MINUTES Vol. 7 Page 258
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
September 5, 2012
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, September 5, 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, Darlene Battle, James Potter and Christopher Cook, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Acting Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Officer Steven Pisarski, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Andrews, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous, and Torringford Volunteer Firefighter Charles Marciano.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENTATION:
Deputy Police Chief Smedick presented the Outstanding Officer of the Quarter Award to Lt. Kerwin Anders, Commanding Officer of the third shift, who is celebrating his 25th year in the Police Dept. Deputy Chief Smedick said Lt. Anders was chosen by his peers to receive this honor because of his outstanding work for the Special Olympics for the last seven years.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held August 1, 2012. Commissioner Cook abstained.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mary Bagnashi asked what the current method is for the Board of Public Safety to formally respond to her and her complaints. Mayor Bingham said she has every right through the Court system to address the legal issues she has. Ms. Bagnashi said her condition, a fight or flight response to danger, is stress-related and her three false arrests have caused it to resurface from dormancy leaving her fully disabled. Ms. Bagnashi said she will not be discriminated against and will continue to pursue her activities on a federal level.
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 July, 2012. Commissioner Potter thanked the Chief for the new incident report. Commissioner Benedetto asked for an explanation on high and low priority calls, especially low priority calls like threatening, harassment, and drug violations. Deputy Chief Smedick said the majority of those cases are usually misdemeanor cases, but threatening with a handgun, for example, would become a high priority case. Commissioner Benedetto questioned the overtime hours on the schedule, and Deputy Chief Smedick explained that on the weekends there is no one to serve as a replacement. Commissioner Benedetto asked why officers are paid overtime for a random drug test, and what the cost is to
join West Hartford for training. Deputy Chief Smedick said he will get back to him with the answers.
OFFICER PISARSKI’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Pisarski’s Report for July, 2012.
ACTING FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Acting Chief Brunoli's report for July, 2012.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if the combined Volunteer Firefighter group is moving forward.
Acting Chief Brunoli said they met to discuss where they would like to go and what things they would like to do. He said he would like to make a list of equipment needs and split up regional equipment. This will be brought to the Fire Service Coordination Committee.
Commissioner Potter asked about a memo he received regarding the District Response car and asked why Acting Chief Brunoli would want to make a change to something this Board had previously voted on. Acting Chief Brunoli said he talked to his shift commanders about the use of that vehicle, and learned that when the shift commander goes to every call, a lot of decision-making is left for the shift commander. Officers that had been used to making decisions aren't getting decision-making experience so they can learn and grow for the future. Acting Chief Brunoli said with the Board's direction, the shift commander will go out on every two-vehicle response call. Commissioner Potter said the intent of the District Car response was to mitigate everything quicker. He said the Volunteers need to handle their own
calls also, to get their own experience.
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 July, 2012.
TRAINING OFFICER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer's report for July, 2012.
Commissioner Benedetto asked how the combined training is going. Acting Chief Brunoli said it's going very well and they will have an evaluation report for the Board.
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 July, 2012.
Commissioner Potter asked for an arrival time report from LCD on the calls that the Fire Department is responding to, for both the Fire Dept. and Ambulance. He said the Board approved Fire Department response to some additional medical call types, as they may be able to get on the scene quicker to assist.
BUSINESS: 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 the 10-week Citizen Police Academy starts September 11th. He said two officers will graduate from academy on the 17th and he thanked Atty. Weaver for all her support, wishing her the best of luck.
Acting Chief Brunoli said that on September 11th the North End Station will have a ceremony at 9:00 a.m.
He noted that Drakeville's Tanker will participate in a multi-company tanker drill with the manufacturer in Tolland, MA. He said it's good training for them, and good publicity for the City. In answer to Commissioner Benedetto's opposition, Acting Chief Brunoli said he will make sure there is additional coverage during those hours when the Tanker is in Massachusetts.
Acting Chief Brunoli reported that due to the generosity of the citizens of Torrington, the firefighters in Local 1567 collected $20,000 for MDA. We are one of the highest grossing departments for a one-day event, he said.
Acting Chief Brunoli acknowledged three newly hired firefighters in the audience who will be starting recruit classes on Monday. He also thanked Atty. Weaver from the Fire Department.
Atty. Weaver thanked everyone, saying it's been a very interesting 6 ½ years and she'll miss being here.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments.
Burrville reported that they have two new people attending fire school who will graduate in six or seven months from now. A Burrville VFD tee shirt was presented to Mayor Bingham.
Drakeville had no report.
Torringford said they are putting another truck in service and will be celebrating on September 30, 2012.
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to add to the agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Fire Chief Personnel, at 7:02 p.m., inviting Atty. Weaver.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:34 p.m.
BUSINESS: 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 Benedetto asked about the Police radio system. Deputy Chief Smedick said they are still working with Kenwood to come up with some solutions. The differences between an analog and a digital radio system were discussed.
Commissioner Potter asked about getting crosswalks at the intersection of Torringford West and New Harwinton Rd.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK |
Respectfully Submitted, Carol L. Anderson, CCTC Assistant City Clerk |
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