MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
MARCH 14, 2007
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Public Safety Christopher H. Cook, Richard L. Zaharek, Douglas J. Benedetto, James E. Potter, Michael Colangelo, and Robert C. Zordan, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Police Chief Robert Milano, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini, Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais .and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous. Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Police & Firemens’ Pension Fund.
MINUTES #850
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board, with the exception of Commissioner Zordan who abstained, voted to accept
the minutes of the regular meeting held February 21, 2007.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #860
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
PRESENTATION: HEALTH PROGRAM #870
Gary St. Amand spoke in support of the HEARTsafe Communities Program that was begun last spring by the Department of Public Health to foster community environments that improve the survival odds for people who suffer from sudden cardiac events, such as cardiac arrests or heart attacks.
Mr. St. Amand stated that Torrington has demonstrated its commitment toward ensuring that its residents and visitors receive the early lifesaving response proven to increase the chances of survival for heart attack victims. This commitment is further strengthened by Torrington’s plans to continue providing community CPR training programs and working to expand the availability of AED’s in public locations.
Mr. St. Amand presented Mayor Bingham with a certificate designating Torrington as a HEARTsafe community. The city will receive ten road signs to place strategically around town to acknowledge Torrington as a HEARTsafe community.
Mr. St. Amand publicly thanked Fred Rosa for all his help in making this program a reality for the City of Torrington.
Mr. Rosa said the program would be worthless without the support of the Police and Fire Departments, Campion Ambulance, the State of Connecticut, and the citizens of Torrington.
On behalf of the Civitan Club, Addo Bonetti said, depending on their future fund raisers, they intend to purchase and give one or two defibrilators each year to different organizations recommended by Fred Rosa.
ADD TO AGENDA #1090
Commissioner Potter made a motion to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to an executive session under Personnel, Police Department. Commissioner Colangelo seconded the motion. Unanimous.
EXECUTIVE SESSION #1100
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to go into executive session under Personnel, Police Department and invited Atty. Conti and Police Officer Ronald Schmidt to attend.
OPEN SESSION #1130
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board reconvened into Open Session.
ADD TO AGENDA #1135
Commissioner Cook made a motion to add an item to the agenda by 23rds vote in regard to retiring a Torrington Police Officer. Commissioner Potter seconded the motion. Unanimous.
RETIRE POLICE OFFICE ON DISABILITY #1160
Commissioner Cook made a motion to retire on disability Officer Ron Schmidt effective January 22, 2007 and refer the matter to the Police and Fire Pension Board. Commissioner Benedetto seconded the motion. Unanimous.
Atty. Conti said the motion didn’t specifically contain any mention of medical benefits, but assumed they would be forwarded as well.
Corp. Counsel Weaver said yes.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #1175
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to
accept Chief Milano’s Report for February 2007.
TRAFFIC OFFICER’S REPORT #1190
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the Traffic Officer’s report for February 2007.
AREA OF RAINBOW RESTAURANT #1205
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, a discussion took place in regard to the parking situation in the area of the Rainbow Restaurant.
Alan Bakunis, 21 Miller Street, asked if two more No Parking signs could be installed in the area of the restaurant and the Phone Store.
Chief Milano said he would mention it to Officer Shopey when he comes back from vacation. He would also take steps to increase patrol.
Doreen Jarosewski, 19 Goodwin Street, stated that they can’t see oncoming traffic coming out of Goodwin Street because people park right to the corner on Miller Street and asked that this be reviewed as well.
On the previous motion, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to:
A. Increase patrols in the Rainbow Restaurant neighborhood with the enforcement of the present parking restrictions to ensure non-obstructive access to the street is maintained
B Remove the supplemental plate “Beyond This Sign”
C. Add an additional “No Parking” sign in the area of #39 Red Mountain Avenue to eliminate the gap in the signage.
CENTRAL AVENUE #1460
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation to post the east edge of High Street from a distance 25 feet south of Central Avenue, northerly to the intersection of Church Street.
NO PARKING: MOUNTAIN RIDGE #1495
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation that the east edge of Harwinton Avenue, for a distance of 25 feet on each side of the Mountain Ridge egress, be posted as “No Parking” which is consistent with the statutory requirements at roadway intersections, and increase the line of sight to ensure safe entry and exit into the property.
PULASKI & NORWOOD #1545
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to
accept Officer Shopey’s recommendation:
A. That a 3 way stop sign be installed at the intersection of Pulaski and Norwood requiring vehicles from all approaches to stop prior to entering the intersection
B. That a W3-1A “Stop Ahead” sign be installed at the required distance on approach to the intersection.
C. That property owners adjacent to the intersection be notified to remove all vegetation, growth and objects within the line of sight that violate City Ordinance 180-29.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #1610
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for February 2007.
ADD TO AGENDA #1625
Commissioner Cook made a motion to add Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report to the agenda by 2.3rds vote. Commissioner Potter seconded the motion. Unanimous.
DEPUTY CHIEF GIAMPAOLO’S REPORT #1630
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report.
Commissioner Colangelo asked Deputy Chief Giampaolo how much savings was realized by having firefighters do the renovation work at the Northend Firehouse.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo said it was difficult to determine a specific amount but they estimated a savings of 60%, from which 30% was directly related to not having to hire any contractors.
Chief Field stated that 179 comp time hours was reported during the last meeting and that number has increased to a total of 205 hours. The project is almost complete. He said, “If we were to pay out every cent of comp time that we allocated for this job, it would be like $5,000.00.”
Commissioner Potter reminded the board that they approved between $25,000.00 to $30,000.00 to complete the project during the last budget season; however, it was cut by City Council.
Chief Field said the City Council cut it back to $10,000.00.
Commissioner Benedetto expressed his concern over liability issues should someone get injured while working on the renovations.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #1975
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for February 2007.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #1985
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for February 2007.
INCIDENT REPORT #2010
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for February 2007.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT #2030
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion Ambulance for February 2007.
EMERGENCY MGMT. COOR.’S REPORT #2095
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Coordinator’s Report for February 2007.
BUS: DEPT HEADS #2180
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Milano reported having asked the City Council to borrow $21,000.00 from Contingency to combine with another $21,000.00 they currently have in asset forfeiture funds to purchase 79 bullet proof vests. The funds will be reimbursed by the federal government. He indicated that he would start including funds in the capital reserve account to replace these vests in five years rather than wait for a federal grant or have officers purchase them on their own. Chief Milano reported that every officer being issued a vest will be required to wear it as part of his/her uniform.
Chief Field reported that new firefighters have started recruit school and are doing fine. Graduation ceremony will take place on May 16the and the board is invited to attend.
He also invited the board to check in on the officers in training at the Ct. Fire Academy in Windsor Locks, or to review their program. Anyone wishing to do so should contact Chief Field.
Michael Maccalous, newly appointed Chief from the Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department introduced himself.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #2440
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Mayor Bingham indicated that a special meeting of the Board of Public Safety will be held on March 29th, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the Fire Department Master Plan.
Commissioner Zaharek asked Chief Milano if cruisers carried AED’s.
Chief Milano said a concern was brought up about whether or not the AED’s would be sensitive to temperature changes. A concern about having to carry it with everything else they have to carry was also mentioned. Personally, he is in favor of it, but some police officers are not.
Commissioner Potter inquired whether Public Works could install a concrete barrier along the north property line at the Northend Fire House for added protection from accidents.
Chief Field said he was already looking into it.
Commissioners Benedetto and Colangelo commended the Police and Fire Departments during the recent incident at the High School.
Mayor Bingham invited the board to attend the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at City Hall on Friday.
ADJOURNMENT #2700
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:42 p.m.
CAROL ANDERSON
Recording Secretary
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