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Minutes 01/12/2010 Approved

        

MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
JANUARY 12, 2010
A REGULAR  MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Tuesday,
January 12, 2010, 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 Darlene Battle, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Fire Chief John Field, and Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli. Commissioner Christopher Cook was absent.

Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

MINUTES #61
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held December 9, 2009.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC #120
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.

POLICE LIEUTENANT ANDERS #126
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to promote Lt. Kerwin Anders as a permanent Lieutenant of the Torrington Police Department, after successful completion of his probationary period. Chief Maniago said he strongly supports this.

PRESENTATION: NEW FIREMEN #141
New Firefighters Robert J. Shopey III and Michael T. Brown were introduced to the Board, and welcomed to the Fire Department.  Konstantin E. Tartakovsky was also welcomed, although not present.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT #194
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field's Reports, Deputy Chief Brunoli's Reports, Fire Marshal's Reports, and Training Officer's Reports for December 2009.

LAKERIDGE LENIENCY DENIED #207
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted against granting leniency to 132 / 166 Old Farms Rd. and against waiving their invoice as requested by Lakeridge in their letter of December 3, 2009. The vote was 1/4 with Commissioner Zordan in favor. Chief Field recounted the false alarm calls made to this establishment, explained what constitutes a false alarm, and said he considers the City Ordinance as a deterrent, meant to encourage residents to fix their alarm problems.

POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT #411
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Maniago's Report for December 2009 and Officer Shopey's Monthly Communication Report for December 2009.
Commissioner Benedetto commended the Traffic Dept. and Detective Bureau on jobs well done. Chief Maniago reported on the Block Watch being formed at the Towers, and that the Community Enhancement group will include the Towers on their patrol.

EMS PROVIDER REPORTS #538
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for December 2009.
     
BUS: DEPT HEADS #550
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.

BUS: DEPT HEADS CONT'D
Deputy Chief Smedick echoed Commissioner Benedetto's sentiments regarding the Traffic Dept. and Detective Bureau.
Chief Maniago said the second bank robbery was solved within 10 hours.  Officer Bernabucci has been selected to fill the investigator's position in the Detective Bureau.
Deputy Chief Brunoli announced Firefighter Jimmy Valentine's retirement.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS #624
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zordan, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.

ADD TO AGENDA #662
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to add to the agenda.

Commissioner Potter said the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board met with Chief Field and Deputy Chief Brunoli to discuss vehicle replacement plans and would like to replace one engine and one van used in Fire Marshal's office. The van would be replaced with a small SUV assigned to the Deputy Chief, and his current car will go to the Fire Marshal's office. Commissioner Potter reported that the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board approved this request.

AUTHORIZE TO BID FIRE PUMPER & SUV #682
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Purchasing Agent, pending City Council approval, to go out to bid for a Pumper and SUV as approved by the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board on January 4, 2010.

BUSINESS BY MAYOR & MEMBERS CONTINUED #764
Commissioner Benedetto thanked Firefighter Valentine for his service to the City, welcomed Commissioner Battle, and asked Officer Shopey about making the light on Kennedy Drive blink in bad weather as there are concerns about cars being unable to stop. Chief Maniago explained sometimes shift activity precludes staff from getting over there right away to put the lights on flash.  Commissioner Benedetto asked Chief Field about hydrant use for filling up the skating rink. Chief Field explained the Torrington Water Company metered that hydrant so the City will have to pay for the 20,000 gal. of water used. He further explained that every time the Fire Dept. hooks into a hydrant, they notify the Water Company. For emergency purposes, it's included in the price for hydrant rental, whereas non-emergency activity is metered.  Mayor Bingham said the cost of water is over a million dollars a year.
Commissioner Zordan said he would like to see the Board of Public Safety have a vote on the Fire and Police contracts, not to preclude the vote of City Council, but in addition to it.  If there are items that will affect how the Board of Public Safety does their job, they'd be aware, and able to offer input. Mayor Bingham said this can be worked out.
Commissioner Potter asked about radio frequencies, Chief Field said they were waiting for FCC finalization. Commissioner Potter asked about the centralized dispatch; Deputy Chief Brunoli said they are still in line for a July 1st start up. Mayor Bingham said formalized documentation from one of the grants was received.

Mayor Bingham suggested meeting on the first Wednesday of the month starting in March at 6:30 p.m. The February meeting will remain on the second Tuesday. The Board agreed.
__________end tape___________
ADJOURNMENT #156  (tape 2)
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:05 p.m.

ATTEST:  JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
                 CITY CLERK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Respectfully Submitted,                                                                                                                        Carol L. Anderson, CCTC                                                                                                             Assistant City Clerk