MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
AUGUST 3, 2011
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, August 3, 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 Angelo LaMonica, Douglas Benedetto, James Potter, Darlene
Battle and Christopher Cook, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick,
Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Officer Steven Pisarski, Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Ken Marques, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief James Newkirk and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous. Commissioner Richard Zaharek, and Emergency Management Director Rick Dalla Valle were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PRESENTATION – OUTSTANDING OFFICER AWARD
Chief Maniago presented the Outstanding Officer Award for August to Officer Dustin Baldis, a member
of the Accident Investigation Team, the Underage Drinking Unit and a Field Training Officer. Chief Maniago
said Officer Baldis went above and beyond minimum standards and requirements, especially in his
relationships with his peers, supervisors and the command staff. He said Officer Baldis is an outstanding representative in the community for our Police Dept.
PRESENTATION – 24 YRS. SVC., Officer Shopey
Chief Maniago presented a 25 Years Dedicated Service plaque to Officer Robert Shopey, an integral part of everything seen in traffic in the City, a key member of the Accident Investigation Team, an Accident Reconstructionist, a Fire Chief in Winsted, a certified Fire Marshal, and a master of many trades. His institutional knowledge is very valuable, he said, and thanked him for 25 years of service.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held July 6, 2011.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one who wished to speak.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Chief’s report dated July 28, 2011.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the animal calls on the incident report, and requested the Policy Subcommittee meet to discuss what calls the Fire Department will respond to.
He inquired about Engine 4 being out of service again. Deputy Chief Brunoli explained it had a small leak in the water tank and is being repaired under warrantee.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the "fly car", and Chief Field reminded him that a couple of months are needed to evaluate it. Commissioner Potter suggested the Policy Subcommittee look at that issue too.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about EMS calls, saying the report indicates none. Commissioner Potter said the EMS report said six under cardiac. Deputy Chief Brunoli said some calls may be entitled "Assist Other Agency" and it depends on how the call comes in. Commissioner Benedetto asked for a better explanation in the report. Deputy Chief Brunoli said every narrative would have to be read which would take some time. Commissioner Benedetto suggested the Policy Subcommittee look at this too.
Commissioner Cook summarized what was said, saying the Policy Subcommittee is not redefining, but trying to get a clearer understanding of what each category needs. Chief Field said an explanation breakdown was distributed a few months back, and invited the Board to visit and look through the narratives.
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 July 26, 2011.
Deputy Chief Brunoli said LCD is up and running smoothly, with very few issues, and with a project conclusion in the next three weeks. He invited the Board to the Open House/Dedication on September 7th at 10:00 am.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that voices are hard to hear on the radio. Deputy Chief Brunoli replied that digital is different, and NW Communications is working on the problem.
Commissioner Cook asked what fine tuning needs to be done before September 7th. Deputy Chief Brunoli said they are finishing up the front lobby part, some switches, railings, and basement security locks.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal's Report for June, 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 dated July 26, 2011.
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 June, 2011.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if the Amnesty Program was included in the monthly report of $2500 in parking ticket fines collected, with 200 boot letters sent out. Chief Maniago said 307 tickets for a total of $3,825.90 were collected in the Amnesty Program. He said careful consideration must be given to whether or not to repeat this program in the future, as people will then wait until the Amnesty Program is in effect before paying their parking tickets.
Commissioner Benedetto said the boot campaign should be stepped up, as that will be more effective.
Commissioner Potter asked if boots can only be attached by a Police Officer. Officer Shopey said a civilian wouldn't have the ability to take any enforcement action if there's a problem.
Mayor Bingham asked about the fast-paced license readers purchased by the Regional Emergency Management group. Chief Maniago said every Department of a certain size is eligible to get one, and it will read wanted persons, wanted cars, and any information that is in the computer. Mayor Bingham said that might be a significant tool in locating these outstanding vehicles. Chief Maniago added that it would be nice to have the majority of the fleet outfitted.
Commissioner Potter noted that 200 boot letters went out last month, and asked when they will be acted on. Officer Shopey said he needed to wait for the Amnesty Program to end, and will now start working on them.
Commissioner Benedetto asked why there was a huge difference in meter collection, as it varies from month to month by as much as $4000. Officer Shopey said it depends on when it's collected during the month and whether or not the money in the meters gets wet.
OFFICER SHOPEY’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s Reports for May and June 2011.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Director’s Report for June, 2011.
Commissioner Cook noted that on June 10th, the EMD responded to a medical issue at the Burmor Apartments, and asked if that is something an EMD would typically do. Mayor Bingham said this was a scenario where a large group of people potentially needed to be relocated during a power outage. Chief Field added that the EMD would be a key player in a large movement or evacuation of people.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for June, 2011.
BUS: DEPT HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago reported that current renovations at the dog pound are complete.
Mr. Rosa reported that the new sprinter ambulance is on board.
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS.
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Burrville Chief Ken Marques reported that they lost some hose in a hose test, and thanked Torrington for giving them some lengths of hose. They just received and distributed brand new gear purchased with grant money.
Drakeville Chief Mike Maccalous announced that Tanker 38 is now in service.
Torringford Chief Jim Newkirk reported that last month's car show was very successful, they have a deal in the works to eliminate Engine 14, training has been going well, and by January they should be back up to ten Black Helmet Firefighters.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner LaMonica said the Neighborhood Watch event was very nice, and interesting.
Commissioner Benedetto agreed that it was a good time. He said he'd like to see it held downtown with a cookout. He noted that there was another accident at the intersection of Price Chopper and Rt. 202. He asked if the Mayor's office has contacted our State Representatives. Mayor Bingham said he's tried to get them to come to the last four City Council meetings. Commissioner Benedetto said it's getting very dangerous there, and we've had this problem for 7 years. Officer Shopey said he could call the DOT, State Traffic Commission, but it all falls back to the property owner. He said it's hard to force them, unless we go back to a hearing and try for some modifications. Commissioner Benedetto asked for a list of all the accident reports for that intersection, suggesting if a
presentation were made to the State, maybe they would act on it. Officer Shopey said part of the issue is striping and signing. Mayor Bingham offered to help talk to the property owner. Commissioner Cook said he thinks the liability would switch back on to the property owner. Officer Shopey said the State didn't mandate a change, it recommended one. He reviewed the permit modification process, including petitioning the State Traffic Commission. The State completed its responsibility, he said, but didn't follow through with the property owner.
Commissioner Potter thanked Drakeville and Torringford for the invitation to their annual dinners, Drakeville for the invitation to their new tanker dedication, and Officer Pietrafesa and Marianne Barbieri for the invitation to the National Night Out.
Commissioner Battle thanked Officer Pietrafesa for coming to their first Block Watch meeting, and all who stopped in during National Night Out as her community was excited to have everyone there to hear their issues.
Mayor Bingham agreed it was a good night, and a chance to see the impacts of the decisions made by the Board, and hear from the residents.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:09 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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