MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety, adjourned from Wednesday, September 10, 2008, was held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, in the Council Chambers.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Public Safety Gerald A. Zordan, Richard L. Zaharek, Douglas J. Benedetto, Christopher H. Cook, and Robert C. Zordan, 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, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais, and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous.
Commissioner James E. Potter, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Rougeot, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Vannini, and Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES #020
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board, with the exception of Commissioners Gerald Zordan and Richard Zaharek who abstained, voted to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held August 13, 2008.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #040
On a motion by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
There was no public participation.
OUTSTANDING OFFICER AWARD #045
Deputy Police Chief Maniago presented the Outstanding Officer Award to Officer Dustin Baldis. Officer Baldis does outstanding work as the new Field Training Officer. He has a positive attitude that reflects well with his peers, is always willing to assist, and he represents the community well as a police officer.
REGULAR MEMBER: CHRISTOPHER ABELING #115
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Christopher Abeling as a regular member of the Torrington Police Department after successfully completing his probation.
JEREMY MINARD: PERMANENT STATUS #130
On a motion by Commissioner Robert Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to appoint Probationary Fire Fighter Jeremy Minard to permanent status within the Torrington Fire Department.
ADD ITEM TO AGENDA: EXEC. SESS. PERSONNEL: POLICE DEPT. #150
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda by 2/3rds vote in regard to an executive session under Personnel, Police Department.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: POLICE PERSONNEL #160
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to go into an Executive Session at 7:05 p.m. under Personnel, Police Department, and invited Chief Milano and Deputy Chief Maniago to attend.
OPEN SESSION #185
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to reconvene into an open session at 7:15 p.m.
ADD ITEM TO THE AGENDA: ADD PATROLMAN #185
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to add an item to the agenda concerning the addition of a patrolman to the Torrington Police Department.
ADD PATROLMAN #195
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to hire Matt Faulkner as a probationary officer for the City of Torrington.
Chief Milano noted that the Torrington Police Department is now at full staff with 81 officers.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: PERSONNEL - FIRE DEPT. #240
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, the board voted unanimously to go into an Executive Session at 7:17 p.m. under Personnel: Fire Department - Captain’s promotion. Chief Field and Deputy Chief Giampaolo were invited to attend.
OPEN SESSION #275
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board reconvened into an open session at 8:23 p.m.
CAPTAIN’S PROMOTION #180
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, the board voted unanimously to promote Lieutenant Joseph McElroy to the position of Captain.
Mayor Bingham noted that a formal ceremony will take place at the next Board of Public Safety meeting. He indicated that the decision was a difficult one to make, and that all candidates were excellent. The other candidates, Michael Soliani, Charles Warner, and Kevin Hayes, were recognized and applauded by all.
CHIEF FIELD’S REPORT #350
On a motion by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field’s Report for August 2008.
DEP. CHIEF GIAMPAOLO’S REPORT #445
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Robert Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Giampaolo’s Report for August 2008.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo indicated that both Firefighters’ Ducotey and Consolini are expected to return to work in October. Their absence has affected overtime, but it could be worse if they were on the same shift.
They will move forward to fill the empty position to reduce overtime.
FIRE MARSHAL’S REPORT #600
On a motion by Commissioner Robert Zordan, seconded by Commissioner
Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal’s Report for August 2008.
TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT #610
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer’s Report for August 2008.
INCIDENT REPORT #620
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to accept the Incident Report for August 2008.
RESCUE 8 #630
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to take the 1982 GMC (Rescue 8) out of inventory and use it for training purposes in the fall.
CHIEF MILANO’S REPORT #730
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Robert Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Chief Milano’s Report for August 2008.
Commissioner Cook inquired about the changes that occurred in sectors and the Resource Officer at the high school.
Chief Milano indicated that Officer Pisarski is back at the school full time. Since the beginning of the school year there has already been three arrests. Keeping the resource officer was a commitment he made to the school and to this board. He is still convinced that a resource officer relieves some of the shift work they would otherwise be doing. Two officers remain in Narcotics. Even though they are up to staff with 81 officers, two are on FMLA, one is out with a back injury, four are at the academy, and two are FTO’s.
COMMUNICATION REPORT #820
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s Monthly Communication Report for August 2008.
Officer Shopey indicated that they have collected almost $30,000.00 in unpaid parking tickets since May as a result of the program instituted through the Motor Vehicle Department. The program has been extremely successful but a lot of work is associated with it.
Chief Milano indicated that temporary summer help was able to assist the Traffic division. The board’s request to have Officer Shopey conduct more traffic enforcement resulted in greater numbers this month.
Chief Milano further stated that the number of reports has increased, including the weapons permits which represent a lot of background work for the clerk. Very little money was budgeted for overtime for those positions and they have a back log in data entry which affects the ability of the officers in the field to get up-to-date information on certain aspects of crime.
Commissioner Cook asked Chief Milano if he was thinking of putting a Traffic Enforcement Team together.
Chief Milano said not until the shifts are adequately staffed to control the overtime.
FUEL CONSERVATION POLICY # 990
A brief discussion took place in regard to the Fuel Conservation Policy. No vote was taken.
Chief Milano acknowledged that the benefits of this policy are somewhat limited, but it’s an honest attempt to work within our framework of what their jobs are and the type of vehicles they use. He indicated their vehicles have electronic equipment which require the engines to keep running. Officers are encouraged to do more “park and walk” whenever possible in the downtown area, plazas, and parks when concerts are being held.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if they could make it mandatory for officers to walk one half hour per shift.
Deputy Chief Maniago said the policy states at least one hour, but it’s all dedicated on activity regarding the calls for service that come in. They also want the officers to check in and make contact with business owners to make sure they have no problems that might adversely affect their businesses.
Commissioner Cook inquired whether plazas hired officers on their own.
Chief Milano indicated that they do hire officers but not seven days a week.
Commissioner Benedetto indicated that he’s heard complaints about people loitering in Coe Park, kids riding bicycles over the flowers, kids on skate boards, and people throwing cigarette butts on the ground. He thought it would be nice to have a police officer walk the park.
Chief Milano made note of this matter.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT #1130
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, the board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for August 2008.
EMERGENCY MGT. COORD’S. REPORT #1145
No Emergency Management Coordinator’s Report was available.
Mayor Bingham noted that a citywide training session for all department heads on the new emergency management software was successful. He noted that the EOC looks great at little or no cost to city taxpayers, and the residents of Torrington should consider themselves on the forefront of being prepared for an emergency.
Mayor Bingham noted that he and the chiefs were scheduled to go to Texas for IMUC (Enhanced Incident Management Unified) training, but it may be rescheduled because the hotels were filled with people displaced from Hurricane Ike.
BUS: DEPT. HEADS #1225
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Gerald Zordan, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Milano advised the board that copies of the Donovan report have been released to the Register Citizen and the Republican American as a mediated end to a F.O.I. complaint.
Deputy Chief Maniago reported that the two new Expeditions are now on patrol.
Chief Field reported that they had the distinct pleasure of recognizing former firefighter Dan Kibbe as “Hometown Hero” for the Elks.
Chief Field stated that they will be starting a strategic plan at the end of this month, and Commissioner Potter has stepped forward to join them in the process along with a retired chief who has volunteered his time to be facilitator.
Chief Field thanked the board for their concern and commitment in choosing where the leadership of the Torrington Fire Department is headed in the future.
Deputy Chief Giampaolo also thanked the board for their leadership.
BUS: VOLUNTEER DEPTS. #1315
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais indicated that the Stop and Shop project is underway and Torringford volunteers are currently negotiating with Stop & Shop to get a rear access driveway. The easement has been granted. Torringford volunteers will seek donations, grants, etc. as soon as they get cost estimates from the developer.
Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous inquired about the pond on Mountain Road.
Mayor Bingham indicated that our city staff and the chiefs have been discussing the matter of dry hydrants and if it’s something the city wants to pursue, funds will have to be budgeted.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #1510
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the board voted unanimously to consider business by Mayor Bingham and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Benedetto expressed his concern over emergency vehicles being left at the firehouse. Because the chiefs and deputy chiefs are on call 24/7, they need their cars with them wherever they are so they don’t have to drive to the firehouse to pick them up before going to an emergency. He noted that the Council voted on the policy, but since the Board of Public Safety oversees the Police and Fire Departments, shouldn’t they have a say as to when they use these vehicles or what they use these vehicles for?
Mayor Bingham noted that the policy did not keep the chiefs and deputy chiefs from taking their vehicles home. The policy exists for personal use. The Council set the policy because the chiefs and deputy chiefs are Management Resolution employees.
Chief Field explained that he uses his own personal vehicle to drive back and forth to work. Due to the policy change where they were not allowed to use the city vehicle for personal use, he had to purchase another vehicle. Because of that purchase, he doesn’t have room for the city vehicle in his driveway. He added that they thought the use of city vehicles for personal use was part of accepting the chief and deputy chiefs’ positions.
Commissioner Robert Zordan agreed that the chiefs and deputies should have access to their city vehicles 24 hours a day, whether they’re home, at a restaurant, etc.
Mayor Bingham said he would take the matter under advisement and they’ll discuss it further. This is the first time he’s heard any negative reaction to the new policy. He will relay the Board of Safety’s sentiments to the City Council, as requested.
Commissioner Zaharek stated that he was impressed by the CERT competition that recently took place in Avon, West Hartford and Simsbury.
Commissioner Gerald Zordan expressed his concern over traffic signals being out of order on East Main Street. It was his understanding that a traffic light out of order is to be considered a stop sign. He thought more publicity should be done to make people aware of what they should do.
Officer Shopey indicated that he has contacted the Traffic Engineering Department at DOT and they agreed that a traffic light out of order should be considered as a four-way stop, but they were unable to supply him with the proper documentation so it could be published in the newspaper. It used to be part of a state statute, but somewhere along the line, no one knows where it went. The DOT has assured Officer Shopey that they will get back to him in the next few days. When one or two signals are down, they have adequate signs to make it a four-way stop, but they don’t have the equipment to use on ten or twelve sets of signals, like East Main Street.
Chief Milano said they will set the course of action on this matter either by a local ordinance or by lobbying the legislature, or both, as soon as they hear from the DOT.
Commissioner Cook inquired whether they were making any headway with the new dispatch center.
Chief Milano indicated that they visited the Bristol dispatch center this morning, and they feel they’re on the right track in basically copying what Bristol has, because their operation is top notch. He noted that Bristol has offered to share their training manuals, and their policies and procedures with Torrington.
Commissioners Cook and Robert Zordan said they believed they were appointed to the Committee for the Dispatch Center and would have appreciated being advised of their meeting with Bristol. They both asked to be included in the future.
Mayor Bingham indicated that Shred-It Day will take place next Saturday in front of the Library and everyone is encouraged to recycle their paperwork.
Mayor Bingham asked the board to please return phone calls made by the City Clerk’s Office.
ADJOURNMENT #2335
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:20 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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