MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
OCTOBER 10, 2007
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, October 10, 2007, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Board of Public Safety members Christopher H. Cook, Richard L. Zaharek, Douglas J. Benedetto, James E. Potter, and Michael Colangelo, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Police Chief Robert Milano, Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini, representative from Torringford Volunteer Fire Department Charles Marciano, and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief David Maccalous. Absent was Commissioner Robert C. Zordan, Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa, and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m.
MINUTES #025
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Colangelo, the board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held September 12, 2007.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #035
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no public participation.
PRESENTATION: PUBLIC SAFETY CONSULTANT #050
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to table the Presentation of Phase I by the Public Safety Consultant.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #065
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for September 2007.
Commissioner Colangelo asked Chief Milano for a sick time report and never received it. He noted 636 days of sick time taken in 2005, 791 days in 2006, and 934 to date. The cost for sick time is approximately $125,392.16 for this year, and more is expected.
Chief Milano explained the more noticeable absentees. He pointed out that anyone taking excessive sick time has been placed on probation within the confines of what the department’s contract allows. He also has to follow the Family Medical Leave Act. Those he has spoken to about excessive sick time are those who are out of control. Sick time is high, but the controls they have at their disposal are effective. People have been disciplined and placed on probation. That process is monitored on a continuous basis. Deputy Chief Maniago has noticed an increase in doctor’s notes for people out on sick leave for just one day. The cost factor has to be attributed not only to the number of days taken, but to the increase in wages as well, which are reflected in the
overtime replacement costs.
Commissioner Colangelo said he understood the cold and flu season and family medical leave, but noticed a trend of approximately 12%. He expressed his concern that the continued increase will affect how the department will be conducted in the future. Sick time affects overtime, which is also out of control, and it affects the officers who get burned out.
Chief Milano said the trick is to develop ways within the confines of their contract, without making it a mandatory item of negotiation. He will go back to the drawing board and come back with new ideas in October, after consulting with Labor Counsel and the Personnel Director.
Commissioner Colangelo asked Chief Milano to furnish any information he came up with to Mayor Bingham as well as the rest of the board members.
Commissioner Cook asked if officers receive sick time pay when they leave the department, if they haven’t used it.
Chief Milano indicated that they accrue on a accumulative basis eighteen days per year. The last contract cut the available time in half for new employees. A doctor’s note is needed for anyone taking more than three days off at once and they are placed on sick leave probation if they take a sick day either before or after their last scheduled date of a holiday.
Commissioner Cook asked if there was any way of tracking whether the sick time occurred on Monday’s, after their shift, a week-end, etc.
Chief Milano said week-ends tend to be higher; however, sick time is all over the place.
Commissioner Cook said the board may be able to come up with something that might work into their negotiations once they review the information Chief Milano will be furnishing them.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo asked what was involved in sick day probation.
Chief Milano said that means for a period of time, they don’t receive sick pay if they don’t have a sick slip if they are out at all, even for one hour.
COMMUNICATION REPORT #380
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s Monthly Communication Report for September 2007.
Officer Shopey indicated that reports from the Parking Committee will begin next month.
Commissioner Potter inquired about the status of street signs for Silver Fox and Cider Mill Crossing. He felt signs were necessary for the Police and Fire Departments to effectively respond to emergencies.
Mayor Bingham said it was his understanding that the street department will install street signs in that community because of the safety concern.
Chief Field said his department addresses any street sign issues they encounter with the Superintendent of Streets, and the matter is usually taken care of quickly.
Commissioner Colangelo inquired about the status of installing a crosswalk at Baeder Street going across Route 202, and the signal light at Dibble Street.
Officer Shopey said the DOT did an investigative report for a crosswalk on Baeder Street and the request was denied by the State Traffic Commission.
The DOT was in possession of Officer Shopey’s statement requesting the study, stating it would be beneficial to pedestrians crossing Route 202. He did not concur with the recommendation of the State Traffic Commission.
Officer Shopey said he was aware of a problem with the traffic signal at the Dibble Street intersection. He spoke with the DOT Electrical Unit and Traffic Engineering about the issue and called the company who installed the signal, however, the issue still has not been resolved. An inspector from the Engineering Division in Newington will check it.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Officer Shopey for an update on outstanding parking tickets and what he is doing about it.
Officer Shopey indicated that 138 notices were sent out last month for payment, and more than $12,000.00 was collected between tickets and meters. Since they are currently up to date with the receipts, they are able to boot immediately. At the direction of the chief, they have aggressively begun to locate and boot cars on the streets.
Officer Shopey also met with the people who are involved with the tickets to see how they can locate the cars that should be booted. A lot of their information could be up to a year old and that causes problems because the owners could have moved. The information will be reviewed on a weekly or monthly basis to try to locate people and see how many tickets they have, and try to find their vehicles to boot.
Mayor Bingham asked Officer Shopey if he had any idea what percentage of outstanding monies were owed to other communities compared to Torrington.
Officer Shopey indicated that most communities are in the same situation as we are.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about going through the Tax Collector and keeping vehicle owners from being able to register their cars if they have outstanding parking tickets.
Officer Shopey said the city is registered to participate in that program, but we still don’t have the ability to transfer the information to the Motor Vehicle Department. We are still waiting for the software company to finish their software. He sent Corporation Counsel Weaver information he found on the Internet on other options to use the Tax Collector through the municipality for the collection process.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #760
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for September 2007.
DEPUTY CHIEF GIAMPAOLO’S REPORT #775
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for September 2007.
Ladder II is back and it’s 100% at this time.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo stated that a 90' section of fence will be installed near the hydrant located at the entrance of their driveway to prevent any more incidents involving the hydrant from occurring in the future.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #870
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for September 2007.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #875
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for September 2007.
INCIDENT REPORT #885
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for September 2007.
EMS PROVIDER ACTIVITY REPORT #910
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for September 2007.
EMERGENCY MGMT COORD’S REPORT #940
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Coordinator’s Report for September 2007.
VEHICLE REPLACEMENT #965
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to table the discussion / vote on Vehicle Replacement until next month when the Commissioners have had a chance to review the CD’s that were prepared for them.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #980
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Milano indicated that a written test for the current application process was given to 128 people on October 6th, and that 85 people passed. In conducting a poll to see how the applicants learned about the job, it was disappointing to learn that only 11 people applied because of the radio ads that were purchased. About 29 were from departmental referrals, and the others learned about the job through various means, including the city’s web site, the Chip’s web site, or the POST. The poll will help them determine the best way to advertise for open positions in the future.
Chief Field indicated that the HazMat Drill held on September 23 went well. He thanked the volunteers for participating, and Charlotte Hungerford for setting up their decontamination quarters.
Chief Field said he was informed by one of his newest firefighters that he may be departing for a different department which brings to light a new issue that will require additional discussion regarding the hiring of new recruits. The Police Department had the same issue a while ago when they were confronted with the cost to put new employees through recruit training, to supply them with gear, and find out that they intend to leave the department after a short period of time. The cost to cover the training and gear is in the vicinity of $7 to $10,000.00. Chief Field’s recommendation would be to mirror the Police Department’s procedure, but it’s a matter that needs discussion.
Chief Milano said the POST (Police Officer’s Standards and Training) has also enacted a two year prohibition whereby their certifications would be dropped from the certifying agency if they were to go to another department. We originally adopted a three year, pro-rated contract for training and recruitment costs. The city collected on that once from West Hartford, then the two year policy came in. Most of them leave after about three or four years.
Chief Field said the state passed a bill in regard to reimbursement for recruit fire training and Firefighter I training. The city will be reimbursed for half of the cost for the recruit who is currently in training. That does not include wages. The legislators want to increase it to 100% in the future.
Mayor Bingham inquired whether or not it included the volunteers as well.
Chief Field said yes it does. Volunteers pay up front for the Firefighter I Program and get reimbursed 50% upon completion and graduation.
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS. #1170
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Charles Marciano, representative from Torringford Volunteer Fire Department said he was approached by the city engineer in regard to the site line problem they were having leaving their driveway. He asked if the matter had been followed up on.
Mayor Bingham said he would check on the matter.
Mr. Marciano said they will be holding their 50th Anniversary Ball on November 3rd at the Torrington Elks.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1250
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired into the status of what was brought up at last month’s meeting concerning who was responsible for cutting the brush hanging over the sidewalks at the intersection of Hogan and Petricone near East School.
Commissioner Potter noted that the problem is more than just brush. The sidewalk itself is almost non-existent and a hazzard to walk on.
Mayor Bingham said he has not received a response, so he will look into the matter again tomorrow. He noted that funds from Small Cities was used to build new sidewalks in areas of low income and senior housing. In the future they would like to develop a program to keep up with our sidewalks and provide some help to those who can’t maintain them. If the sidewalk at Hogan and Petricone is the city’s responsibility, we’ll have to make sure we budget money to repair it.
Commissioner Benedetto expressed his concern that the Northend Firehouse repairs may not be done before winter. He thought the city should step in and repair the facility before bigger issues develop, and then get reimbursed by the insurance company for the entire cost of the project.
Chief Field said it was his understanding that the contractors will start moving along once the engineers make some modifications to their original plan.
Mayor Bingham noted that the city could have been dealing with the same contractors currently working on the project had we gone through the bid process. Had the city chosen to do the project, we would have only been covered to a certain dollar amount and we’d be digging into our pockets right now and there would be no reimbursement. We need to make sure we get in touch with the contractors. We’re working through the insurance company who is funding the project, and if the contractors are not working out, we’ll ask them to furnish us with a new company.
Chief Field stated that the firemen at the Northend Firehouse have been more than accommodating, despite some inconveniences.
Chief Field noted that no one was aware the contractors weren’t returning phone calls being made to them. Now they know, they can start to address that problem.
Commissioner Zaharek indicated that he just happened to witness a drug raid on the corner of Franklin and Center Street and commended the Police Department, especially CERT, let by Lt. Schaller, who executed the raid. He also stated how impressed he was with the equipment they were using and Mike Michaud for the work he’s doing on the command center.
Commissioner Cook noted that Chief Milano had received a $25,000.00 grant for a narcotic officer and asked if that position had been filled.
Chief Milano said their intent is to transfer someone from Patrol and back fill as necessary with the $25,000.00.
In regard to the drug raid, Chief Milano indicated that it exemplifies the benefits of the investment this board makes to the CERT unit. These are calls that require more than substandard equipment and training. The public, as well as this board, have to realize how important it is to continue to support the CERT Program in dollars for training and equipment.
Commissioner Cook inquired how the Police Department made out in their recent competition in Avon.
Deputy Chief Maniago indicated that Team One came in 11th out of 26 teams. There were 19 teams last year they came in 12th or 13th. They had an excellent showing, the training value was outstanding and they look for continued support.
Chief Milano indicated that Torrington’s AIT had been referred to New Haven as a model for technical advice and expertise.
Chief Milano said he attended a meeting where Winsted’s Police Chief made a pitch for future commitment from taxpayers of his town concerning the AIT, and especially the CERT. He pointed out how important it was to have a team that is trained in cooperation with Torrington’s Police Department to make certain there is no weak link. Chief Milano is hoping Winsted will follow through with their commitment.
Commissioner Cook said “Chief Field, and Deputy, along with the Mayor, I know a couple of months ago we did sit down and we had, with Commissioner Potter, I believe, and with the firefighter’s, kind of a communication thing between management and the Board of Public Safety. Are we working on getting something together for that again?”
Chief Field indicated that Commissioner Cook should have received an e-mail. They were shooting for today, but due to prior commitments and scheduling with everyone, they were unable to do so. It’s now scheduled tentatively for next Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
Commissioner Potter indicated that Vehicle Replacement requisitions were mentioned during last month’s meeting and noted that Chief Field had a document he wanted to share with Mayor Bingham and the rest of the board. He furnished them with said document.
The board commended Deputy Police Chief Maniago for going to the FBI Academy in March 2008.
Commissioner Colangelo inquired about the status of Chief Milano’s five year plan.
Chief Milano said he would probably have it by the middle of November.
Commissioner Colangelo inquired about the focus groups Chief Milano was supposed to put together.
Chief Milano said there were individual meetings with people from cross sections of the community. Once he puts some information together, he will produce a format internally to digest by an inside group, and they’ll formulate a plan based upon that information. He will also bring in Block Watch Captains as well. The scope will be every aspect of the department operation, from recruitment to projections to operational goals. He’s trying to combine several plans into one operation within a timetable that he can handle and accomplish.
ADJOURNMENT #2150
On a motion by Commissioner Colangelo, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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