MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
February 1, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver,
Members of the Board of Public Safety Angelo LaMonica, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, James Potter, Christopher Cook and Darlene Battle, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Campion Ambulance Director of Operations Fred Rosa, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Ken Marques, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief James Newkirk, and Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:58 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 January 4, 2012.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the special telephonic meeting held January 11, 2012.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mr. Paul Rabeuf from CHH extended his thanks to Campion EMS Responders for going above and beyond, saving a newborn baby's life.
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 December, 2011.
OFFICER PISARSKI’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski’s Report for December, 2011.
Commissioner Benedetto noted that unpaid parking tickets have increased by $331,000. Chief Maniago said Officer Pisarski needs time to acclimate to his new job.
POLICE DEPT. PISTOLS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to waive the bid process for the purchase of (90) new 40 cal. Glock model 22RTF2 automatic pistols for Police Department at $129.00 each, after trade-in, to be purchased from Bob's Gun Exchange, Darien, CT, to be paid for through Training Line Item #5223, pending City Council approval.
Chief Maniago said this simple, reliable and easy to maintain weapon is the best choice for them. He said they should be replaced every 5 to 6 years, and they are on their sixth year with their current weapons.
POLICE DEPT. TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Police Dept. Traffic Enforcement Strategy.
Chief Maniago noted that in 2009, 5757 motor vehicle stops were made. In 2011, 9728 were made, proving the officers are out there doing their job. Chief Maniago added that motor vehicle accidents have decreased.
Chief Maniago stated that motor vehicle stops are based on probable cause, reasonable suspicion or noticing a violation. He said racial profiling is not condoned in any way by the Torrington Police Department.
Chief Maniago said that approximately seven towns want to be involved in regional traffic enforcement, which will involve a lot of overtime. At least one day per month each town will receive the task force for special operations for DUI spot checks or specialized enforcement if there's a specific problem. He assured Commissioner Zaharek that this will be done right, with proper fiscal and enforcement management.
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 dated January 25, 2012.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Brunoli's report dated January 25, 2012.
Commissioner Benedetto questioned the eight lockouts this month and the "Public Service" category. Deputy Chief Brunoli said they are processed through the dispatch protocols. Commissioner Potter asked that they be further identified in the reports.
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 November and December, 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 December, 2011.
FIRE DEPT. ANNUAL REPORT
Chief Field said this is a run-down of activity during 2011 including grants, projects, revenue from fees for service, human resource breakdowns, incidents per type and district, number of inspections, code enforcement investigations, how much training was done and what 2012 expectations are.
Mayor Bingham asked what incidents generate invoicing for a call, and Chief Field replied only two -- false alarms and pump outs. He said everything is based on the information taken by dispatch during the call.
Commissioner Benedetto suggested a waiver be signed in case property becomes damaged.
Commissioner Potter asked for a better report on what calls the Volunteer Fire Stations are dispatched to.
FIRE DEPT. E-5 STATUS
Chief Field said they have returned to two engines and a truck, as directed by the Board last month.
He said Engine 5 had been kept as a spare along with Engine 1 and 3. He asked if the Board wants to eliminate Engine 5, as recommended by the Fleet Manager if it won't be used.
Commissioner Potter said it was being kept to discourage the Volunteers from having more than one pumper. He said they aren't due for another pumper replacement for quite a while, and asked if they would end up shortchanging themselves.
Chief Field said it's hard to predict what's going to happen in the future, and he thinks the smartest move would be to get whatever money we can for it. They currently maintain two spares for the City, he said, and with age of fleet right now, he's pretty confident we're in good shape with two spares.
Deputy Chief Brunoli added that the next replacement is Ladder 2 in 2017, and the next pumper replacement is 2019.
Commissioner Potter suggested waiting for the Fire Service Coordination Committee Meeting, as the Volunteer Departments may have a place to put it, and could share it amongst the three Departments.
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 Reports for November and December, 2011.
Mayor Bingham said Mr. Dalla Valle is currently working on reimbursements from the storms.
Commissioner Cook requested that there be more elaborations on the EMD Report.
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 December, 2011.
Commissioner Benedetto asked why there are long response times on some calls. Mr. Rosa said he would look into it and get back to him.
BUS: DEPT HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago said two recruits have started at the Academy and two will start in April.
Chief Field reiterated that operational changes have been made as per the Board's directions last month.
Deputy Chief Brunoli said the SAFER grant program has opened up. He asked the Board's permission to apply for this grant which requires an employee's salary be paid by the City in the 3rd year, after being paid by the grant for the first two. Commissioners Benedetto and Cook, and the Mayor, nodded approval.
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.
Burrville Chief Ken Marques reported that one firefighter graduated from FF1, and three will go attend school at the end of this month.
Drakeville Chief Mike Maccalous said he also has three firefighters going to FF1 at the end of this month.
Torringford Chief Newkirk reported that they also have one firefighter starting FF1 and another member with previous FF1 status has rejoined. He said they have purchased a used rescue truck with funds raised through fundraisers. It is to replace Engine 14 that catastrophically failed a year and a half ago, as well as Utility Truck 16 which is a 1989 vehicle.
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 Cook asked Chief Maniago about the hiring process.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Officer Pisarski about Volkman Lane's signs. Officer Pisarski said the missing One Way sign has been replaced, and the old, faded No Through Traffic sign has been replaced with a Do Not Enter sign. Commissioner Benedetto asked him to check the status of the Kennedy Drive arrow with the State, and asked who is responsible for the corner of East Main Street and Dibble St. Chief Maniago said the State has been maintaining it, and agreed that it is a problem.
Commissioner Battle asked about the signage near Walmart. Commissioner Benedetto said the sign has been reinstalled. Chief Maniago said the painting will be reworked in warmer months.
Commissioner Benedetto asked that Farley Place be painted, and Officer Pisarski said it first needs to be over 60° outside.
Commissioner Zaharek asked if the Police Department is considering any specialized weapons, and Chief Maniago said "No, not at this time."
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Fire Dept. Personnel at 7:54 p.m. inviting Chief Field, Deputy Chief Brunoli and Atty. Weaver.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 8:25 p.m.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
HIRE PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS – B. Mazzarella, M. Easter
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to hire two probationary firefighters, Brian Mazzarella and Michael Easter.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:26 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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