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Minutes 04/12/2010 Approved
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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL & WPC AUTHORITY AND THE BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY APRIL 12, 2010
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A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING of the City Council & WPC Authority and the Board of Public Safety was held on Monday, April 12, 2010, in the Senior Center Main Room.
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Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Rick Dalla Valle, Paul Samele, Jr., Elinor Carbone, Thomas Jerram, and Drake Waldron, 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, Lt. Michael Emanuel, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Board of Finance Members Laurene Pesce and Wendy Traub, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Maccalous, City Clerk Joseph Quartiero and Comptroller Alice Proulx. Councilor Marie Soliani and Commissioner Christopher Cook were absent.
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Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. |
DISPATCH #93 Mayor Bingham explained the proposed budget of $676,341 was cut to $448,148 and includes plans to combine and regionalize the Police and Fire Dispatch Centers. Chief Maniago said he took EMD training out of the Police budget, put it in the Dispatch budget and Ms. Proulx said there are changes to FICA as well, bringing the Dispatch budget to $449,947.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Dispatch budget of $449,947.
Chief Maniago clarified for Councilor Dalla Valle that the furniture and fixtures line item is in addition to monies previously approved, and that the Dispatch uniform allowance is to provide a professional appearance. |
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT #283 Mayor Bingham said he is looking for someone to fill this position. On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Emergency Management budget of $33,086.
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FIRE #336 After Mayor Bingham listed his suggested cuts, Councilor Carbone asked about the computer software upgrades. Chief Field explained additional licenses are required to get software out to the computers in the trucks. Commissioner Zordan questioned the apparatus line item and Deputy Chief Brunoli explained these figures are based on recommendations from the Mercury report. Commissioner Potter asked for an explanation of the nutrition program. Chief Field said the wellness-fitness initiative and the random drug testing are contractual obligations. On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Fire Dept. budget of $5,133,972.
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CANINE #621 Chief Maniago listed cuts to this proposed budget, and explained that building renovations have reduced fuel consumption. On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Canine budget of $105,554.
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TRAFFIC #712 Officer Shopey explained the cuts he was able to make. On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Traffic budget of $305,251.
POLICE #822 Chief Maniago updated the Board and Council on the cuts he made. At Commissioner Potter's request, he looked into car wash costs and found they already have lowest price available, and the City will now go out to bid or obtain price quotes for landscaping, phones, and custodial service. Commissioner Benedetto is still concerned about grounds maintenance costs, and asked why the Building Maintenance Dept. doesn't maintain this city building. Mayor Bingham said this could be considered by the Parks and Recreation
Department during their budget review. Commissioner Potter stated he was not in favor of hiring additional staff members and made a motion to tentatively approve this budget with the additional staff line item removed. The motion received no second.
On a motion by Commissioner Zordan, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted 5/2 to tentatively approve the Police budget of $8,246,526, with Commissioners Potter and Benedetto opposed.
Commissioner Benedetto made a motion Building Maintenance Costs be cut by $10,000, seconded by Commissioner Potter, while requesting City Council see if Parks and Recreation can take care of this. Mayor Bingham said this would still be a cost associated with the Police Dept. Councilor Dalla Valla said this shouldn't be expected of Parks and Recreation during their busiest time. Chief Maniago said it will go out to bid. Commissioner Potter withdrew his second.
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PUBLIC SAFETY MISC. #1798 Commissioner Potter suggested equipment compliance testing for the Volunteer Fire Departments be completed as a joint effort with the Career Department, and that annual vehicle testing be coordinated with the City's Equipment Maintenance Dept. He suggested their annual stipend be reduced by $5000. Chief Field said this has the potential for cost savings.
Councilor Dalla Valle said they're having a hard enough time now and it's a bad time to take money away from the Volunteer Fire Depts. Mayor Bingham explained this is not the goal, but rather to offer the Volunteer Fire Departments peace of mind and save them money.
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ADJOURNMENT #2204 On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Board of Public Safety and City Council voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:32 p.m.
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ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC _ CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted, Carol L. Anderson Asst. City Clerk |
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