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Minutes 09/09/09
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MINUTES BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
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A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, September 9, 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 Zordan, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, James Potter, and Christopher Cook, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, Fire Lt. Gary Brunoli, and Volunteer Fire Chiefs Michael Maccalous, Ken Marques, and Lawrence Dauphanias. Commissioner Robert Zordan was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
MINUTES #27 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held August 12, 2009.
MINUTES #36 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting held August 19, 2009. Commissioner G. Zordan abstained.
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OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #45 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. No one wished to speak.
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OATH OF OFFICE: Fire Lt. Doyle, Fire Lt. Sterling #52 Mayor Bingham took the oath of office from Fire Lieutenant Patrick Doyle and Fire Lt. Thomas Sterling.
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FIRE PROMOTIONS: Daniel Matthews #132 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Probationary Firefighter Daniel Matthews to permanent status with the Torrington Fire Department, effective August 25, 2009.
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POLICE PROMOTIONS: Oscar Segui #155 On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Officer Oscar Segui to Patrolman C as a regular member of the Torrington Police Department effective August 24, 2009.
Chief Maniago added that Officer Segui has had good evaluations, works well with others, and is doing a very good job.
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POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT #171 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Maniago's Report for August 2009.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the parking enforcement position. Chief Maniago replied that he is waiting for Personnel to determine the status of the employee out on workmen's comp, and that Patrol has been instructed to hand out meter violations upon observation or upon receipt of complaint. Officer Shopey added that revenue lost is about 25% of normal meter income.
Commissioner Cook asked if the traffic violation figure of 407 is normal for the month. Officer Shopey replied that it is about average.
Commissioner G. Zordan asked about gang training. Chief Maniago said the "James Gang" is a motorcycle gang. Commissioner Benedetto asked if there is special training. Chief Maniago said the academy offers it, with informational meetings held for updates.
Commissioner Potter asked if there is a concern about a lack of parking spaces downtown during the day. Chief Maniago replied the issue was more about the parking enforcement officer dissuading people from parking downtown, than about a lack of spaces. Mayor Bingham added that merchants parking in front of other merchants' stores was a concern for a few people.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the lack of boot letters being sent out. Officer Shopey said the Traffic Department is completely caught up with deposits and motor vehicle files.
Commissioner Cook asked about the Traffic Enforcement Strategy Report he received in the mail. Chief Maniago said if full time traffic enforcement is desired, the overtime situation needs to be addressed.
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ADD TO AGENDA #704
Commissioner Benedetto made a motion to add to the agenda by 2/3 vote. It was seconded by Commissioner Cook and unanimously approved.
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CALHOUN STREET PARKING #718
Officer Shopey recommended that the north edge of Calhoun Street be posted as "No Parking." Mayor Bingham recommended a letter be sent to all affected residents and business owners involved to make them aware of the situation and give them the opportunity to be heard. Commissioner Potter made a motion to table this item, Commissioner Cook seconded, and the motion to table was unanimously approved.
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FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT #962 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field's Report for August 2009.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about Firefighters and Police Officers being dispatched to animal issues instead of the Animal Control Officer. Commissioner Cook added that out of 88 calls, 28 were handled by the Animal Control Officer and 57 by the Patrol Division. Chief Maniago said he is considering additional animal control staff. Commissioner Potter said this indicates a misuse of resources. Commissioner Cook said the work of the Animal Control Officer and his Assistant should be looked into. Chief Maniago said incidents occur when they are off-duty. Commissioner Zaharek asked how many Firefighters respond to each Animal Control call and what kind of animal emergency would require the Fire Dept. Chief Field said, for example, a cat on a power pole, and the need to prevent people from taking inappropriate actions. Commissioner Potter
suggested the Incident Commander be sent out first. Chief Field said he will look into it. Chief Field talked about a new hazardous materials response monitoring device being considered. Through sonar technology products can be assessed and identified in a closed container.
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DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT #1297 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Fire Chief Brunoli's Report for August 2009. Deputy Fire Chief Brunoli reported that the ladder truck is back in service, and reported on the training he received and the grants he's applying for. |
FIRE CHIEF'S WAREHOUSE FIRE REPORT #962 Chief Field gave a detailed presentation on the Warehouse Fire at 200 Litchfield Street that occurred on August 10, 2009. A discussion followed about staff size/number of respondents, training, response time, the combined dispatch, forced entry into Summer St., the ladder truck remote malfunction, the hydrant fittings, and accessing river water.
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FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT #3345 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshals Report for August 2009.
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TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT #3354 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officers Report for August 2009.
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EMS PROVIDER REPORTS #3367 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for August 2009. |
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS #3462 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments.
Drakeville Chief Maccalous had nothing to report
Burrville Chief Marques added that he is working with Deputy Chief Brunoli on coordinating matching equipment between the two departments.
Torringford Chief Dauphanais said they, too, were working on standardizing their engines and equipment. They have 3 candidates in Fire 1 right now, and 6 going to Fire 2. They have a big movement in training and will have Black Helmet training every six months.
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BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #3596 On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if there's a plan in place for occasions when the ladder truck is out of service. Chief Field said other departments know when it is unavailable, and that it is an ongoing problem. Operations have been modified to have an engine company online with ground ladders available. He asked about the walking beat plan. Chief Maniago said it will be predicated on the staffing levels he has. Thirty-five to forty arrests have been made in the Coe Park area since June. ______________________ *** end tape 1 ***
Commissioner Zaharek and Zordan had no report.
Commissioner Potter asked about the number of patrol sectors and the need for a walking beat. Chief Maniago said the calls for service have increased by 2000. Commissioner Potter said he'd rather see a walking patrol of downtown than a parking enforcement officer.
Commissioner Cook clarified that the school resource officer will remain, and asked if a second one will be added. Chief Maniago said he thinks it would be prudent to put one in the Middle School.
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ADJOURNMENT #210 On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:44 p.m. |
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
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Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC Assistant City Clerk |
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