MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
AUGUST 13, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Public Safety Douglas J. Benedetto, James E. Potter, Christopher H. Cook, and Robert C. Zordan, Police Chief Robert Milano, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot, and Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini. Those who were absent included Commissioners Gerald A. Zordan and Richard L. Zaharek, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, Deputy Police Chief Michael Maniago, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous, and Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. immediately following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Police & Firemens’ Pension Fund.
MINUTES #070
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held July 16, 2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #075
On a motion by Commissioner Robert Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
There was no public participation.
The board agreed to move Item #16 to the present time. (Executive Session)
EXECUTIVE SESSION: POLICE DEPT. #085
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to go into an executive session under Personnel: Police Department at 7:07 p.m., and invited Chief Milano to attend.
OPEN SESSION #095
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to reconvene into Open Session at 7:25 p.m.
HIRE: GINA SPRING & OSCAR SEGUI #100
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to hire Gina Spring and Oscar Segui as probationary patrol officers for the Torrington Police Department effective at the pleasure of the city and in cooperation with their current employers.
ACCEPT QUINN SULLIVAN AS REGULAR POLICE OFFICER #140
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Quinn Sullivan as a regular member of the Torrington Police Department after having successfully completed his probationary period as of 8/14/08.
Chief Milano recommended Officer Sullivan as a regular member of the Police Department after meeting all of his obligations during his probationary period.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #160
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for July 2008.
Chief Field reported meeting with Mayor Bingham, Corp. Counsel Weaver, Public Works, and the Street Department in regard to the city’s obligation to the dry hydrant system. The city needs to investigate whether or not it has the legal right to go on private properties to clean the dry hydrants, and whether or not the Street Department has the equipment necessary to clean them. Currently, the cleaning is being sub contracted.
Mayor Bingham noted that the city will also have to research the location of the hydrants and that some of them may be useless because of where they are located (overgrowth over ponds, wetlands, etc.).
Commissioner Potter said he thought the hydrant at English Pond might simply be a matter of cleaning the culvert where the storm water goes into the drain and keeping it from getting over the top of the jersey barrier that blocks it from getting into the pond.
Mayor Bingham said that particular hydrant may very well be their first test, but they have to complete their investigation first.
Chief Field said he was unfamiliar with the legalities of the dry hydrants because none had been installed during his tenure.
Commissioner Potter said it seems odd that they would even be in place unless the city requested them to be installed.
Mayor Bingham stated that Corporation Counsel Weaver is researching the matter to make sure that everything is done correctly.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo added that the city will be exposed to liability issues if and when the city recognizes and accepts dry hydrants.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Chief Field what kind of truck his department was looking for.
Chief Field said he’s been meeting with the Vehicle Replacement Committee, and they’ve decided to get a Rescue Pumper concept, combining both vehicles together to accommodate the needs they have and save the city some money. Issues like how they are going to staff it and how it will respond have been taken into consideration.
Chief Field indicated that the written test for Captain is scheduled for August 26 and the oral test is September 9th, and the process takes a month or two to complete. With the retirement of Captain Belancik, the senior lieutenant working on that shift automatically becomes the shift’s commander. Their system accommodates the captain’s position through the acting position for each one of the shifts.
Chief Field informed the board that they’ve met with Winsted officials and with Congressman Christopher Murphy in regard to obtaining some appropriation funding for the dispatch center, and things are starting to move forward.
Chief Milano added that next week they will convert to flat screen computerized dispatch panels. This is a preliminary move toward the total goal of what appears to be unfolding as a regional public safety dispatch center that will receive substantial initial funding from the state and continued financial support once it’s up and running.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired about the comp time, specifically the yard work being done at headquarters and the north end station. It was his belief that personnel on duty did the yard work.
Deputy Fire Chief Giampaolo indicated that one employee is actually cutting down some trees and limbs. Those on duty usually mow the lawn and rake, but don’t cut trees. Waterproofing and weatherproofing is also being done at the north end station.
Commissioner Potter inquired about sick time being used.
Chief Field indicated that sick time was being used for personal medical procedures.
DEPUTY CHIEF GIAMPAOLO’S REPORT #655
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for July 2008.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #665
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for July 2008.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #670
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for July 2008.
Chief Field indicated that the training officer has been told to make himself available to the volunteers for any training he can provide. Upon his return from the National Fire Academy, they will meet to discuss Patient Care Training. He noted that summer months are more difficult for the volunteers to do any training.
Torringford Volunteer Lawrence Dauphanais indicated that the volunteers are usually able to access the training officer when needed, and agreed that they do more training in the winter months.
INCIDENT REPORT #740
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for July 2008.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #750
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for July 2008.
Commissioner Benedetto expressed his concern about overtime costs, and asked if it would be reduced once they are fully staffed.
Chief Milano gave the board an update on the staff that was unavailable during July, which included 17 employees who were not producing for various reasons. It is his belief that there is a certain degree of abuse in sick time and he is working with the Personnel Director to develop a policy to achieve firmer controls. He expects the high numbers to drop starting in the fall.
COMMUNICATION REPORT #885
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s Monthly Communication Report for July 2008.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if Officer Shopey had been put back on patrol instead of spending hours in the office. It was his belief that someone other than a certified officer should be doing office work.
Chief Milano indicated that Officer Shopey has been able to perform more enforcement duties by shifting his hours. He also stated that funds were budgeted for civilian staffing but they want it to last throughout the year. He noted that the Traffic Division has been struggling with the influx of ticket money because they are currently tied into Motor Vehicles. It’s become a juggling act between the needs for traffic enforcement and the collection of money from tickets, and they are trying to balance it out.
Chief Milano added that they’ve also had a huge increase in weapons permits, which is time consuming, and they’ve surpassed the permits issued a year ago.
PRIVATE DUTY JOBS/USE OF PATROL CARS #980
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Robert Zordan, the board voted unanimously to discuss Chief Milano’s proposal for extra duty vehicle use and fees.
Chief Milano stated Officer Shopey has researched the cost factor in using a cruiser on jobs when an officer is hired by a private contractor and it calls for a police car. Other communities charge between $4.00 and $20.00 per hour. His recommendation was to charge $20.00 per hour with a four hour minimum.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired who would determine whether or not a cruiser was needed, and expressed his concern over the possibility of jeopardizing the safety of an officer, should the vendor decide to cut costs by not ordering a cruiser.
Chief Milano said vendors who want an officer will get one according to the terms of the department. Officer safety is his main consideration, especially if they’re on a night time construction project. The Police Department will make the determination of whether or not a cruiser is needed, not the contractor.
VOTE #1145
The board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s recommendation that a rate of $20.00 per hour per vehicle be charged, with a minimum of four hours billed per assignment, to any vendor requesting the use of a marked patrol vehicle for a private duty job.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT #1150
On a motion by Commissioner Robert Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for July 2008.
EMERGENCY MGMT COORD’S REPORT #1170
Because there was no report this month by the Emergency Management Coordinator, the Board on a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook voted unanimously to table.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1175
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Milano advised that 18 groups participated in National Night Out held on Tuesday, August 5, and reminded everyone the DARE Car Show is scheduled for August 22, 2008.
Chief Field thanked Captain Robert Belancik for his 29 years of service and wished him well in his retirement.
He advised that the Union will be having their annual Boot Drive on August 28th.
Chief Field also advised the board that two new firefighters just completed their medical clearance and will begin employment with the city on August 25th.
Chief Field also noted that a Strategic Plan for the Fire Department will be created by a diversified committee, and it was imperative that at least one member of the Board of Public Safety be involved. He asked for a volunteer. The Plan will look at fire service as a whole for the next five to ten years.
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS. #1350
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais advised that they received the approval for the Opticom System to be controlled by the Torringford Volunteers when exiting the firehouse and they hoped to see some results before winter.
He also noted that trees are blocking their site as trucks exit the station.
Mayor Bingham advised that Torringford was given copies of letters the city sent to the private property owner making him aware that he needs to clear some shrubbery. The city has had no response, but we will continue to make him aware of the situation.
Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot had nothing to report.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1460
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 Benedetto inquired about an e-mail and Chief Milano said it would be best to discuss the matter in a one-on-one conference at Commissioner Benedetto’s convenience.
A brief discussion took place in regard to Commissioner Cook’s inquiry concerning Codes 1, 2, and 3.
ADJOURNMENT #1950
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:16 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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