MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
August 11, 2010
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, in the City Hall Auditorium.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan Bingham, members of the Board of Public Safety Richard Zaharek, James Potter, Christopher Cook, Douglas Benedetto and Darlene Battle, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Fire Chief John Field, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Ken Marques, Treasurer Arthur Mattiello, Fleet Manager Emil Castro, Comptroller Alice Proulx and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 2, 2010.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mr. Tim Thibault addressed the Board regarding Stillwater Pond Road, saying it is a young adult hangout, with as many as 25 cars parked on the east side of the road. He said there are no turnarounds, yet some do try, causing risk for unsuspecting oncoming drivers. Mr. Thibault said the rest turn around in the first driveway north of this area, which is his, resulting in as many as 20 cars a night in his driveway, causing property damage, littering, and foul language. He said that after several calls to the police department, this is still a nightly occurrence, which has severely diminished his quality of life on his own property.
Mr. Thibault asked the board to recommend that “No Parking” signs be added to east side of Stillwater Pond Road as well. Mayor Bingham invited Mr. Thibault to add his input to the discussion later in the meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: PERSONNEL
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously at 6:40 pm to enter executive session under personnel, inviting Chief Maniago and Deputy Chief Smedick.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 6:50 pm.
HIRE POLICE OFFICER: Gonska
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to hire Matthew Gonska as a Probationary Police Officer.
ARCH. CONSULTANT: DISPATCH CTR. DESIGN
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Deputy Fire Chief and the Purchasing Agent to award the Architectural Consultant to Design Emergency Operation Dispatch Center contract to Jacunski Humes Architects, LLC of Berlin, CT in the amount of $12,800.
Deputy Chief Brunoli explained that he is trying to put this out to bid September 1st.
FORD EXPLORER: POLICE CHIEF
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and the Fleet Manager to purchase a 2010 Ford Explorer for the Chief of Police from MHQ Municipal Headquarters, West Hartford, CT in the amount of $26,579 from the Vehicle Replacement Fund.
FOUR POLICE INTERCEPTORS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and the Fleet Manager to purchase four (4) Police Interceptors for the Police Department from Bonnell Motors, Inc. of Winchester, MA in the amount of $29,630.00 per vehicle ($118,520.00 total) from the Vehicle Replacement Fund with detailing performed by Write Way Signs of Torrington for a total detailing cost of $2,316.00.
Mayor Bingham explained that anything over $100,000 automatically goes before the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board, which has reviewed these items and recommended their approval.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Maniago's Report for May and June 2010 and Officer Shopey's Monthly Communication Report for May, June and July 2010.
Commissioner Benedetto questioned the lack of boot letters, and the reduction in fines collection. Chief Maniago explained the civilian clerks have been trained for the retired traffic clerk’s duties, as that position has been eliminated from the budget. Each of three clerks will work one day per week in the Traffic Dept. with Officer Shopey and light duty officers as well. Mayor Bingham commended the Chief and his staff for making this reduction work. Commissioner Potter said his concern is paying good money for certified police officers to do clerical work, which is not what they were hired to do. Officer Shopey said he balances the funds on Fridays, keeping the continuity of that task to himself. He said there has also been a software change with the parking tickets which will bring them up to date soon.
NO PARKING: STILLWATER POND ROAD
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to install “No Parking” signs on the west edge of Stillwater Pond Road from the bridge to the 500-block of homes.
Officer Shopey explained the problem of vehicles parking on both sides of the street, by people going to Stillwater Pond. He said one or both sides had been posted as “No Parking” in the past but the signage that’s left is sporadic and not really enforceable. The road is very windy and curvy, and he recommended the elimination of parking on the west side of the road; he isn’t opposed to eliminating parking on both sides, but pointed out that there is no other parking up there. Mr. Thibault said if parking was only eliminated on one side, his problems would increase. Commissioner Cook suggested the “No Parking” be seasonal. Officer Shopey said it would be more difficult to enforce. Commissioner Potter asked what activities are there. Mr. Thibault said there are no marked trails, a beach area that is posted “No Swimming” and that opening day of fishing season is crazy, but what he’s most worried about is the vandalism and loitering. Commissioner Benedetto asked what enforcement has
been done, who owns the pond, and if it’s posted “No Trespassing”. He said the “No Parking” sign isn’t going to eliminate all the problems.
Mayor Bingham said the first step is to limit the both-sides parking to allow for safer passage on Stillwater Pond Road. He suggested the area be looked at during the next month. Commissioner Potter recommended “No Loitering” signs and Commissioner Cook asked what will happen if there’s no parking on the west side. Officer Shopey explained that the cars will still need to turn around in Mr. Thibault’s driveway, unless it’s “No Parking” up past his property, for a half mile from the bridge. Commissioner Benedetto suggested “No Parking” on one side, beefing up the patrols in that area and reporting back next month. Officer Shopey said it’s State property, and doesn’t know about our authority to post “No Loitering” signs. He said there’s no shoulder there, yet
there haven’t been any accidents to his knowledge.
Commissioner Cook asked for a clarification of the motion, Mayor Bingham said it’s to install “No Parking” signs on the west edge of Stillwater Pond Road and revisit it after further investigation.
Commissioner Zaharek asked if the State or the City would be liable should a traffic accident occur and whose jurisdiction it is. Officer Shopey said it depends on the cause of the accident, such as line-of-sight. Commissioner Zaharek asked about jurisdiction for the area where loitering occurs. Officer Shopey said the roadway belongs to the City, the west-side property is owned by the State.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Field's Report, Deputy Chief Brunoli's Report, Fire Marshal's Report, and Training Officer's Report for the time periods indicated on their reports.
EMS PROVIDER REPORTS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for May and June 2010.
BUS: DEPT HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Deputy Chief Smedick reported on the successful 5th annual Cops and Kids Day with 300 children and family members in attendance, along with the Mayor’s Committee on Youth, Officer Pietrafesa, and other volunteers.
Chief Maniago said the Command Staff went to a one week FBI LEEDA Command School in June with 31 other Command Officers from CT and MA.
Chief Field informed the Board about the Diesel Exhaust System which has been installed and completed, and was acquired with grant money. They’ve received another grant for a new generator for both the existing building and the new addition which is a 75/25 match. He is requesting that the bid process be waived since they have a very strict timeline. Chief Field said the overall price will be $116,400, but will cost the City only $29,000.
Chief Field (Cont’d) The existing generator is approximately 50 or 60 years old, and its replacement is a necessity, he said. Commissioner Cook said he doesn’t like ‘waiving’. Chief Field explained that the chosen vendor is also removing the old generator. Deputy Chief Brunoli said this has to be ordered on Tues. Aug. 17th.
Deputy Chief Brunoli said that due to time constraints and the vendors’ intimate knowledge of our systems and process, he recommended authorization of the use of specific vendors. Commissioner Potter asked how we know they will give us the best price possible. Deputy Chief Brunoli said we don’t know, but they are already helping to design the system.
Commissioner Cook spoke in favor of sticking to the bid process. Deputy Chief Brunoli said he’s looking at the timeline and that he has to account for every dollar in the grant. Commissioner Benedetto said they have confidence in him. Commissioner Potter said it’s up to City Council, but without a bid, we’ll never know if we’re getting the best price. Commissioner Cook asked if there were any communication bids in the past that could be compared to these figures. Purchasing Agent Zucco said these vendors have been working with the City, and that the IT Dept. would recommend them. Commissioner Cook asked to revisit this in September. Commissioner Potter had it clarified that 1.773 million is covered by grants except $133,000 and a $29,000 match. He asked what budget the $133,000 is coming from. Deputy Chief Brunoli
said he will determine this soon, along with the Mayor and Comptroller, and that there are capital funds set aside for renovations. Mayor Bingham said there are in-kind donations for some of them, and for the last few years they’ve been budgeting for dispatch center upgrades. Commissioner Potter said if City Council is comfortable waiving the bid process, he is as well.
Chief Field reported on EMD grants received, with reimbursement monies for the new EOC that will go into the addition and $5,000 worth of newly purchased equipment reimbursed through Homeland Security. He said there will be a regional amateur radio exercise on Saturday. Mayor Bingham said interviews were made to fill the vacant EMD position and he hopes to have a person appointed by September.
Deputy Chief Brunoli said he submitted a letter commending Equipment Maintenance staff for the effort they made repairing an alternator to get a ladder truck back in service for the weekend. He said since Emil has been the Fleet Manager, it’s been good for the Fire Department.
He added that from August 23 through the 28th he will be in Chicago for an International Fire Chiefs conference along with the Chief and four Lieutenants. Deputy Chief Brunoli continued to say the tanker bids have been opened, and they will recommend a purchase soon.
Director of Operations Rosa said their volume continues to increase and they appreciate the Fire Dept.’s help. He said his major concern is that their contract is up as of July 1st . Mayor Bingham said they’d discuss it under lease negotiations in executive session, and have ongoing communications with Bill Campion.
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Torringford thanked everyone who attended their Car Show, which was a big boost to the City and a nice fundraiser. He said the parts are on order for the traffic light’s Opticom system at the Torringford/East Main intersection, which will help prevent potential accidents as the fire trucks pull out.
Burrville had no report.
Drakeville thanked Deputy Chief Brunoli for all the work he has done on the tanker.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the possibility of a blinking sign at Torringford VFD. Officer Shopey said the biggest issue is that it’s a state highway. The problem with a blinking sign, he said, is that the State will probably make us buy it, and how we would power it is unknown. Off. Shopey said it’s something that could happen, and offered to see if he can get the state to start looking into it. Commissioner Benedetto suggested the siren be considered again. Off Shopey reassured him that the Opticom system may eliminate the problem as it turns lights red on all sides to empty out all cars in that area.
In reply to Commissioner Benedetto’s question, Chief Maniago said the officers on Water Street are on extra duty work; they are required by the grant they’re working under and the contractor pays for them. Chief Field said they open the road for the Fire Dept.
Commissioner Potter thanked Drakeville VFD and Torringford VFD for the invitation to their annual dinner and reported that National Night Out was a great time.
Commissioner Cook also reported that National Night Out was a great time, commended Mr. Castro for doing a great job as Fleet Manager.
Mayor Bingham said there will be an Acting Mayor in his place at the September meeting.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously
to add to the agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Lease Negotiations
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to enter executive session under lease negotiations at 7:54 pm.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 8:08 pm.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:09 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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