid threshold of $10,000.00.
Commissioner Potter inquired whether there could be additional costs for developing the property, and whether the city had equipment to do some of the work.
MOTION
Commissioner Potter made a motion to allow the Police Department to move forward with the feasibility study and to have them outline the manner in which it will be funded.
Commissioner Cook asked Commissioner Potter if he wanted to add to his motion that the feasibility study be conducted only if it was under the bid threshold. It was his opinion that the board should feel comfortable with the fact that they weren’t jeopardizing something else within their budget to do this.
WITHDREW MOTION #1360
Commissioner Potter withdrew his motion.
MAINTAIN ORIGINAL MOTION #1380
Commissioner Potter then retracted his withdrawal and kept his original motion, adding only that they should proceed “if” it’s under $10,000.00.
Commissioner Zordan seconded the motion. Unanimous.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #1420
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for June 2006.
DEPUTY CHIEF’S REPORT #1425
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for June 2006.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo said it will cost $3,400.00 to re-caulk the wall that’s leaking at Fire Headquarters, and they will move forward to make the repairs.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #1540
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for June 2006.
Commissioner Potter pointed out that there had not been any training with the volunteers once again.
Chief Field indicated that the training officer was working on getting the volunteers updated on several items.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #1580
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for June 2006.
INCIDENT REPORT #1590
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for June 2006.
RECRUITMENT POLICY #1610
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to discuss the Fire Department’s Recruitment Packet. (Tabled on 6/14/2006.)
Chief Field reviewed the modifications with the board.
On the same motion, the board voted unanimously to approve the Fire Department’s Recruitment Packet.
HUNT COMPUTER DESIGN #1780
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council that they waive the bid process and award a contract for software for the Fire Department to the sole source vendor, Hunt Computer Design.
Chief Field explained that having the same computer software as the Police Department will make future plans between Police and Fire more accommodating, and allow them to share information. Also, the software is user friendly and adaptable to their needs.
ZODIAC MAR II CHD RESCUE BOAT #1835
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, a discussion took place in regard to the request to recommend to the City Council that they purchase a Zodiac Mark II CHD Rescue Boat for the Fire Department for $4,037.00 from encumbered funds from the 2005/2006 budget.
Commissioner Potter inquired where the encumbered funds were coming from.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that the encumbered funds they hoped to use were no longer available, so the boat would be purchased from current funds from Line Items 5229 - Replacement Equipment, and Line Item 5360 - New Equipment. He stated that there was a need for the boat and urged the boards to move forward with the request.
He stated that the boat was a 12'2" Zodiac with an aluminum bottom and a puncture proof skin specifically designed for rescue operations. Four or five people can stand on one side without it tipping over. They presently have a motor which they can use; however, they would like to get a jet propulsion motor in the future.
Commissioner Potter expressed his concern over the fact that they presented the board with documentation dating back to 2002 stating that they were in need of a boat, but it was never included in their budget process all along.
Chief Field indicated that the boat was repaired in 2002 and not on the top of their priority list. He explained how they constantly juggle things around on the priority list to accommodate their needs, and didn’t feel it was prudent to wait until the boat sank a second time to get a replacement.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that you could use the boat to train people to run the motor but they couldn’t effect a rescue with it. The current boat was a hand-me-down from the State and is more than 30 years old.
Chief Field stated that Torrington has great potential for problems on waterways with its thirteen bodies of water. The boat gets used anywhere from five to ten times a year. The only time the city would call for assistance is in an under water rescue, because we don’t have those capabilities.
Commissioner Potter asked if a transfer of funds should be done from one line items to the other, so funds could be taken from only one line item.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that the purchase could be paid from either line item as long as its an equipment based item.
MOTION #2450
Commissioner Potter made a motion to allow the Fire Department to purchase a Zodiac Mark II CHD Rescue Boat for $4,037.00 from the fiscal 2006-07 budget. Commissioner Zaharek seconded the motion. Unanimous.
Mayor Bingham said he asked to have this item on the agenda because he didn’t have enough knowledge to decide whether they needed a boat, and brought it to the Commission to decide.
EMS PROVIDER ACTIVITY REPORT #2510
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report for June 2006.
Mr. Rosa distributed his report to the board. He noted that the joint program with the Fire Department was working out extremely well. They performed joint training last month and will continue to do so.
EMERGENCY MGMT COORD’S REPORT #2750
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the board voted unanimously to table the Emergency Management Coordinator’s Report for June 2006 since it was not available.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #2795
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Deputy Police Chief Maniago informed the board that a group of people met in regard to the brick work that needs to be done to the outside of the Police Station. It was agreed that the work should be in stages due to the amount of work and the cost factor. The priority of the work will be determined.
He also indicated that he and Chief Milano will meet with Mike Michaud on July 24th to discuss cruiser availability and the amount of time a cruiser spends at the Street Department when undergoing repairs. Although there are times when no cars are down, they have had occasions where as many as five cars were down at the same time. Six officers are due to be hired in the near future, which will affect the number of cruisers that will be needed.
He informed the board that they have 30 applicants left since the agility test and they are not certain if that will be enough to fill the six openings. If not, they would like to alert the board that they may be running another written test very soon.
Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa indicated that the cooperation between departments is excellent and the program is working very well. Training is ongoing.
Fire Chief Field requested permission to move forward with testing.
Chief Field commended Firefighters Lawrence Hepburn and Kevin Engle, who recently received their certification as Fire Officer 4, which is the highest certification at the state level at the CT. Fire Academy.
He stated that the Torrington Fire Department will be participating in a regional Haz Mat exercise on September 10 and invited Mayor Bingham and the board to attend.
Lastly, he noted that the Torrington Fire Department was notified that it received a grant for software which he hoped to share with the rest of the city.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #3265
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Potter suggested having Mayor Bingham act on such items as road closures rather than bringing them to the board for approval. The board supported his suggestion. Officer Shopey will supply the board with a report on said activities.
Commissioner Potter stated that overtime at the Police Department was out of control. He referred to an issue that took place in Winsted where Torrington sent police officers to assist. He asked if other departments would supply Torrington with the same type of coverage.
Deputy Chief Maniago stated that Torrington generally supplies the majority of resources and personnel since it is the largest department. They realized going into the agreements with Winsted and Thomaston that Torrington, as the host city and the larger department, would bear the brunt of the resources, including overtime.
Commissioner Potter said he also noticed overtime for storm related issues and thought that type of work could be better coordinated so the volunteers could do the work instead of having to pay overtime.
Deputy Chief Maniago stated that they had a tremendous amount of calls related to wires and trees being down on the night of that very bad storm, but assured the board that they would look into a coordination effort with the volunteers.
Commissioner Zaharek asked Deputy Chief Maniago if they had any discussions on expanding the CERT team and ERT unit to other communities.
He said he’d like to see another municipal police department CERT team in force to form a partnership with Torrington.
Deputy Chief Maniago indicated that there had been no discussions, however they could look into it.
Commissioner Potter asked if the board should give Chief Field permission to move forward with the testing.
Mayor Bingham said he made it clear to the chief that he could do so. In the meantime, they’ll have further discussions on filling the positions.
Commissioner Zordan congratulated the firefighters who recently qualified for Fire Officer 4.
He thanked the Volunteer Departments for inviting the board to their annual dinners.
Commissioner Zordan expressed his disappointment in regard to the volunteers’ absence at the monthly meetings. He felt they needed to attend more than the budget meetings if they wanted the board’s support.
Commissioner Potter inquired how the board could express their opposition to relocating fire headquarters to the Franklin Street area in the Downtown Renovation Project.
Mayor Bingham said there was no way to tell whether fire headquarters will be one building or split up or where it’s going to go because we don’t know where the market is going to take it. The plan is not to concentrate on one particular issue, like where the fire house will be located, because that question will be answered in the process. The EIE Study is merely a footprint and a step in moving forward with more distinct guidelines. If Commissioner Potter felt he needed to speak out on this issue, he could put it in writing or speak during the public hearing.
Commissioner Potter strongly felt that a big, major fire headquarters like we have is not practical to the city any longer and it’s better to create small satellite stations with one engine company in different areas of the city to better serve the citizens of Torrington.
Mayor Bingham said “For the purposes of the map, generally, they requested that we find a location for it, but logically, you can’t, depending on where and what properties are available and the goals of the Fire Department and the Board of Safety, you can’t tell anybody where the Fire Department is going to go, and whether it’s going to go anywhere at all.”
Chief Field said, “I have had discussions with the Mayor regarding this issue and in our discussions, the last thing we do not want to do is not support the entire project, but I’ve asked him to just inform us when he thinks the time is appropriate for us to voice that opinion, to let us know, and we’ll make that voice be heard, cause we agree with you wholeheartedly on that issue.”
Mayor Bingham said “So do I. I just want to make my point clear to the Commissioners and the Chiefs, I honestly believe that we need better fire protection on the east end, especially during day time hours. To leave Water Street or the west end of town, I think would be potentially hazardous. It’s something the board and I will have to look at in the next few years while the project continues.”
ADJOURNMENT #250
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:39 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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