MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
January 7, 2013
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, January 7, 2013.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Raymond Rigat, Members of the Board of Public Safety Angelo LaMonica, Douglas Benedetto, Darlene Battle, James Potter and Richard Zaharek, Acting Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Officer Steven Pisarski, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous, Torringford Volunteer Firefighter Charles Marciano and Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Andrews. Commissioner Christopher Cook was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD:
Chief Brunoli recognized Marchell Rountree who performed community service at the Firehouse cleaning windows, blinds, and painting which saved the City thousands of dollars over the years. Chief Brunoli said Mr. Roundtree became one of the family at the Fire Department and will become a Volunteer Firefighter in Drakeville.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting held December 5, 2012.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Battle the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Police Department Personnel, inviting Chief Maniago, and Deputy Chief Smedick at 7:33 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:46 p.m.
PROMOTE POLICE OFFICERS TO SERGEANTS: Wityak, Dowd
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to promote Gregory Wityak to the position of Police Sergeant effective February 6, 2013.
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to promote Richard Dowd to the position of Police Sergeant effective February 6, 2013.
PURCHASE VEHICLE: Traffic Division
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted 4 to 1 to accept the Purchasing Agent's recommendation to purchase a one ton 4 x 4 extended cab with 6' utility body for the Traffic Division from Ray Seraphine Ford, Inc. of Rockville, CT in the amount of $37,644. Commissioner Benedetto was opposed.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Maniago's Report for November, 2012.
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 November, 2012.
Commissioner Benedetto remarked that 15 boot letters were sent out, with $314,000 in outstanding collections, and asked why no action has been taken. Chief Maniago said they are still in the middle of training.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Brunoli's report for November, 2012.
Commissioner Benedetto asked why Captains are being trained on burning permits. Chief Brunoli said the open burning class is now required by the State, and Captains go out to inspect the site.
In answer to Commissioner Benedetto's question, Chief Brunoli said that the engine being donated to Vermont will be picked up on Friday. Chief Brunoli reported on the Constitution USA project where PBS included some of Torrington's vacant structures in an upcoming documentary on the US Constitution and Amendments, part of which tied to a case in the Fire Service involving diversity. He said the City Seal can be seen in the background of the interview because they stood in front of a fire truck. Chief Brunoli said the Safe Kids Conference is a car seat class for recertification. He reported that Lt. Casper has been performing data entry since the dispatch transition began, some of which needs to be completed during off-duty hours in order to meet with David Scherf in Engineering.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Battle, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management report for November, 2012.
Commissioner Benedetto asked why Chief Brunoli is writing the Emergency Management Report. Chief Brunoli replied that the reports are submitted to him weekly anyway. Mayor Bingham pointed out that the Fire Chief supervises the Emergency Management Director.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal's Report for November, 2012.
TRAINING OFFICER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer's report for November, 2012.
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 November, 2012.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago reported that 'Remington' and Officer Cooling will be graduating Canine Academy within the next week and a half. He said 14 summons, infractions, and written or verbal warnings were issued at Dibble Street over 14 days' time. He reported that two officers are graduating from FTO and will work the midnight shift in the patrol division.
Chief Brunoli reported that three firefighters who were out on long-term disability are returning, and one Lt. will be out on sick leave. He said he received a couple of applications for the Deputy Chief position and they need to move forward on that. He asked to meet with the Fire Personnel Subcommittee to get something on the February 6th agenda.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments. The three departments wished everyone a Happy New Year, and Torringford reported that their annual Christmas Tree Sale went well.
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 Chief Maniago if Torrington has a standard operating procedure in place, in light of the Newtown tragedy. Chief Maniago replied that there is a policy in place for when his Officers arrive on the scene. He said he will be reviewing procedures with the Superintendent of Schools and his Command Staff is preparing a training program for the school system. He assured the Board that the Police will have a presence at schools where it is deemed necessary. Chief Maniago said it is important to keep perspective on what is occurring during events such as this, and to make sure that people are safe. He said his plan will make sense, will be effective and will involve the Fire Dept., Emergency Management, and Campion Ambulance.
Commissioner Potter noted that the new reports from LCD are very helpful, and thanked them.
Commissioner Battle said she is happy to see that there are procedures that will be put in place in our schools, and that she is also grateful for the new LCD reports.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:03 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK f
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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