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Minutes 06/10/2009

MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
JUNE 10, 2009
A REGULAR  MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday,
June 10, 2009, in the Main Room of the Senior Center.

Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, members of the Board of Public Safety Gerald A. Zordan, Richard L. Zaharek, Douglas J. Benedetto, and James E. Potter,  Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Stephen Nocera, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous, and Burrville Fire Chief Ken Marques. Commissioners Christopher Cook and Robert Zordan were absent.

Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.


MINUTES #12
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held May 13, 2009.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #18
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner G. Zordan, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.

Retired Deputy Fire Chief Jaye Giampaolo stated his concerns regarding a newspaper article in the Republican American containing comments made by Commissioner Benedetto. Mr. Giampaolo said the article discussed his personnel matters, attacked him, and vilified him for alleged sick time abuse, among other things.
He said there has been a negative campaign waged against the Chiefs of our public safety entities. Because of these unethical and harassing matters, Mr. Giampaolo said he can see no other way except to consider the possibility of a lawsuit if the Board doesn't see fit to admonish this kind of behavior.

Mr. Giampaolo explained that Personnel information is typically left up to the Chiefs, the Mayor, and the City Attorney in executive session. He said that Commissioner Benedetto feels he can discuss Mr. Giampaolo’s personal information in the newspaper. Mr. Giampaolo said Commissioner Benedetto was wrong in his speculation, and challenged him to show what he has done for this city. He said Commissioner Benedetto's attacks were unprovoked and unethical.

Retired Fire Chief Giampaolo said he will follow through with a law suit for slander, harassment, charter and ethics violations unless he hears that this matter is an isolated occurrence.  He said he is astounded to have been victimized and vilified by a public official.  Mr. Giampaolo said it is not acceptable behavior by a board official or any city official to attack their employees in the newspaper and he hopes for more positive and productive conversations in the future.  

Mayor Bingham directed Mr. Giampaolo to put his requests in writing.

Mr. Giampaolo said slanderous remarks such as what Mr. Benedetto made against him (Mr. Giampaolo) need to be defended and his lawyer is willing to do that.

Mayor Bingham said he wants to know how to make it right and avoid a law suit.

Corporation Counsel Weaver said she needs to see the articles being referred to and review the background.

Mr. Giampaolo said he would provide WZBG's tape, along with a tape of Jeff Zeiner's Neighborhood News.
POLICE PROMOTIONS: D. CARVALHO #320
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to promote Officer Daniel Carvalho to Patrolman C as a regular member of the Torrington Police Department effective 6/2/09.

Chief Maniago added that Officer Carvalho performed very well, received good remarks from supervisors, gets along well with his peers, and represents the Department very well.
FIREFIGHTER TURNOUT GEAR #338
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent and the Fire Department’s recommendation to purchase 35 sets of Firefighter Turnout Gear from Shipman's Fire Equipment Co., Inc., for $1,554.65 per set with a total amount of $54,412.75 from the capital fund account.

DISCUSSION: DRAKEVILLE APPARATUS PURCHASE #370
Mayor Bingham said he reviewed the protocols for apparatus purchase by volunteer fire departments and they are waiting for approval from the Fire Service Coordination Committee. He said there is $75,000 in the account earmarked specifically for volunteers' equipment.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT #453
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Fields Report for May 2009.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT #463
On a motion by Commissioner G. Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshals Report for May 2009.
TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT #470
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officers Report for May 2009.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT #480
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner G. Zordan, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Maniagos Report for May 2009.

Commissioner G. Zordan asked about the amount of stolen property and Chief Maniago said he will get more information on this. Commissioner G. Zordan asked about the increased traffic enforcement. Chief Maniago replied that it leads to a multitude of different things such as catching uninsured or unregistered vehicles, and finding drugs or weapons in the cars. He said he expects the number of traffic violations will increase.
Commissioner Benedetto inquired about the unpaid parking fines to date, as he didn't see collection letters being sent out.  Officer Shopey replied that he'd been on vacation and they are seven weeks behind in deposits. He said their average is $3300 per week.
TRAFFIC REPORT #633
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner G. Zordan, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey's Monthly Traffic Report for May 2009.
EMS PROVIDER REPORTS #641
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for May 2009.      
ADD TO AGENDA #650
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner G. Zordan, the Board voted unanimously to consider business in Section B.
MUTUAL AID ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT #656
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement between Waterbury, Danbury, Torrington, and Region #5 NW Regional Hazardous Materials Team and recommend it to the City Council.  

Chief Field explained that this agreement is designed for those cities to help each other out during major hazardous material incidents above and beyond our handling capabilities. He said Waterbury and Danbury, because of their size, manufacturing facilities, and highways, have a greater chance of this type of incident occurring. He specified there are cancellation and reimbursement clauses included in the agreement.

Chief Field thanked Corporation Counsel Weaver for her work on this with the other towns.
BUS: DEPT HEADS #798
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.

Chief Maniago complimented his staff Dep. Chief Smedick, Capt. Schaller, Capt. Balzano, Lt. Newkirk, Lt. Whitely, Off. Shopey for their work on additional budget cuts.

Chief Field announced a union motorcycle ride this weekend. Last weekend he sent a Decon Trailer with a repeater set up to assist with the triathlon in Middlebury.

BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS #859
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner G. Zordan, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments.

Drakeville Chief Maccalous reminded the Board of Drakeville VFD's upcoming 60th Anniversary Dinner.

BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #899
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.

Commissioner Benedetto  asked for, and received, a progress report on the following:
  • the top of Kennedy Drive, turning left while traveling north
  • the bottom of East Main Street on Rt. 4
  • the leaning sign at Walmart
Commissioner Benedetto stated that firefighters should not be working on projects, doing carpentry work, painting or doing contracting work inside the firehouse.

Mayor Bingham said there will be upcoming meetings to consider additional public safety budget cuts.
ADJOURNMENT #1038
On a motion by Commissioner G. Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:32 p.m.

ATTEST:  JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
                 CITY CLERK

Respectfully Submitted,

Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk