MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
February 6, 2013
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, February 6, 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, Richard Zaharek and Christopher Cook, along with 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, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Andrews and Personnel Director Thomas Gritt. Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m.
LOCAL FIRE PREVENTION CONTEST AWARDS
Fire Marshal Thareau presented awards to four local winners of the annual fire prevention poster contest, Porfirio Gonzalez, Liangie Garcia, Kevin Loja and Brianna Szerbin. He noted that Liangie Garcia also won the contest at the county level. Fire Marshal Thareau thanked the Board of Education for supporting this program in our schools and thanked the Art Teachers for their efforts with helping students create the posters.
PROMOTIONS: Sgt. Wityak and Sgt. Dowd
Mayor Bingham took the oath of office from newly promoted Police Sergeants Gregory Wityak and Richard Dowd. Chief Maniago noted that Sgt. Dowd is a 15-year veteran of the Police Department, a member of the Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team, served on the major Accident Investigation Team and was the School Resource Officer at the high school. He said Sgt. Dowd is a very valuable member of the Police Department. Chief Maniago said that Sgt. Wityak is a 10-year member of the Department, serves on the Accident Investigation Team, was a School Resource Officer at the Middle School, and was a Field Training Officer for new recruits.
PRESENTATION: 25 YEARS' SERVICE
Chief Maniago presented 25-year awards to Capt. Todd Schaller, Lt. Kerwin Anders, Sgt. Joseph Locascio and Officer John Murphy.
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 7, 2013.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mr. Tim VanDeusen questioned the City's policy for vehicle lockout responses. Chief Brunoli clarified that the policy that only those who are locked out in emergency cases will be helped. He addressed the specific incident that Mr. VanDeusen may have been referring to, saying an officer made a decision that did not follow policy, and the matter was addressed.
Mr. VanDeusen complained, as a taxpayer, that this town is bleeding red ink, and money shouldn't be spent foolishly. Mayor Bingham said that every effort is made to reduce costs, and has been for a number of years.
POLICE OFFICERS: F. Sandquist and K. Albert
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Probationary Officer Kevin Albert and Probationary Officer Farren Sandquist as regular members of the Torrington Police Department effective 1/16/2013 after having successfully completed their probationary period. Chief Maniago said both officers performed very nicely with high standards on their evaluations.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session under Fire Department Personnel, inviting Chief Brunoli, and Mr. Gritt at 6:54 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to enter Open Session at 7:32 p.m.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF: C. Pepler
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to promote Christopher Pepler to the position of Deputy Fire Chief, effective immediately.
FIRE LIEUTENANT: M. Capell
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to promote Mark Capell to the position of Fire Lieutenant, effective February 10, 2013.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Chief Gary Brunoli's Report for December, 2012.
Commissioner Benedetto asked for a more descriptive explanation of each call, particularly "service call" and "public service." Chief Brunoli said he would do that if he were given the date and time in question.
FIRE SERVICE PLAN
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Brunoli's Fire Service Plan dated January 7, 2013.
Chief Brunoli explained how the plan was created and listed some of the highlights such as taking the burden of time off the Volunteer Service so they can concentrate on Service Delivery. He described the four parts of the plan which are 1) Organization, 2) Training, 3) Fire Prevention/Education/Inspection/Code Enforcement, and Implementation. Chief Brunoli explained his Internship plan which will increase interaction between the departments and bring training to an even level. He said that implementing the plan won't be easy, will take a lot of work from a lot of people, but it will accomplish what everyone has requested for a lot of years.
Commissioner Benedetto asked what the cost savings are to the City. Chief Brunoli said that in-house training costs $8,500, while sending only one firefighter to the academy costs $19,000.
Commissioner Potter said the plan touches on everything they've been talking about and commended Chief Brunoli for it.
DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL
On a motion by Commissioner LaMonica, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to promote Firefighter Jared Howe to the position of Deputy Fire Marshal, effective February 24, 2013.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Report for December 2012.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if the Emergency Management Director will attend meetings. Mayor Bingham said they conflict with his work schedule. Chief Brunoli said that he writes the reports based on information submitted to him.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Fire Marshal Tim Tharau's Report for December 2012.
TRAINING OFFICER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept Training Officer Larry Hepburn’s Report for December 2012.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Michael Maniago’s Report for December 2012.
Commissioner Potter questioned the left turn signal at Kennedy Drive. Chief Maniago said they had a resolution but that has gone by the wayside. Officer Pisarski said the new clinic project on Kennedy Drive will include redoing that intersection at their expense. Chief Maniago added that it would be a costly venture.
Commissioner Potter asked about the crosswalk at Rt. 4 and Torringford West St. Chief Maniago said that has been referred to the State.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about the recertification training in West Hartford. Chief Maniago said it is going very well and explained the overtime payments for travel time and explained "Blue Team," the early warning system.
OFFICER PISARSKI’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Steven Pisarski's Traffic Division Report for December 2012. Chief Maniago said the new Traffic Clerk is doing a very good job and has been well received. Commissioner Benedetto asked if anyone is certified for Commercial Vehicle Inspections. Officer Pisarski replied that he has to return for more training.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner LaMonica, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report for December 2012.
BUSINESS: DEPT. HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago reported that the new canine 'Remington' and Officer Cooling are on patrol. The dog is outstanding, behaves well and is good with the public, he said. There are now three canines on patrol.
Chief Maniago said there will be personnel interviews on February 13th for the police officer opening.
Commissioner Cook left the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
Mayor Bingham announced that the March 6th meeting will be moved to March 20th if there's a quorum.
BUSINESS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Battle, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Volunteer Fire Departments.
Burrville reported that one firefighter graduated from Firefighter One and has graduated to a black helmet status. Burrville now has 5 black helmet firefighters, he said.
Drakeville and Torringford congratulated the newly promoted.
BUSINESS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
All Commissioners congratulated the newly promoted.
Commissioner Zaharek asked for an update on the radio system. Chief Maniago said NE Communications of Naugatuck, CT is currently reviewing the analog system at no charge, along with replacing some equipment, bringing the transmitter levels into sync and identifying other issues such as interference from other agencies.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Chief Maniago about the school plan. Chief Maniago said a team comprised of Police, Fire and Board of Education administrative and maintenance personnel has been created to perform both infrastructure and policy audits of all the schools. He said he would like to include the EMS provider as well. Mayor Bingham said this effort has been expanded to include City Hall.
Commissioner Potter asked if the State could be requested to perform commercial truck inspections. Chief Maniago agreed.
Commissioner Battle asked when the school plan would be completed. Chief Maniago said this will be a lengthy, time-consuming process, with inspections scheduled all the way through April. She said the Fire Plan is well thought-out and is looking forward to implementing it.
Mayor Bingham reported that Torrington has been recertified for another three years as a Heart Safe Community.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:12 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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