MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
May 4, 2011
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, in the City Hall Auditorium.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver, members of the Board of Public Safety Douglas Benedetto, James Potter, Darlene Battle and Christopher Cook, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Fire Chief John Field, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Deputy Fire
Chief Gary Brunoli, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Ken Marques, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous, Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco, and Fleet Manager Emil Castro.
Commissioner Angelo LaMonica was absent and Commissioner Richard Zaharek arrived at 6:34 p.m.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 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 April, 2011.
25 YEARS SERVICE: Bruce Whiteley
Chief Maniago gave Lieutenant Bruce Whiteley a plaque for 25 years of service, and said he has served in a variety of capacities including patrol, detective, and shift command. Chief Maniago added that Lt. Whiteley is a U.S. Marine and
an outstanding Police Officer.
POLICE OFFICER PROBATION COMPLETE: Brandon Kelley
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Probationary Officer Brandon Kelley as a Regular Member of the Torrington Police Department after successfully completing his probationary period. Chief Maniago added that Officer Kelley has done an outstanding job.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to open
the meeting to the public. There was no one who wished to speak.
PURCHASE POLICE INTERCEPTORS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Fleet manager, Emile Castro and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco to award the purchase of two (2) Ford Police Interceptors from Crowley Ford, LLC of Plainville, CT for $57,244.00 and forward it to City Council and Board of Finance for approval. Commissioner Benedetto asked if any fuel efficient vehicles were considered. Mr. Castro said the research has not been completed. Chief Maniago said that before the next purchase is made, the new models will be test-driven to see which best fits our needs. He noted the Torrington topography may decrease fuel efficiency with all the hills. Mr. Castro added that the City is only paying $2.80 per gallon for gasoline. In answer to Commissioner Cook’s
question, Chief Maniago said these two purchases are to replace two 2004 vehicles with 120,000 miles that are due to be replaced according to the Vehicle Replacement Plan. Mr. Castro said they are slated to be replaced every six to seven years at 100,000 miles. Commissioner Benedetto said 120,000 is not a lot of mileage and asked if this figure could be stretched. Mr. Castro said it could be seen as 240,000 engine miles, when idle hours are included. Chief Maniago added that police cars are driven by three different people every day of the week in all weather and all kinds of conditions. In answer to Commissioner Battle’s question, Mr. Castro said these cars may be traded in, but usually they are decommissioned and sent out to auction.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Maniago's Report for March, 2011. Commissioner Benedetto asked for a copy of the results from the Underage Drinking Task Force, including manhours.
OFFICER SHOPEY’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s Report for March, 2011.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the $331,000 in unpaid parking tickets with no boot letters sent.
Officer Shopey said that although boot letters weren’t sent, other letters have been sent via the ticket processing system so he’s unable to track how many, but estimated about 150 letters last month. Letters are sent two days a week, for the entire six hour day, to those who owe less than $100 right now, he said, whereas the booting is for those who owe more than $100.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Chief’s report for April, 2011.
Commissioner Potter asked about Chief Field’s meeting with Torrington Water Company. Chief Field replied the Water Company’s fees are regulated by DPUC, but they were very open for discussion. He said they talked about their contribution to the City on the revenue side through property taxes and about hydrant maintenance. They are willing to look into marking the hydrants for deep snow. Mayor Bingham noted that clearing hydrants is a homeowner’s responsibility. Chief Field said the Torrington Water Company is willing to work with the City on metering certain occasions.
Chief Potter asked if this report included the pump-outs for the rain storm. Deputy Chief Brunoli said it started around 10 p.m. on March 6th through March 8th. Chief Field said they average about a hundred calls per month for that.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Brunoli's Report for April, 2011.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT CONT’D
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the tanker due to arrive June 1st and sending it to a show. Deputy Chief Brunoli said the Drakeville personnel will go for training, and if training isn’t complete they will show the tanker since it couldn’t be used anyway. Commissioner Potter said he thinks it would be a good learning opportunity for Drakeville and they have enough manpower to cover it. Chief Maccalous said this is the first he’s heard of it, but it most likely would not be a problem. Commissioner Benedetto said the only problem he would have would be if the truck were in service because we bought it to use it, not to show it. Mayor Bingham noted he did not hear any objections.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal's Report for March, 2011.
TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer's Report for April, 2011.
FIRE DEPT. STRATEGIC PLAN
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Fire Department Strategic Plan 2010 – 2015.
Commissioner Battle asked about progress in the Goals and Action Item “attain accreditation from the Center of Public Safety”. Chief Field said this is constantly in progress, and is always taken in consideration when purchasing equipment or doing different things operationally. The accreditation will take some funding, he said, and he doesn’t have this in his budget. He is also working on increasing the reliability and utilization of volunteer staffing. He said they haven’t done much with the last Action Item “enhance code compliance inspections”, but will look at it as they go forward.
Commissioner Potter said this is a good way to bring everybody to the same table and do things that will make their job easier. He said it’s a good plan, and if everybody cooperates, it will work out very well.
Commissioner Cook asked if the volunteers were included in the creation of the plan. Chief Field said they tried to include everybody in the plan and had input from everybody.
Commissioner Battle asked what SOG stood for. Chief Field said Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, then clarified that it stood for Standard Operating Guidelines.
Mayor Bingham said his hat goes off to the Chief for all the work he put into it. Chief Field said all the people who participated in creating the plan deserve the credit.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for March, 2011.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Director’s Report for March, 2011.
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 said there are a few events coming up in May including Special Olympics Tip-A-Cop, Police Explorer’s Pasta Supper, PAL’s Annual Golf Tournament, and a Motorcycle Ride and Picnic for Retired Police Officer Fred Schapp.
Chief Maniago said the new Police Department website should be online within a week and it should open up lines of communications.
Deputy Chief Brunoli said they are still training on Engine 4, along with the new ladder. The Tanker should arrive around the first of June. The Dispatch project is moving along well and he’s hoping to meet the timeline.
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments. There was no new business to report.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
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 Zaharek asked about the accreditation process and its projected costs. Chief Field said around $5,000 or $6,000 initially.
Commissioner Benedetto said the Board of Public Safety voted to reinstate two firefighter positions but the City took them out again. Mayor Bingham said we are looking at a large budget deficit, and every department has been asked to make cuts. Chief Field said there is nowhere else to take the cut from. Commissioner Benedetto said a lot of time and effort was put into this, and the whole Board voted on it. Mayor Bingham said these are his recommendations because his goal is to get to a flat mill rate and these are the cuts that need to be made. He said these are not matters that the Board of Public Safety has ever been involved in because he has a Board of Finance and City Council to do that. Commissioner Potter said these positions are already open and cutting them would prevent having to lay somebody off.
Chief Maniago listed the cuts he was able to make so far, and said he has great faith in his officers and staff who will have the safety of the public and the city uppermost in their minds. Mayor Bingham said it will be a source of pride if we can avoid major layoffs in emergency personnel like other cities across the State and Country.
Commissioner Benedetto noted there was another accident at Price Chopper and asked Officer Shopey to keep working on getting the arrow painted there.
Commissioner Potter thanked both Departments for the very large pill they’ve had to swallow to make the budget work.
Commissioner Cook said he agrees they’ve done a great job, and asked if cuts could be considered to the Emergency Management Department. Mayor Bingham said it could be considered if it comes down to that.
In answer to Commissioner Cook’s question, Chief Field said there are two retirements coming in July.
Commissioner Battle agreed she doesn’t want to see anyone cut. She commended the Police Department for their good work finding a missing boy.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:21 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC Assistant City Clerk
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