MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF COUNCILMEN AND THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
APRIL 2, 2008
A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING of the Board of Councilmen and the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 in the Council Chambers to discuss budgets.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Michael Colangelo, Elinor Carbone, Thomas C. Jerram, and Drake L. Waldron, Board of Safety Commissioners Christopher Cook, James Potter, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, Gerald Zordan, and Robert Zordan, Police Chief Robert Milano, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot, and Comptroller Alice Proulx. Councilors Rick E. Dalla Valle, and Marie P. Soliani were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC SAFETY MISC. #040
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Public Safety Misc. Budget.
On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Public Safety Miscellaneous Budget.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT #100
On a motion by Commissioner Robert Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to approve the Emergency Management Budget.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Emergency Management Budget.
Mayor Bingham noted that Thomas Vannini is currently now serving as Deputy Emergency Management Director on a volunteer basis. The new person will be paid according to what the Mayor and the Personnel Director decide on, based on the person’s experience and what he/she can put into the job in terms of hours.
CANINE #175
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Robert Zordan, the board voted unanimously to approve the Canine Budget with changes.
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Colangelo, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Canine Budget with changes.
FIRE DEPARTMENT & FIRE DISPATCH #200
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to approve the Fire Department Budget with changes.
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Fire Department Budget with changes.
POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET #325
Bottom line including Dispatch is $8,041,102.00.
Commissioner Potter made a motion to approve the Police Department budget, with changes. Commissioner Robert Zordan seconded the motion.
Discussion was held in regard to the promotions of Captain and Lieutenant by two existing bodies, which would create a vacancy for one Patrolman.
Chief Milano said the promotions were contingent upon whether or not the staffing was sufficient to warrant them at the time.
Commissioner Cook said his view has always been to bring in as many patrolmen into the department and then look at handing out promotions.
Mayor Bingham said the promotions were budgeted for half a year, and a decision to move forward with them can be made later on, depending on whether or not the manpower is sufficient enough to warrant them.
Chief Milano indicated that the promotions will not only be beneficial when the department is up to staff, but it will also create an attractiveness to keep officers in Torrington and to build careers in the long run. Budgeting the funds for the promotions doesn’t lock the board into any particular action; it merely gives it the flexibility to make a decision come January 1, 2009.
The Board of Public Safety voted unanimously to approve the Police Department Budget, with changes.
On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted to tentatively approve the Police Department Budget, with changes, with the exception of Commissioner Colangelo who opposed.
Commissioner Colangelo totally disagreed with the proposed promotions because the department had fewer officers at this time. It was his opinion that one Captain was sufficient. Additionally, the domino effect of promoting someone to a Captain and Lieutenant will cost more than expected. His suggestion was to fill from the bottom end and then worry about the management structure.
Chief Milano said he was merely asking to budget the promotions for half a year in the event they are able to bring the manpower up to what it should be. It was his opinion that the department will eventually need the promotions for several reasons, including operationally, administratively, and from a career building standpoint.
Mayor Bingham noted that this will certainly become an issue in January.
TRAFFIC #885
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, the board voted unanimously to approve the Traffic Budget with changes.
On a motion by Councilor Colangelo, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted to tentatively approve the Traffic Budget with changes.
ADJOURNMENT #960
On a motion by Commissioner Robert Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.
On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.
JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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