MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
JANUARY 9, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Public Safety Gerald A. Zordan, Douglas J. Benedetto, James E. Potter, and Christopher H. Cook, 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, Charles Marciano, Representative from Torringford Volunteer Fire Department, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief David Maccalous, Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini, Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa, and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt. Those who were absent included Commissioners Richard L. Zaharek and Robert C. Zordan, and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES #030
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held
December 19, 2007.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #035
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner
Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
There was none.
EXEC. SESSION: PERS. FIRE DEPT. #045
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner
Potter, the board voted unanimously to go into an executive session under
Personnel: Fire Department. Atty. Victor Muschell and Thomas Gritt were
invited to attend.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the
board voted unanimously to reconvene into a open session.
ADD TO AGENDA: EXEC SESSION: PERS. POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to add an executive session to the agenda under
Personnel: Police Department.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: PERS. POLICE DEPT.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to go into an executive session under Personnel:
Police Department. Chief Milano and Deputy Chief Maniago were asked to
attend.
OPEN SESSION # 080
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner
Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to reconvene into open session at
8:05 p.m.
HIRE: DAVID COOPER # 090
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto,
the board voted unanimously to conditionally hire David Cooper, upon the
successful completion of the Cooper Standard Test and the transfer
requirements made to Torrington from Litchfield. (Tabled 12/19/07.)
ADD TO THE AGENDA #120
On a motion by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, seconded by Commissioner
Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by
2/3rds vote in regard to the hiring of two police officers.
HIRE BASCETTA AND GIORDANO #125
On a motion by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, seconded by Commissioner
Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to hire Nicole Bascetta and Michael
Giordano as probationary police officers at the convenience of the city.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #150
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner
Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for
December 2007.
COMMUNICATION REPORT #160
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the
board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s Monthly
Communication Report for December 2007.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Officer Shopey when the new software
would be up and running.
Officer Shopey said he and his clerk are working on it everyday, they are
progressing and he hopes to be all set by the next board meeting.
CROSSWALK: SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOL #200
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, a
discussion took place in regard to the crosswalk proposal on Prospect Street
at Saint Francis Parochial School (Tabled 12/19/07.)
Theresa Canino spoke in favor of the crosswalk, as she did during the last
meeting.
Commissioner Potter asked Officer Shopey how moving the meters to the
opposite side of the street would affect the businesses that use them, and
whether or not those business owners had been notified that they may be
moved. He noted that the meters only posed a problem in the morning and
afternoon when kids are being dropped off and picked up.
Officer Shopey indicated that the business owners have not been notified.
He pointed out that parking is allowed on the east side of the rest of
Prospect Street where it actually jogs to accommodate the parking on the
opposite side of the school. This would realign the center line where the jog
is, to be straight down and in sequence with the rest of the street. The future
plan for the area is to have meters north of the intersection on Prospect once
the Court House is built, should it become an area that would accommodate
businesses associated with the Court House. If anything, it will probably
improve the traffic safety in the area. In addition, many of the attorney’s
offices in the area have on sight parking.
Commissioner Potter thought the matter should be tabled until the business
owners were notified.
Commissioner Cook preferred making a motion to accept Officer Shopey’s
recommendations with the exception of moving the meters.
Commissioner Gerald Zordan asked Officer Shopey what the procedure
would be to make a recommendation to the school not to park where he
assumed was “on the sidewalk.”
Officer Shopey indicated that Zoning could send the school a letter stating
that there is no curb cut there for vehicles to park. It’s not an approved
parking area, therefore, they will have to cease and desist from parking at
locations other than those specifically designed to house vehicles.
MOTION #510
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner
Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s
recommendations, except for #2, which is to transfer all present metered
parking positions in this area from the west edge of Prospect Street to the
east edge of Prospect Street, which was tabled until such time as the
business owners are notified.
For the record, the board accepted the following recommendations:
1) The installation of a mid-block crosswalk was denied.
3) That yellow/green post reflectors be installed to increase sign visibility day
or night and promote safety.
4) That the installation of a reduced speed limit for a school zone be denied.
5) That vehicles cease from parking at locations other than those specifically
and originally designed to house vehicles.
6) That the school investigate the better management and use of their
existing property to accommodate and manage the visitors that request
the school during times the building is occupied.
7) That the installation of temporary signs or objects within the travel portion
of the roadway be denied.
8) That the Patrol Division and the Regional Traffic Enforcement Team
conduct periodic speed enforcement in the area during times that school
is in session.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #530
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the
board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for December 2007.
DEPUTY CHIEF GIAMPAOLO’S REPORT #535
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner
Potter, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s
Report for December 2007.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that Mcguire is still the general contractor
taking care of the Northend Firehouse project. He noted that the project was
moving along and he didn’t foresee any problems getting the job done by the
end of the month. The jersey barriers are set to be installed by the Street
Department.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #580
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for December
2007.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #590
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for
December 2007.
INCIDENT REPORT #595
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for December 2007
FIRE DEPT. REIMBURSEMENT POLICY #600
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to table the Fire Department’s Reimbursement
Policy for new employees seeking employment in other communities until
they were able to enter into negotiations. (Tabled 12/19/07.)
EMS PROVIDER ACTIVITY REPORT # 620
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the
board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from
Campion for December 2007.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORD’S REPORT #635
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook,
the board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management
Coordinator’s Report for December 2007.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #650
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Gerald
Zordan, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Department
Heads.
Chief Milano said he was informed by the Narcotic Unit that the Sherman
Street house was under contract to be sold for $250,000.00, and that
proceeds will come forth from the King Street house. However, he doesn’t
have an exact accounting of those funds yet.
Secondly, Chief Milano commented about the article in the newspaper
concerning sick time use/abuse at the Police Department. One of the things
the article didn’t mention that he’s mentioned to this board in the past, is that
they have a spike in sick time use, and perhaps sick time abuse. However,
there are many officers who find it necessary to call in sick because of
absolute necessity out of fatigue from working multiple shifts, and/or multiple
times during the week to compensate for the Police Department shortage.
For the record, he, as their chief, wanted to recognize that fact; not as an
element of abuse, but as a safety factor and a safety relief valve. This is an
issue they’ll have to address as long as they continue to have manpower
shortages, but they should not state that all officers abuse sick leave,
because they don’t. There may be some, but his staff is being pushed hard,
and he felt the board should recognize that his officers are human beings
who carry weaponry and make monumental split second decisions that
could put a heavy liability on the city.
Chief Milano noted that this is a chronic problem happening across the
nation, not just Torrington. It’s something they are addressing and trying to
find the root cause and means to resolve it.
Commissioner Cook stated, it is his opinion that the board applauds the
officers for working the way they do. He remarked that he has questioned
the high numbers of overtime use in the past. He knew there was a safety
net with the Union, where they couldn’t work beyond a certain number of
hours. He said “I just don’t want the picture painted that we have police
officers out there that are exhausted, because I don’t think that’s the case
either. I think that they’re working very hard, but obviously, nobody is
denying sick time or anything like that if they’re working a large number of
hours and they call in sick.”
Chief Milano said he’s had people work three double shifts in a week. The
nature of the work, the responsibility they have and the accountability that he
holds them to, is an issue they have to be concerned with, along with their
level of performance. He is working with the Personnel Department on a
policy to address these concerns. He wanted to report on the article and let
the board know that the fatigue factor is valid and to reassure them that not
all of his staff is abusing sick leave, because they’re not.
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS. #810
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook,
the board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire
Departments. There was no business from either Torringford or Drakeville.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #825
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner
Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor
Bingham and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Benedetto said he thought the board needed to address the
issue of whether or not the Fire Department was allowed to use the truck to
go out of town and/or whether they should be allowed to stop to get lunch on
the way back from a call.
Commissioner Cook thought many different scenarios would come into play
on this subject. He thought the sub committee should meet to decide what
the trucks should be used for other than to fight fires.
Chief Field agreed that the sub committee should meet to discuss this matter.
He made it known, as he did during the last Public Safety meeting, that he
will not be the one who picks and chooses between what is right and what is
wrong for using these trucks. It has to be across the board; either you do it,
or you don’t. After the last meeting, he stopped all vehicles from any extra
use until this matter is resolved.
Commissioner Cook said they spoke about the use of the truck going out of
town, with the exception of mutual aid, but they didn’t discuss anything about
stopping to pick up lunch on the way back from a call.
Commissioner Potter said he thought the board was in agreement that they
not go out of town with on-duty personnel for the time being.
Commissioner Gerald Zordan spoke up and said he was not in agreement
with Mr. Potter’s statement.
Chief Field thought the Policy Sub Committee should develop a policy.
Mayor Bingham asked the board to start thinking about what their beliefs are
in terms of allowable situations, past practices, abuse, etc. prior to the sub
committee meeting.
Commissioner Cook said he didn’t believe anything was being abused.
ADJOURNMENT #1000
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner
Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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